Cycling In Hot, Humid Weather
7 Cool Tips:

1. Start your ride well-hydrated. Drink 16 ounces of water before bedtime. In the early morning top up again with 16-24 ounces. Then during your ride drink another 4-8 ounces of fluid every 15-20 minutes. (a regular-size sport bottle contains 12-16 ounces)
2. If you're riding for longer than ninety minutes, or riding sixty minutes at high intensity, the best choice is a sports drink. Sports drinks replace sodium and chloride, important electrolytes lost through sweat.
3. After your ride, drink 16-24 ounces of water in the first hour. Then, after that, sip water regularly to top up your fluid levels. If you want be certain you've replaced the fluid lost during your ride, weigh yourself before and after the ride. See how much weight you lost. For every pound of weight lost, drink 24 ounces of water.
4. If possible, ride in the early morning to avoid higher temperatures. However, even with lower morning temperatures you still have to be cautious. Humidity levels are higher in the morning and winds tend to be lighter. This means your sweat won't evaporate as quickly as it will later in the day when the wind picks up and the humidity levels drop. So be vigilant and make sure you drink enough water.
5. Before heading out for your ride, check humidity levels on the weather channel. If they are higher than fifty percent and the humidex reading is 5-10 degrees higher than the actual temperature, take an extra water bottle in your jersey.
6. Wear light-coloured cycling shorts and wear a good sweat-wicking jersey or T-shirt to keep your body cooler and dryer.
7. If you feel dizzy or light-headed take a break in the shade. Apply water to your wrists and head to cool your body down.

Heat injuries occur when your exercise heat load exceeds your body's ability to regulate your body temperature. Heat injuries can be serious and should be treated immediately.