It really does feel like we’re in Salvador Dali’s The Persistence of Memory today. It’s so hot in the UK, even time is melting. Over the past couple of days, records for temperatures in May have broken across Europe, including the UK, and Tuesday sees more of the same. While it would seem silly for Cycling Weekly to encourage you not to cycle on a sunny day, think about it carefully. Being out for hours in the full sun can carry health risks, especially if you’re not used to it, so maybe head into the woods for a gravel ride, ride at dawn or dusk, or even take a rest day.
The issue is, due to ongoing climate change, these exceptionally hot days are going to become more common. We will have to become used to days when we have to limit our riding because of the heat. Just as we do in the winter when it’s too cold or wet. This is a kicker for all of us who spend winter dreaming about the end of the rain and cold, but extreme heat is an issue to be concerned about too. Obviously, there are ways of beating the heat; cycling earlier or later, wearing the right clothing, seeking shadier routes, and drinking pretty much as much water as possible. But sometimes the best plan is to not touch the bike at all.
