Riding on Code Red Heat Days

[Bytemi]

I pay very close attention to weather every morning when deciding if I will ride. This is mainly to look out for rain and heat. Because of the MS, if it is too hot I can't ride. When I over heat, I start losing function. So this morning I took my daugher to camp on the Spyder because I promised and she held up her end of the deal, but then had to return home, put the Spyder in the garage and switch to the hybrid. 96 degrees today with a heat index of 106, I would melt quickly on the Spyder and hurt myself or someone else.

I have tried an evaporation vest and a phase changing vest but neither keep my body temperature where it needs to be. So I ordered a buff for my head and an ice tie for my neck yesterday. Hope that the combination of the phase changing vest, buff and tie will keep me cool enough to ride in the heat. Does anyone have any other ideas of what I can do to prevent from over heating on really hot days?

 

[bone crusher]

Won't do it...no reason. It's simply not any fun to be riding when it's 95 degrees and humid...that's what air conditioning is for, IMHO... Plus, getting heat exhaustion or worse is really not a smart thing to do, especially when you're on a bike...

 

[Huntindawg1962]

Ya- I equate heat exhaustion to the same as hypothermia, drinking, and sunburn. You don't know it is a problem or coming on till it is already a problem - then you are chasing it. If you are on a bike you tend to push yourself to "make it to the destination" as nobody ever wants to pull off and call for help.

 

[bone crusher]

Ya- I equate heat exhaustion to the same as hypothermia, drinking, and sunburn. You don't know it is a problem or coming on till it is already a problem - then you are chasing it. If you are on a bike you tend to push yourself to "make it to the destination" as nobody ever wants to pull off and call for help.

So true...great points...by the time you're losing mental capacity, it's too late...

 

[Bob Denman]

So true...great points...by the time you're losing mental capacity, it's too late...

I lost all of mine years ago... I'll ride as long as the ice on the road doesn't have salt on it yet...
heat... Mind over matter; If you don't have a mind then it don't matter!

But I DO actually make sure that there's lots of ventiliation in my riding gear and a bottle of water in the trunk! :thumbup:

 

[Bytemi]

So true...great points...by the time you're losing mental capacity, it's too late...

Yes, that is probably true for most people, but I am accutely aware of my body and how it is functioning because of the MS. Trust me I know my limits and I know when I am going down before it happens. I have pulled over and called my husband and told him to come and get me. There is a line for me, it is big, bold and black and I don't cross it. I was just wonder if there were any other cooling devices that I was unaware of.

 

[arntufun]

So true...great points...by the time you're losing mental capacity, it's too late...

Holly says I lost mental capacity a long time ago. :roflblack:
:roflblack:


Today we will find out about the heat. It is going to 93 today and tomorrow with the heat index over 100. :yikes: Stay thirsty my friends. :thumbup:

 

[bone crusher]

Yes, that is probably true for most people, but I am accutely aware of my body and how it is functioning because of the MS. Trust me I know my limits and I know when I am going down before it happens. I have pulled over and called my husband and told him to come and get me. There is a line for me, it is big, bold and black and I don't cross it. I was just wonder if there were any other cooling devices that I was unaware of.

I am diabetic, so I know what you're talking about! Unfortunately, too many on the road are not responsible and that can lead to problems.

 

[Bob Denman]

Type I or Type II?
Type I here; 47 years...

 

[Bytemi]

I am diabetic, so I know what you're talking about! Unfortunately, too many on the road are not responsible and that can lead to problems.

Totally agree, but I can only be responsible for myself and my actions. If I can find a way to ride safely I will, if not, the Spyder will go back home and I will take my hybrid with solar powered AC so the car is always the right temperature. I find some creative solutions sometimes. hyea:

 

[mooneych]

Code Red

I packed a t-shirt and shorts for the ride home because I'm not doing it in office clothes. I will, however, hydrate well this afternoon before the trip home. I have plans to stop and get a drink if the traffic is slow.

 

[bikeguy]

I don't have any suggestions other than what you're already doing. I really like the evaporative cooling vests but mine is worn out so I'm gonna have to get a new one. I think a lot of it is what you are used to. If I didn't ride with temps in the mid 90's and above, I'd have to give up riding for 4 or 5 months of the year. You northerners ride in low temps that I wouldn't even consider riding in. All depends on what you're used to.

Cotton

 

[spydee owner]

Holly says I lost mental capacity a long time ago. :roflblack:
:roflblack:


Today we will find out about the heat. It is going to 93 today and tomorrow with the heat index over 100. :yikes: Stay thirsty my friends. :thumbup:

sure way to keep cool..........beer and air conditioning, beer and the back yard, beer and the beach etc. etc.

 

[Bytemi]

I don't have any suggestions other than what you're already doing. I really like the evaporative cooling vests but mine is worn out so I'm gonna have to get a new one. I think a lot of it is what you are used to. If I didn't ride with temps in the mid 90's and above, I'd have to give up riding for 4 or 5 months of the year. You northerners ride in low temps that I wouldn't even consider riding in. All depends on what you're used to.

Cotton

What size are you? I have a large evaporation vest only worn once. Pay shipping and I will send it to you. I think it is blue, I would have to check when I get home.

 

[bone crusher]

Type I or Type II?
Type I here; 47 years...

Type I...31 years...I knew there was a reason I like you so much!

 

[Sny]

Good find Dale

Their IsoPro Personal Cooling system specifically mentions MS patients with heat issues. My brother (who also has MS) looked at these and another water circulating version. I'll try and find it.

 

[mhoecker]

I choose not to ride on these super hot days. Dehydration is a real possibility and that results in decreased brain function. I don't have much of a margin in that area to begin with, so I play it safe and drive the car if I must get out on a miserable day.

Madonna

 

[Bytemi]

How about a cool suit?

http://ms.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/X...0&bts=0&zu=http://www.2bcool.com/products.htm

Yeah I looked at those, I thought they would be hard to get around in, but maybe not. I will have to think about that.

 

[Sarge707]

Won't do it...no reason. It's simply not any fun to be riding when it's 95 degrees and humid...that's what air conditioning is for, IMHO... Plus, getting heat exhaustion or worse is really not a smart thing to do, especially when you're on a bike...

:agree: With the 100 heat index here the next 2 days I won,t even ride the Jet Skies till Saturday when its back to Mid Eighties and dry.
Luckily It only gets real Hot once in a while in Connecticut, Not All summer long.:bowdown:

 

[zrc]

I am actually looking at a misting system, would be local only based on its current design, but hey I am crazy enough to try anything once.

However, once you have the mysting system, you are Immediately at risk for water on skin sunburn issues.

Darn it!