Just saw the forecast for SW US, Phoenix and Palm Springs may reach 120 F this weekend. If you're riding in this area take caution, stop often and stay hydrated.
Ride Safe

 

I would amend that to - Take caution, stop - period.

Unless you have a full cool suit and helmet, you would have to be nutz to ride in 120 degree weather.

 

We're not there yet in Texas but mid-high 90s with 90-100% humidity is pretty miserable.

 

 

An advantage for us here in Colorado this time of the year, while it may get hot on the Front Range, we don't get the humidity and we can always head up the hill to cooler temps
Ride smart and safe everyone...

 

Call me nutz. I work 2nd shift and will be riding to work in the afternoon all week, same as I do every other day. It is still hot when I leave work at 10:30 pm, but at least there is no sun.

I mentioned to my wife that it is going to be interesting riding into work in 115+ temperatures, she reminded me that I have a truck with air conditioning. I responded that it's going to be a hot ride into work.

If I had a long commute it would probably be a different story, but it only takes about 20 minutes.

For those familiar with the Flagstaff, Az. area, they are forecast to reach 97 degrees on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. That would tie their all time high and they are at over 7,000 feet elevation. The all time high for Phoenix is 122, the forecast is for 120.

 

Even though many will disagree, a nice mesh jacket can help for a short ride even in those temps. It keeps the air flowing, but keeps the sun off of your skin. Most importantly it slows the evaporation of your sweat which is your body's air conditioning. We don't see low 100's in NJ but mid 90's have already hit a couple days, I still wear my jacket. I couldn't imagine the sun boiling my skin like that.

 

I don't and won't wear a jacket in the summer. But I will wear a long sleeve wicking shirt. I have two... they're light, they work and more importantly, they keep the sun off of me. And after 5 skin cancer operations, I use them or I use my 110 SPF sunblock.

 

20 or 30 minutes is doable in this heat. A pleasure cruise is a different story.

 

I always wondered if a handlebar or fairing mounted air conditioner would be possible, or a shirt that plugs in and runs 70 degrees on you running off 12volt power.