how do you do it?

[Oss]

I mean go for a bike ride when its 90 degrees plus and 90 % humdidity day after day

Havent been on the Valk in 2 weeks now

I took the beemer (can lower windshield all the way down electrically) to work one nice day (I thought)
as it was low 70's on way to work but on the way home
the 100 degree plus road heat roasted my brain. Even at 80mph it was like a blast furnace

Had to sit on the bottom of the pool when I got home and now even the pool is 88 degrees

Give me 40-50 degree days any time

Heck I even love riding down to freezing or below if the road is dry

Cant wait for fall

If you want to come to my Columbus day ride please let me know so I can give you the hotel info  It will likely be in the 60's maybe 70 the 1st week of October

[six2go #152]

I'm with ya Oss. My bike gets stored pretty much twice a year. Once during the snow & ice months, and again from the end of June until mid to late September.

[Hook#3287]

I mean go for a bike ride when its 90 degrees plus and 90 % humdidity day after day

I don't.   Got a ride in Sunday, as it wasn't too bad here.  Got up to Mt Greylock at about 10am, before the crowd showed.  Nice.

Yesterday, got out after 7 pm for a quick ride about.  Don't like riding after dark, if it can be helped.

[The emperor has no clothes]

60's and 70's sounds pretty damn good. I figured I would need to bring the electric vest for my wife.
115* here but only 20% humidity. I'm good for an hour or so. I have to cool down after that.

[therapist]

I got my fill of hot/humid riding weather on the way to InZane in Colorado. One of the hottest weeks on record and it about killed my amigos and I.

My wife and I took a four hour ride last year during such weather, and I was sick for days. Never again. That monster engine of ours gives off crazy heat.

[sleepngbear]

75-80 is about ideal for me. I'll go out in the mid to upper 80's as long as I'm likely to be moving steadily at a good clip and not hit traffic. Not too fond of 90's and above. Though the Valk is going to be the first bike I've had in quite awhile with no windshield (yet), so that could change. Going the other way, I'll ride down to about 50, but below that I have to bundle up too much to be comfortable. 40's maybe, if I know it's going to warm up before I'm done. I'm a finicky rider, which might explain why I usually don't put more than 4k on a bike in a single season.  

[Serk]

Ya' take lots of breaks, keep your shirt wet, and try to time traffic lights where you stop in shade.

Just checked, my backyard weather station is reporting only 40% humidity right now, but at 107 degrees it's pretty bad... Heat index of 124... Woot!

Oh... and do NOT use a black helmet!!!

[Willow]

My perfect riding temperature is something between ninety and ninety-five degrees (F).  I can ride above one hundred but it is warm.  I don't know how well I would manage living someplace that was one hundred fifteen or more.

I don't really like air conditioning a lot.  I think one of the reasons our forefathers conquered the west was because they hadn't been ruined by a dependency on cold air.

I rode a bit at lunch time.  It was high eighties, a little cool but I managed.

Oh, humidity.  I grew up in the suburbs of Oklahoma City.  Today I live in the suburbs of Kansas City.  Sometimes I wonder what you all are talking about when you complain of the humidity.  

[Daniel Meyer]

Heh...I love the heat...but yanno...I'm one of those questionable Texican types.

I suppose it all depends entirely on what you are looking for...maybe...

http://lifeisaroad.com/blog/2010/07/28/can-you-tell-me-friends-that-its-not-about-the-pain/

[Willow]

I checked the rules.  We really shouldn't use the word, pussies, on this board.  We can say pantywaist but we need to be careful how we place it.   

[fudgie]

Short jaunts im ok with or when traveling Im fine.

Last yr going to the Little Bighorn my temp on my radio said 107 and that is while moving at 65 mph. I was ok with it but at about the 6th hr of it I was done with it. There was no humidity, well compared to Ind, but was just hot on your face. The gf loved it. 

Question is how can they do it with a helmet on.  Ive seen folks take their helmet off and there face was all sorts of narley lookin.

[solo1]

I find that I can handle hot much better than cold.

In some ways I'm glad that I quit riding.  The arthritis was bad in the cold.  It seems to like heat much better.

The Miata works just fine for me up to about 90 degrees, (higher with low humidity),  than the top goes up and the AC goes on.

Say what you will, call me anything that you want,  I earned my retirement from riding. A plus is that I no longer write stories about riding .  In fact i don't write many stories any more.  Riding for me, was good for stories.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I checked the rules.  We really shouldn't use the word, pussies, on this board.  We can say pantywaist but we need to be careful how we place it.   

Do Pussywillows pass the test ? 

[henry 008]

"If you want to come to my Columbus day ride please let me know so I can give you the hotel info  It will likely be in the 60's maybe 70 the 1st week of October"

you comin to Columbus Ohiya in October? 

[Hook#3287]

I checked the rules.  We really shouldn't use the word, pussies, on this board.  We can say pantywaist but we need to be careful how we place it.   

Do Pussywillows pass the test ?  Wink

Yeah, well, sticks and stones etc, etc.   I get my miles in.

Had a riding buddy pass out behind the bars one day from heat, while on the interstate.     He's a ATGATT guy and was wearing full leathers and full helmet. 

That's the reason he got away easy and also the reason he passed out.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I checked the rules.  We really shouldn't use the word, pussies, on this board.  We can say pantywaist but we need to be careful how we place it.   

Do Pussywillows pass the test ?  Wink

Yeah, well, sticks and stones etc, etc.   I get my miles in.

Had a riding buddy pass out behind the bars one day from heat, while on the interstate.     He's a ATGATT guy and was wearing full leathers and full helmet. 

That's the reason he got away easy and also the reason he passed out.

Hey Bill, I hope my remark didn't come across as passing judgement on you or anyone else. I was just making a smartass remark towards Willow. 

[Oss]

coming back from Lacrosse with Gman I had the early heavy version of the hit air mesh jacket and we hit rush hour in Chicago getting the wives to the airport and then down to 80  That was one hot ass IZ trip as have many lol

gman had heat exhaustion (no jacket on)

I had the evaporative vest and was tired but functioning

My thing is to fill gallon bags with ice and at rest stops put the ice bag inside the helmet then wash my face with cool water and get the vest nice and wet  Good for another hour at 100+ out but that dont mean I am having a great time walking the bike in traffic. That sucks no matter the temps

[msb]

I'm with ya Oss. My bike gets stored pretty much twice a year. Once during the snow & ice months, and again from the end of June until mid to late September.

Boy, that's a pretty short riding season you have there. I guess we're lucky here in the Southwestern part of BC where it's not too hot or humid in the Summer months and not too cold in the Winter months, so most years you can get a ride in each of the 12 months. I find I'm most comfortable anywhere between 55 & 85 F without any extra precautions.
Road through a good part of Indiana on the way to Inzane this year, and yeah...it was pretty hot and dry....my water bottle was always full and close at hand.

[six2go #152]

I'm with ya Oss. My bike gets stored pretty much twice a year. Once during the snow & ice months, and again from the end of June until mid to late September.

Boy, that's a pretty short riding season you have there. I guess we're lucky here in the Southwestern part of BC where it's not too hot or humid in the Summer months and not too cold in the Winter months, so most years you can get a ride in each of the 12 months. I find I'm most comfortable anywhere between 55 & 85 F without any extra precautions.
Road through a good part of Indiana on the way to Inzane this year, and yeah...it was pretty hot and dry....my water bottle was always full and close at hand.

Well, it's a self imposed season. The second part of that is variable depending on the temps on a given day. Been on a bike for about 57 years and just don't feel the need to ride if things aren't just the way I like them.

[msb]

Been on a bike for about 57 years and just don't feel the need to ride if things aren't just the way I like them.

Yup, you've got your fair share of riding in that's for sure ... makes perfect sense to me

[sleepngbear]

Well, it's a self imposed season. The second part of that is variable depending on the temps on a given day. Been on a bike for about 57 years and just don't feel the need to ride if things aren't just the way I like them.

'Zactly how I feel about it, though I've only been around just a bit longer than you've been on a bike. 

[Hook#3287]

I checked the rules.  We really shouldn't use the word, pussies, on this board.  We can say pantywaist but we need to be careful how we place it.   

Do Pussywillows pass the test ?  Wink

Yeah, well, sticks and stones etc, etc.   I get my miles in.

Had a riding buddy pass out behind the bars one day from heat, while on the interstate.     He's a ATGATT guy and was wearing full leathers and full helmet. 

That's the reason he got away easy and also the reason he passed out.

Hey Bill, I hope my remark didn't come across as passing judgement on you or anyone else. I was just making a smartass remark towards Willow. 

Not at all, I enjoy your ass remarks, (Not to sure about the smart part)   

[Beardo]

I was pretty surprised on my road trip last week...was very hot, got stopped at a traffic light...the rpm's dipped a bit and the beast let out a strange sound. The fan kicked in. Had never heard it before.  . At least I know it works.

Most of my riding is to and from work, so not in the heat of the day, or in the evening. Trips are the only time I really ride in the heat.  And on the road, it doesn't really bother me that much. I actually always wear my leather jacket, even in the heat. It's got really good ventilation, it isn't hot at all. Except at traffic lights, which by plan aren't that often on trips.

Also wear my modular helmet all the time. Flip up the whole front if it's really hot, just the shield if it's warm.

With our 6 month winters, I'll ride in the heat. If I didn't, I'd have about a 1 month ridin season.

But I do feel for you guys further south in the summer. In the winter...I hate you all.

[Jersey mike]

many years ago I wouldn't think twice about riding on a hot summer day in full summer time riding gear; half helmet, shorts sneakers and a tank top. Those days are long gone now.

Now in the recent heat we've been having I've been waiting until evening to get miles in, usually home by nightfall, just after sunset.

[art]

60's and 70's sounds pretty damn good. I figured I would need to bring the electric vest for my wife.
115* here but only 20% humidity. I'm good for an hour or so. I have to cool down after that.

But it's a DRY heat.   105 here today.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Still ridin' back and forth to work every day and sometimes take a short 15 minute ride at lunch and spend the other 15 minutes scarfing my lunch. It's about a 30 minute ride, in  the morning just after dawn i wear my helmet, T shirt and bibs. Headed home and at lunch, as long as it's not raining the helmet stays on the back rest and I wear a pirate hanky on my head to keep the sun from boring into it. Although most of our plant is air-conditioned, my 2nd floor shop isn't. Ridin' at lunch, ridin' to pickup parts and ridin' home gives me a chance to dry out even when it's hot.

Taking a big trip in the heat I'd keep the (open face) helmet on and wear a light, long sleeved, unbuttoned shirt over a T shirt and maybe mechanics gloves with the fingers cut off.

My problem with riding in the heat is the damn bee and wasps. I've got 5 welts on my back now from a wasp or yellow-jacket that wound up in my bibs on my way home Monday. Was taking the scenic route between the cornfields on the way home and I guess he was too. That's all right, I've got welts, pretty sure I left my stinging compadre crushed along the road.  

Of course, the air-conditioning in my truck hasn't worked in 2 years. Just doesn't seem important enough to spend money on. Only drive it on Fridays to pick up my grandson and when it's raining this time of year anyway.

[Pappy!]

Long sleeved quick drying fishing shirt then an evaporative cooling vest then a mesh jacket if on a long haul in the 90+ temps.
The shirt flows air great and wicks moisture away from the body.
The evaporative cooling vest feels like air conditioning to your body. Lasts most of a tank of gas.
The mesh jacket flows enough air to run the vest yet not dry it too quickly.
Yes, Mildred, the vests do work very well in Florida's miserably high humidity!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Long sleeved quick drying fishing shirt then an evaporative cooling vest then a mesh jacket if on a long haul in the 90+ temps.
The shirt flows air great and wicks moisture away from the body.
The evaporative cooling vest feels like air conditioning to your body. Lasts most of a tank of gas.
The mesh jacket flows enough air to run the vest yet not dry it too quickly.
Yes, Mildred, the vests do work very well in Florida's miserably high humidity!

Pappy, I remember you talking about those shirts before. But I forget what brand and where you got them ?

[cookiedough]

Yah,  80% or more humidity and can almost cut the air with a knife, or so it seems.

I don't do it much either but glad I bought a modular helmet for in this 90+ heat and 80-90% humidity,  I have to open my helmet at city speeds slower than 40 mph for is hard for me to breath otherwise if I had a full faced helmet, not modular that opens.

I drink lots of cold liquids though in my barefoot willie cupholder and that seems to help get me thru 50 mile rides or so.   Say what you want,  but shorts and t-shirt work good for me I just don't like bluejeans and long sleeved shirts in hot weather. 

[MarkT]

It's just nice here in the high country pretty much all the time.  Not humid, this is semi-arid desert. Can ride year round though have to be selective in the winter and not into the really high country.  Have to tolerate the 90's for a couple weeks out of the summer but again the humidity is typically 15-25%.  Need to be prepared for winter conditions even in July if you go high.  No problem.  Putting on another layer or turning on the electrics - I can always stay warm.  I find I have to do the evaporative vests, soaked shirts under mesh jackets, and those kinds of efforts only if I leave Colorado.  The Baker wings are great for managing the heat and the cool.  Getting soft in my age though.  The popup camper has A/C and that was NICE at Inzane.  Now I've added elect brakes to help handle the weight.

[msb]

Long sleeved quick drying fishing shirt then an evaporative cooling vest then a mesh jacket if on a long haul in the 90+ temps.
The shirt flows air great and wicks moisture away from the body.
The evaporative cooling vest feels like air conditioning to your body. Lasts most of a tank of gas.
The mesh jacket flows enough air to run the vest yet not dry it too quickly.
Yes, Mildred, the vests do work very well in Florida's miserably high humidity!

Pappy, I remember you talking about those shirts before. But I forget what brand and where you got them ?

Any Cabelas or other such outdoors store would carry them in the fishing section. I have several I use for fly fishing and they do work great on the bike as well...very light, wick the sweat away and are UV resistant as well. There are also long sleeve t-shirts similar to Under Armor garments but looser fitting, that you can get at sporting goods places that do the same thing....even in our comparatively "mild" hot Summer months I like to ride with long sleeves if not wearing a jacket on shorter rides.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Long sleeved quick drying fishing shirt then an evaporative cooling vest then a mesh jacket if on a long haul in the 90+ temps.
The shirt flows air great and wicks moisture away from the body.
The evaporative cooling vest feels like air conditioning to your body. Lasts most of a tank of gas.
The mesh jacket flows enough air to run the vest yet not dry it too quickly.
Yes, Mildred, the vests do work very well in Florida's miserably high humidity!

Pappy, I remember you talking about those shirts before. But I forget what brand and where you got them ?

Any Cabelas or other such outdoors store would carry them in the fishing section. I have several I use for fly fishing and they do work great on the bike as well...very light, wick the sweat away and are UV resistant as well. There are also long sleeve t-shirts similar to Under Armor garments but looser fitting, that you can get at sporting goods places that do the same thing....even in our comparatively "mild" hot Summer months I like to ride with long sleeves if not wearing a jacket on shorter rides.

Thanks, we have not much in the way of outdoors stores here. But the next time I'm in Vegas I'll check it out. 

[RDKLL]

I was already to tell you how I was going to ride the Valk to work today. I would have been wearing my new Schuberth flip helmet, jeans, boots and mesh. Morning temps in the low 90's and would be about 112* this afternoon...
...but just a little too much chance of getting wet...I will be in the car. Those are the temps this time of year in Mesa...granted, it is only 20 miles round trip, not sure I would be going on long trips

[Hooter]

When it's much over 85 I don't ride. I don't  care how fast you go it isn't  enjoyable at all. You said it, a blast furnace. Maybe for people that live south and ride year around it isn't  so bad cause they are more acculamated  (?) But high heat and humidity make riding miserable.  Just my opinion. Kinda like riding in the rain. I don't intentionally,  but if I have to I will.

[Jess from VA]

Rob, here is the link Pappy posted months back on those long sleeve fishing shirts.

I have a Cabela's (more bells and whistles and more expensive) and it's great in the heat/sun.

I forgot about it till you asked.

Some of the colors are pretty gay (as in happy).  Feather gray looks good for the desert.

http://www.beallsflorida.com/online/reel-legends-mens-freeline-long-sleeve-shirt

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob, here is the link Pappy posted months back on those long sleeve fishing shirts.

I have a Cabela's (more bells and whistles and more expensive) and it's great in the heat/sun.

I forgot about it till you asked.

Some of the colors are pretty gay (as in happy).  Feather gray looks good for the desert.

http://www.beallsflorida.com/online/reel-legends-mens-freeline-long-sleeve-shirt

Thanks Jess. Gray will be fine. I could be considered a miserable bastard, not even close to happy. 

[Jess from VA]

My Cabela's fishing shirt appears to be a pretty heavy material, but when you wear it, it's like riding with no shirt at all (except it keeps the sun off you).

[0leman]

Wednesday rode over the hill (read Cascades) to visit my Mom.   It was mid 60's when I left at 0800.  It was already in the 80's and hour and half later when I hit her home.   Didn't leave till 1300.  It was pushing 95 when I left.  Usually its cooler on our side of the Mountain but was 95 when I hit town. At least the top of the hill was cooler, by maybe 15 degrees.   Heat wave due to large high pressure sitting on us.   Anyway, mesh jacket, tank top, Kevlar jeans, and boots.  Yeah it was hot.  This time of year try to ride in the mornings, spend the afternoons in the AC.

[BobB]

I purchased two of the fishing guide shirts from Shields and Gander Mountain after first seeing them worn at Inzane.  They are great in the heat which this northern boy doesn't do well with.  Looking forward to a Twin Cities and Milwaukee meet in the middle tomorrow.  Expected high only 78^oF.  It will only be 59^o when I get started, but a dry hydro-vest under the mesh jacket takes care of that...

[J.Mencalice]

Rob, here is the link Pappy posted months back on those long sleeve fishing shirts.

I have a Cabela's (more bells and whistles and more expensive) and it's great in the heat/sun.

I forgot about it till you asked.

Some of the colors are pretty gay (as in happy).  Feather gray looks good for the desert.

http://www.beallsflorida.com/online/reel-legends-mens-freeline-long-sleeve-shirt

Do you know if their sizing is right on or does it pay to go a size larger or smaller; shrinkage over time?
Website says they are having a 40% off sale this weekend and free shipping with $50 purchase!
Thank you.