Cycling in the desert states of the US

[Anthony Jones]

Nick Maclaren wrote:
> The other thing that people often miss is that sweat that comes off
> as liquid is water wasted. As long as it evaporates, you 'gain the
> coolth', and it doesn't matter too much whether it soaks into your
> clothing first.

Except that you really want the cooling to start as soon as you start
sweating, and stop as soon as you stop sweating. Imagine reaching the top
of a slow ascent, soaked in sweat, only to be faced with a long windy
descent. This is the kind of situation where you want a fabric that doesn't
hold much water.

Anthony

 

[Nick Maclaren]

In article <[email protected]>,
Anthony Jones <[email protected]> writes:
|>
|> > The other thing that people often miss is that sweat that comes off
|> > as liquid is water wasted. As long as it evaporates, you 'gain the
|> > coolth', and it doesn't matter too much whether it soaks into your
|> > clothing first.
|>
|> Except that you really want the cooling to start as soon as you start
|> sweating, and stop as soon as you stop sweating. Imagine reaching the top
|> of a slow ascent, soaked in sweat, only to be faced with a long windy
|> descent. This is the kind of situation where you want a fabric that doesn't
|> hold much water.

True, but that means only that you shouldn't go overboard with the
volume the fabric can wick. Anyway, with a vapour-permeable fabric,
the sweat DOES start evaporating as soon as it is generated - it is
only the vapour-IMpermeable fabrics (like some close-woven, coarse
thread synthetics) that cause any delay.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

 

[Neil Smith]

The concensus is that it is not intelligent ti cycle in +40C. However the
most helpful suggestion was to look at this site
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=1gci
Northern Utah, especially some of the National Parks near Moab seemed
interesting. Would this are be too hot in July?
Neil

"Neil Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Dear All,
> I am thinking about exploring the desert states of the US, cycling or
> mountain biking for a week or two. Perhaps July, when temperatures will be
> + 40C isn't the best time but it is the only time I can get away.
> If any one has done something like this perhaps they could share there
> experiences with me or make some useful suggestions.
> Thanks
> Neil
>

 

[Nick Maclaren]

In article <[email protected]>,
"Neil Smith" <[email protected]> writes:
|>
|> The concensus is that it is not intelligent ti cycle in +40C.

Or, more precisely, you need to be well adapted and well prepared.
I used to have little trouble with carrying a 35 pound pack up a
steep hill (1000' in 50 minutes) in that temperature. I don't
think that I could do it today, and I did once give myself mild
heatstroke doing it in under 45 minutes.

I wouldn't hesitate to cycle at 40 Celcius, but I would carry a
lot of water, and would cycle slowly. But I like heat.

|> However the
|> most helpful suggestion was to look at this site
|> http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=1gci
|> Northern Utah, especially some of the National Parks near Moab seemed
|> interesting. Would this are be too hot in July?

See above re adaptation and preparation. Do NOT stint them.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

 

[Nick Maclaren]

In article <[email protected]>,
"Budstaff" <budstaffdotusegroup@btinternetdotcom> writes:
|>
|> > I used to have little trouble with carrying a 35 pound pack up a
|> > steep hill (1000' in 50 minutes) in that temperature. I don't
|> > think that I could do it today, and I did once give myself mild
|> > heatstroke doing it in under 45 minutes.
|> >
|> You are Chris Ryan AICMFP! ;-)

Er, not quite But I am a colonial from the dying days of the
Empire (over which the sun never sets), and spent the first 8 years
of my life in Africa.

The above exercise would be vastly beyond my wife and daughters, and
one of them might well kill herself if she attempted it. And that's
not a body mass versus pack weight issue, as she is my size.

Cycling in 40 Celcius is not in itself an unreasonable idea, but it is
NOT something to undertake lightly or to overdo. One person died in
the London marathon due to the 'heatwave' - a mere 23 Celcius.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

 

[Budstaff]

"Nick Maclaren" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I used to have little trouble with carrying a 35 pound pack up a
> steep hill (1000' in 50 minutes) in that temperature. I don't
> think that I could do it today, and I did once give myself mild
> heatstroke doing it in under 45 minutes.
>
You are Chris Ryan AICMFP! ;-)