Are You Hydrated?

Peddlin’ Press


What a difference a few days make! Last week we had a great ride out of Fairbrook with nice weather. Then it went downhill from there, with temperatures stuck in the 50s with clouds Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There were windows to get out each day (I managed to sneak in some miles each day), but you had to dress in layers! The clouds parted for a time Sunday, only for the clouds to return and the winds to just howl in the afternoon! Today was considerably nicer, though still a tad windy.


Tuesday? Ride night? Picture perfect weather! Sunshine and temperatures in the 70s! And if you’re a fan of summer heat? We have that Wednesday and Thursday with highs well into the 80s - and some humidity, too!


While hydration is always important when you exercise, it becomes that much more so as the temperatures rise and we naturally sweat that much more. And if you’re like me, and you seem to sweat more than others, and you leach out electrolytes, it’s imperative to keep up with both fluids and electrolyte replacement! I don’t know if you’ve been out for any lengthy ride in the warmth and humidity of summer, and suddenly you got cramps in your legs. But if you have, you know how painfully debilitating that is!


I will readily admit this is one mystery that I am still trying to solve. At last Septembers’ Civil War Century out of Thurmont, MD, I consumed 240 ounces of liquids to combat fluid and electrolyte losses as we climbed nearly 7,000 feet with temperatures that peaked at 92 with dew points in the mid 70s. It was enough. I was two miles from the finish and locked up and needed further assistance from a fellow rider to get me even more liquids to limp to the finish line. So I am still researching how to beat this bugaboo for me, and welcome your input!


This week we are at the Mount Nittany Middle School for a 6 p.m. start. I will be posted the slate of rides for June and July later this week, so stay tuned!


Thank you to those who have volunteered to be ride coordinators already. You are lifesavers! There’s still plenty of room for more! The more, the merrier. It spreads to load out over many bodies, making it lighter and easier for everyone.


If you want to host a ride at any other time of the week, simply post it on the web site - when you plan on starting, where you’re starting from, how long the ride will be, and the pace you’re going to ride at! People are looking to ride all of the time!


See you on the roads!
Joe