Dealing with heat

[Barend de Arend]

Dunno if it's the right forum.  It's Q&A about cooling tech, not gears and wheels.

I'm cycling to Durban in a few months, and I normally suffer
in the heat.  I'd like to know some tips of dealing with it.

I struggle with headaches, heat spots, and sunburn when it heats up too much.

Currently,
for those conditions, I put sunscreen everywhere -- but my scalp gets
burned through the helmet, and through my hair.  I put sunscreen on the
scalp as much as possible, but there's very little I can do to
sunscreen the scalp where there is hair.

I put ice in my helmet
(in the vents) and pour water down my neck and back regularly.  This is
about as much as I can do.  I've been thinking of strapping an ice pack
to my back -- but once it has melted, what do you do with it?

I've
been thinking of using a casquette, soaking it in water, putting it in
the freezer, and using that to (a) cool me down, and (b) block the sun
on my scalp.  I can put it in the car until the first stop, and then
wear it.  Does anyone else have any better ideas?

[Tumbleweed]

problem with the sunscreen is reapplying when you're already sweaty. the polarpak(?) hydration park?i know, wrong for a roadie?had gel inserts in the bladder. you put the bladder in the freezer overnight, and it stayed cooler for longer.

 

what about a buff, etc, for under the helmet?

 

holy roller2009-08-11 04:16:52

[pastapouch]

be carefull with putting ice and water on your head when youre warm, that may just be causing worse headaches. For burning and keeping your head cool theres CoolX headgear for that.

[Barend de Arend]

 

problem with the sunscreen is reapplying when you're already sweaty. the polarpak(?) hydration park?i know' date=' wrong for a roadie?had gel inserts in the bladder. you put the bladder in the freezer overnight, and it stayed cooler for longer.

 

what about a buff, etc, for under the helmet?

 

[/quote']

 

Keeping drink cool is easy.  It's keeping my body cool that's the problem.

 

Will a buff help with cooling, or will it heat me up?  I'd normally guess it will heat me up.

 

[WR 1.0]

Did a ride down to Durban in April over 4 days. Used compression vests, they help wick away the sweat and seems to keep you cool. Had no problem wearing a buff all the way.

[Barend de Arend]

 

be carefull with putting ice and water on your head when youre warm' date=' that may just be causing worse headaches.[/quote']

 

It seems to help on the indoor trainer, and pouring ice water down my back has helped in the past when cycling in the heat.  I will concede that it's usually down my neck and back, not my head.

 

For burning and keeping your head cool theres CoolX headgear for that.

 

Googling CoolX... yields X-Ray scanners   Doh!  Where can I obtain some?

 

[Tumbleweed]

problem with the sunscreen is reapplying when you're already sweaty. the polarpak(?) hydration park?i know' date=' wrong for a roadie?had gel inserts in the bladder. you put the bladder in the freezer overnight, and it stayed cooler for longer.

 

what about a buff, etc, for under the helmet?

 

[/quote']

Keeping drink cool is easy.  It's keeping my body cool that's the problem.

Will a buff help with cooling, or will it heat me up?  I'd normally guess it will heat me up.

 

i thought the cooler bladder would help keep your back cool for longer. if the buff is kept wet, it should be ok. 

[Spinnekop]

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=61242

[Barend de Arend]

 

Did a ride down to Durban in April over 4 days. Used compression vests' date=' they help wick away the sweat and seems to keep you cool. Had no problem wearing a buff all the way.[/quote']

 

Will try (vests and buff).  I'd have never guessed compression vests.

 

 

[WR 1.0]

Got the tip from a fellow hubber, works for me! It also helps with nipple rash if you are riding with bibs

[svm3000]

cycle dow to durbs in winter  Duh

[obree]

Have a look at www.outwet.it We import these shirts and the warm weather ones works great. They look like the old string vest Gramps used to wear. They basically keep your shirt away from your skin, so the air can flow. Lots of Euro pros wear them.

But nothing is magic and you wont find any garment that will suddenly make you not get hot whilst riding in conditions of high humidity !!

[Azonic]

I find sunblock is key. Usually my performance seriously suffers in very hot days. Did a race in Oudshoorn years back, 3 day MTB stage race, temps were around 40 degrees the whole time. Sunblock every piece of skin that is exposed, arms, legs and neck (as well as nose). And I mean cake it on and rub in properly. Doing that I found that the sun didn't "sting" as bad as usual.

[Borriz]

I wear stupid bandanas or any piece of cloth you can find that is fairly thin and won't overheat your head. A buff is perfect if you don't fold it double. Only problem for me is the remaining half that sticks out your helmet. Thats why I use bandanas - took square "table cloth" like sheet of material and cut it in half across the diagonal. Never suffered from any sunburn.

 

Not that I use these vests, but it makes sense. Use to do this when playing cricket. Guys thought I was over heating. Infact the opposite.

 

Do you cycle with cycling jersey or t-shirt?

 

As for your head aches and stuff. Seeing that your over heating I'm almost sure you sweat a lot. Take rehydrate with you. Drink one every 90-120minutes and after your ride. I never go anywhere without these babies - or some spare!

[Barend de Arend]

OK, I'm gonna try the bandana thing.  Thanks everyone.

 

(I already use a cycling jersey, rehydrats, massive amounts of sunscreen, etc.)

 

[Red Zone]

How long have you been riding, you may need some time to get conditioned to the heat. The fitter you get the better your body will cope. Make sure you are well hydrated BEFORE you ride. You could possibly just be babalas?