What do you do when it's too hot to ride?

What do you do when it’s too hot to ride?

Mountain biking on the hottest days of the year is not only uncomfortable, in some cases it can be unsafe. We want to know what you do on those days instead.

By Jeff Barber
July 21, 2024

23 comments

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No, it’s not just your imagination. According to researchers, 2023 was the hottest summer in 2,000 years. Depending on where you live, there might be some days this year when it’s just not safe to go for a mountain bike ride due to excessive heat. So then what?

If you said it’s never too hot to ride, share your tips for enjoyable hot-weather rides in the comments below!

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23 Comments

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davidmarkweitzman California // 2017
Jul 21, 2024

Swim laps in the pool or work out.

3 reply

kenprice195 Louisiana // 2021
Jul 22, 2024

Go for a night ride

2 reply

Bham MTB Alabama // 2019
Jul 25, 2024

This.

I haven't missed riding for high temps all year in Birmingham AL. But I don't try to ride at noon either.

0 reply

Doneyparker Arizona // 2023
Jul 21, 2024

I live at 7000ft. With low humidity. It's never too hot to ride.

mongwolf Mongolia // 2011
Jul 25, 2024

Doney Park, Flagstaff. It shall ever have a special place in my heart and life! Go Lumberjacks!

Never too hot to ride in Flagstaff, but those monsoon thunderstorms will send you crawling for cover at times. Gotta love it!

thebadpixel Delaware // 2022
Jul 22, 2024

Too hot? That rarely happens. Too humid? That's a different story. Once sweating no longer functions to keep you alive I'm in the basement on the trainer. I've done rides where I had to pour sweat out of my shoes and I was drenched head to toe like I'd just dunked myself in a creek when I hadn't. I'll ride just about any other condition but heat + high humidity is the worst (with ice storms being a close second for sucky riding - at least those are pretty)

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Jul 21, 2024

Assumtion: relative humidity <25%
There is nothing worse than high humidity in any temperature. 100° and ride my bike cause bike!! RH= 10%. Like air conditioning as sweat evaporates quickly. Tire pressure obviously needs to be adjusted due to heat and air expansion raising the pressure.

1 reply

Storms12 California // 2023
Jul 22, 2024

I use an E-Bike as a heat hedge. Keeps one from working too hard on the climbs, and creates more evaporative cooling going. I also look for shady locations.

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Jul 22, 2024

I've heard this from friends with eMTBs as well.

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Jul 22, 2024

Kinda miss my dirt bike... Although, if one is geuninely dirtin a dirt bike, they will make ya sweat like a mountain biker!

goosefacer Florida // 2017
Jul 21, 2024

It gets so hot and humid in the summer here that the only option is to ride in the morning. Even then the heat & humidity combo requires frequent rests to cool down, it's super easy to overheat.

GySgtBmf3 California // 2024
Jul 24, 2024

Night rides, the adrenaline rush of riding at night on the trails is awesome. Just pick a trail you're very familiar with so you know what to expect along the ride. Best to use 2 lights, one on bike and 1 on helmet. Ride safe.

J.A.M. Colorado // 2017
Jul 24, 2024

Drink

liquiDani Germany // 2017
Jul 25, 2024

Grap a Heini!

ed734 New Mexico // 2019
Jul 25, 2024

Headed for the mountains earlier this week …and got hailed on instead. Can’t remember the last time my hands were so cold!

Undeniablydull England // 2024
Jul 23, 2024

I live in Scotland.

brian.eggleton Idaho // 2023
Jul 23, 2024

I ride first thing in the morning, sometimes as early as 630am

OhioFatBiker Ohio // 2016
Aug 15, 2024

I'm in the Midwest. I have yet to run into a day where I could not at least take a light ride. If my schedule is open for it, I am going to try to ride.

Sam James British Columbia // 2018
Jul 22, 2024

It's rarely too hot to ride in coastal BC. If it looks like temps are climbing though, I'll just get out in the early morning before it heats up.

DaNoiZ Utah // 2022
Jul 25, 2024

Play golf.

asellars 2017
Jul 25, 2024

Sit around and spit nails

mtmtb406 Montana // 2023
Jul 23, 2024

When it's too hot to ride I like to swim and paddleboard the rivers and lakes.

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