Is the heat keeping anyone off the bike?

I rode in to work today, and now I'm thinking I might have to bus it half the way home.  I live about 7 miles from my office which really isn't bad, but man it is hot out there.  I was just wondering if I'm the only one considering wussing out.

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on July 21, 2011 at 2:31am

i have wimped out a bit lately.

rode home yesterday from the south loop at 6pm - felt like a freakin' blast furnace.

but the hydrant was open across the street from me..so the bike and I got

clean and cooled off before going inside.

 

DB

 

it's not the *heat* ... it's the STUPIDITY

Permalink Reply by John Wirtz on July 21, 2011 at 2:34am
I haven't biked this week, 40% due to heat (I have a 14 mile ride from Evanston), but 60% due to child care responsibilities.
Permalink Reply by Rachel Miller on July 21, 2011 at 2:53am

I wound up biking home.  I kind of knew I would. 

 

It was okay, except for the stretch down Belmont from Elston riding headfirst into the wind AND sun AND in stupid rush hour traffic where people act like idiots to get to the highway and don't give you any room.  I actually had to stop in the shade on a side street.  It was just too hot.

 

I didn't ride today, but mostly because I woke up around 2 am with a terrible headache and didn't get much sleep as a result.  I figured extreme heat + extreme headache is just a recipe for disaster.  I'll probably be back on tomorrow, though, as I hate taking the train home.

 

Good luck out there!

 

Madeline Baum said:

So -- what did you end up doing? Inquiring minds want to know!

I had a bunch of errands to run yesterday afternoon, and it wasn't too awful. I wasn't out in the weather for more than 20 minutes at a time, and I drank water constantly. If I'd had to ride much longer than that, though, I'd have seriously considered an alternative.

At one point I had to wait in the sun outside an entrance while the person inside put her dog up, and that 30 seconds felt like a week! It had to be over 100 degrees with the heat radiating off the building and sidewalk.

But then I got myself an ice cream cone and it was all worth it!

Permalink Reply by Chyanne Husar on July 21, 2011 at 2:53am
I think it was more the hangover that made me wuss out of riding this morning, but once NPR mentioned the high ozone and particle limits and encouraged people to spend minimal time outside today, I found a good excuse.
Permalink Reply by Marielis Figueroa on July 21, 2011 at 2:57am
I agree it was really hard to ride with the wind blowing against you!! GRRR

vxla said:
The worst is the stupid wind this week.
Permalink Reply by Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) on July 21, 2011 at 3:07am

After the ride yesterday, I'm off the bike today. The morning was fine, the afternoon at 5PM not so much. Although when I was on the bike, it seemed fine, I don't want to hurt myself (I tend not to be able to ride slow...I always end up pushing it). Tons of water.

 

As much as it hurts my biker pride, I couldn't do it. Tomorrow I'll be back on.

Permalink Reply by David Ramos on July 21, 2011 at 3:07am
yea that wind riding west is a killer. thats why it took me an extra 20 min. to get home riding into the wind and that heat was a killer. we lived we concurred
Permalink Reply by Melanie K on July 21, 2011 at 3:19am
I agree that between the heat and the nasty wind, it has been a tough commute this week. I'm sticking it out- lots of water and just riding a bit slower. I noticed that my awareness of traffic hasn't been as acute this week and my reflexes are a bit slower which I can only attribute to the intense heat. This is why I am riding a lot slower than usual and not taking any unnecessary risks when riding such as blowing through or rolling through stops or lights, even when it looks clear, and of course, keeping hydrated. I would consider taking the train or bus if the thought of the train/bus didn't make me feel even worse than the heat does. I have a problem with small, enclosed and crowded areas- which is funny considering I live in Chicago.
Permalink Reply by Joel on July 21, 2011 at 3:19am
I took the bus.  I would have ended up soaked in sweat and worn out, and it just wasn't worth it.
Permalink Reply by Laura on July 21, 2011 at 3:24am
I have still been riding to work. I had to take the bus today and then walk 4 blocks. Walking that 4 blocks was a lot worse then riding the 2 miles! Last night we went to a concert and took a cab. We would have never cooled down from the ride in the venue. I HATE winter! So I refuse to complain about the heat
Permalink Reply by Samantha on July 21, 2011 at 3:35am

I started either driving or taking the bus - I have a 16 miles roundtrip commute to Evanston and back, which really isn't that bad but I would find myself absolutely exhausted by the time I got home.

 

And since I go to college out of state the summer is the only time for me to spend time with my friends and go out - so it seems to be either ride my bike to work and go home and sleep or take the bus/drive and actually be able to have a social life

 

And the fact that I wash dogs all day in crappy air conditioning probably doesn't help either..

Permalink Reply by Duppie on July 21, 2011 at 3:37am

Sounds like you made the right choice. No need to feel bad about that

Chris LaFrombois said:

After the ride yesterday, I'm off the bike today. The morning was fine, the afternoon at 5PM not so much. Although when I was on the bike, it seemed fine, I don't want to hurt myself (I tend not to be able to ride slow...I always end up pushing it). Tons of water.

 

As much as it hurts my biker pride, I couldn't do it. Tomorrow I'll be back on.

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