Triumphrat

jackelmatador · 06-01-2006

So I was riding my bike yesterday and the thermometer outside was a nice 95 degrees F for my 30 minute commute. I was ok going 50mph+ but anything slower and I was baking. Red lights were torture. I had my summer mesh jacket on, along with dockers and my boots. I think with some summer boots that allow some airflow I might be able to handle the high temps, but DAM it was hot. I rode last summer in the 100+ weather and that is just plan unbearable. I could get some of those vests that you moisten to keep you cool, but why bother. I am in California so I don't need anything to keep me warmer. With the current gear I have I realize my comfortable riding range is 38-90.

It got me thinking what is everyone elses comfort range?

Golfinc · 06-01-2006

Here in NC, when it hits the low 90's I start to think twice. Doesn't mean I won't ride in the twisties or highway but around town trips are out. Why bake unless you have to.

If the temps are going up I'll ride to work in the morning and back home, missing the hottest part of the day. That's not too bad.

xSpeed3x · 06-01-2006

90's is like spring time to us.

When it hits over 110 I have trouble passing up my trucks AC.

At least it cools down to a nice 92 at night.

Right now at 3:26 it's 109 at my house.

rckrzy1 · 06-01-2006

In Texas we would have to park are bikes all summer if we
were bothered by the heat. It's a humid 95+ every summer day.

I wear a silver helmet, silver mesh jacket (no dark colors).
I look forward to the moring commute when it's 75F.

SilverDawg · 06-01-2006

Depends on the area as well. In WA state, I can ride at 95 in the eastern half as it is a "dry heat". With the humity on the west side I'm complaining over 85.
If it's too hot, I don't take off my leather jacket, I just dampen a t-shirt underneath. No problem unless you get stuck commuting in stop and go.

jackelmatador · 06-01-2006

I can ride in 100+ weather, and I do, I just don't think it is really comfortable. I don't want to sound girly/fruity but sitting at a red light covered in sweat just aint fun (especially with a full faced helmet on).

109 ***** that is hot, I would start sweating just walking from my office to the bike!!!!!!!!

Sparti · 06-01-2006

From one hot country to another this is what i have found...

Breeze jackets are great but only up to a certain temp. If the outside temp is 37c (99f) or higher (which is our body temp) then the breeze jackets don't work. In fact they cause the body to get hotter. Think of doing 60mph in 37c (99f) temps as like a fan forced oven. The idea of a breeze jacket is to blow away the heat that collects around the body (like a ceiling fan), if the breeze is hotter than the temp around the body you start to cook.

There are 2 solutions...

1. Wear a damp T-Shirt under the breeze jacket. i did this a lot last summer and it worked a treat. At the end of some trips in 40-43 c temps my upper body was cold.

2. As scary as this might sound the only other option is insulate yourself from the heat just like fire fighters do before going into a burning building - yes that means putting layers on, not taking them off. They have to be the correct layers though. Just putting your winter jackets on may not work.

We don't have this problem at the moment in Melbourne Australia - its winter!

cyclerider105 · 06-02-2006

Here in Northern Ca it will get 110 degrees in the summer months. The Vanson Vent Max jacket/shirt is the best thing I have found for super hot weather. Nearly as cool as just a T-shirt, but a lot more protection!

RedNeck-Rat · 06-02-2006

I'm with xspeed3x,

90 Degrees is a nice summer temp here for us. It's when we pass 105 that is really starts to suck, but I ride all the time regardless, just try to go out more when the sun goes down. 95 at night isn't too bad.

cheapbastard · 06-02-2006

Quote:

On 2006-06-01 14:52, Golfinc wrote:
Here in NC, when it hits the low 90's I start to think twice. Doesn't mean I won't ride in the twisties or highway but around town trips are out. Why bake unless you have to.

If the temps are going up I'll ride to work in the morning and back home, missing the hottest part of the day. That's not too bad.

I'm with Golf, you won't see me cruising around town when it's above 90. Yeah I still ride to work, but as he said, usually miss the hottest part of the day like that.