How to Acclimatize Yourself for Hot Weather Riding

How to Acclimatize Yourself for Hot Weather Riding

In some parts of the world, summer means relentless weeks of 90+ degrees heat. Riding in hot weather can be tough, but It is possible to acclimatize yourself to these conditions. Acclimatization teaches your body to increase your blood volume, so you can produce more sweat. It also encourages you to sweat sooner in a workout, so you don't overheat. The goal is to increase your heat tolerance so that your performance stays the same regardless of the temperature increase. Heat acclimatization takes between 12-18 days of regular riding 4-5 times a week. You should aim for at least 40-60 minutes a workout. While you acclimatize pay careful attention to hydration. If you ride longer than an hour, consider filling your second water bottle with a hydration drink formulated to replace sodium and potassium. It's the sodium in your sweat that encourages fast evaporation for cooling. Also, carefully monitor your heart rate. If you're heart rate is higher than normal and doesn't recover at your regular rate, slow down and consider ending your workout early before you overheat. You will notice improvements in just a few rides.


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