Maybe we should have a Mere Mortals biking thread ?
Instead of just this here gods on a bike thread 
Summer has come. Ouch. My first ride this year in this heat.
47km up and around in the Danshui / Sanzhi area this morning - left home at 6:45am, which was probably too late, and got home at 10am, with the temperature 32C but the feels-like at 38C. I deliberately went for a somewhat short ride since I wasn’t sure how I’d react to the heat. And, yeah, starting the 北12 (this segment) climb at 9am, from sea level, was rough. The earlier part of the ride was quite nice, and around 300m elevation at 8am was thoroughly pleasant.
When I went by the start of Balaka around 7:30am, there was no one there, but plenty of bikes there around 9:30am. I suppose if you’re going to be climbing at that time in this temperature, that’s as good a place as any to do it, with plentiful shade and the elevation taking the edge off the heat. I’ll probably be doing that later this week. (Yay, semester over, schedule more flexible, and summer weather usually means sunny mornings!)
I finally got cycling sleeves last fall, and put them on today around 8:30am - ditto the buff, both mainly for sun protection. I’m unsure what else can help with the heat beyond getting up and heading out earlier. Two bottles, one water and one sports drink (from Nuun tablets, bought in Canada), almost finished by the time I got home. We’re definitely at the time of year where if I’m out more than a couple of hours I’ll be stopping at a 7-11 for a water refill. I try to make sure I drink roughly one bottle every 90 minutes. Hydration is always hilarious at this time of year - drank tons before heading out. Drank two bottles while cycling. Lord knows how many litres I’ve drunk since getting home. Need to go to the toilet? None!
But with all those complaints about the heat … I do love the blue skies of summer.
With all the easy to access mountains in Taiwan after a few months cycling climbs become second nature - also there are so many quiet country roads to explore that cycling distance naturally increases over time
I did ride Balaka (all the way up to Datunshan) this last Thursday. Started at 6:30, so probably I started climbing Balaka past 7. I saw a few cyclists while going up, but like 20 times less than when I went downhill.
In Datunshan, I was so soaked on my own sweat that the 22°C with not so strong wind were enough to feel very chilly once I stopped.
How about a cycling cap? I finally gave in and bought one the other day and will be wearing it under my helmet, a look that I find silly. But given the current heat, I’m willing to try it and be silly-looking.
Does anyone have a favorite local bike jersey brand that has a high UPF rating? This article (https://www.velofanatics.com/uv-sun-protection-cycling-clothing-guide/) tells me that I should be looking at a rating of at least 30 UPF if I’m planning five-hour rides. Does anyone have much experience with Monton, the brand mentioned in the article? And yes, it looks like I’ll be getting a cap, too.
I’ve been wearing one of those for a few years now - definitely helpful in reducing the amount of sweat that gets in my eyes.
First I had one that was brimless, more like a swim cap, but the only color I could find was white and it started to look awful, despite washing, within a couple of months. Then I got a black one with a brim. I agree the look is a bit silly, but it’s definitely helpful.
EDIT: I think my age may also insulate me against feeling silly? I’m Gen X, and when I was a kid, even wearing helmets was often mocked, never mind jerseys and tight cycling shorts. Not only am I doing that, I’m doing it with a middle-aged body that’s nowhere close to athletic. So there’s a little part of my brain that thinks “I’ve already lost, so it doesn’t matter what I do next.”
I never wear just a cycling jersey.
In summer wear a short-sleeve quick-dry shirt underneath, even though still gets damp from sweat. For me, that is enough sun protection.
Also have long sleeve cycling shirts, as well as those cycling sleeves that cover from wrists to nearly up to shoulder. Ymmv
I tried it on this morning, and it did help ward off the heat. I found the brim, or peak, pretty versatile in that when I was riding into the sun, I had it down to keep the sun out of my eyes. The rest of the time I kept it up to sport my new silly look. When you wear a cap, especially with the peak up, you gotta go all out and wear a jersey and padded shorts, and you don’t need an athletic body to don them. It’s a state of mind. This is coming from someone who once wore long baggy mountain bike shorts and looked down on lycra.
I have a couple of these
They work well to keep my glasses cleaner. For whatever reason my sweat doesn’t go to my eyes, but to my sunglasses. My theory is that they also help keeping my head cooler than a cycling cap since it doesn’t cover the whole head.
Yeah, I’ll stop doing that. Not that I have another one of those in my back pocket.
Apologies to everyone if it discouraged you to post!
Keep them coming!
Good local brand. However, it does loosen and materials becomes a bit thin pretty quickly. I would splurge and go with something of a more internal brand like Maap or Rapha.
48km “short ride” gotta love it
i must say probably over 90pct of bikers i see on the road here wear bike riding gear. except me. I dont feel worthy as I do just such puny rides. Besides my older crowd never had those bike gear when we started cycling, they were only seen on tour de france on tv.
and actually i would feel even more silly walking up those hills in cycling gear !! so i better stick with my tried and true jeans and running shoes and a windbreaker or jacket (its almost always cold in SF, although not other parts of the bay area in summer).
Ran Lee can probably do this
The comments are cool
Even more insane
I’ve done this before and let me tell you…despite the suffering, it’s a lot of fun.
Last month I had the chance to ride up Mt. Fuji at the annual Mt. Fuji Hill Climb Challenge. What an experience. Not the most scenic route, but it was one helluva experience.
With over 9,000 participants, you never really feel like there’s that many people there, even though the road is pretty narrow into a pretty small area at the start of the hiking trail.
What a day.
Saved this little guy from a snake up by FGZ a few weeks ago. Lucky sob.
Not much to share from my recent rides as I’ve been frequenting YMS via Sha Mao Rd. from Tian Mu. Chill, shaded and quick. Not as quiet in terms of traffic as I’d like, but you can’t have everything!
It’s getting really hot out there. Be sure to…start early or take advantage of these cooler nights!
Stealing the lunchbox from smaller kids in the playground XD
Compared to previous days, today was freezing.