Tips for Handling the Heat

An entry I never thought I’d have to write…

The current Accuweather forecast is calling for temperatures in the low 90’s throughout the day in Central and Eastern Oregon on Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd. Lows are expected to be in the low 50s. Looks like it’ll be in the mid 70s at the Timberline finish Sunday. Those of you finishing in the evening can look forward to cooler weather with temps in the high 40s.

Heat has always been one of my biggest hurdles to overcome. I’ve received some tips from some of the best crew chiefs in ultra on how to ride through the heat and thought I’d share a few of them with you:

Bring a number of old tube socks. Fill them with ice and tie off the ends. Keep them in an ice chest and give them as hand ups to your racer. Your rider can drape the sock around his/her neck and the ends can tuck into the jersey where they will hang close to the arm pits. As the ice melts it will drip cold water down the front and back of the racer. Change frequently.

Make a couple of simple ‘vests’ out of car chamois. Sticky backed velcro works great. Store the vests in the same ice chest as the socks. Ice will stick to the chamois along with a lot of cold water. Again, change frequently as it will warm up within about 10 minutes.

For help with hot foot – bring some old cycling shoes (with the cleats adjusted for your current set up) and cut the toes out of them. This sounds weird but it really works. It is also easy for the racer to ice his/her feet while moving this way.

Pack ice in the riders helmet vents. Feels great.

Bring lots of sunscreen not only for your racer but also for yourself. Also bring lip balm with spf protection. Remember to reapply it!

Bring Assos cream, Chamois Butt’r, or whatever your favorite non chafe cream happens to be – the heat combined with the melted ice can combine to give you some nasty saddle sores, raw spots and/or rashes.

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