Beat the Heat: Why Every Cyclist Needs a Hydration Strategy

Training in the early morning hours to escape the scorching afternoon heat has become the new normal for many of us. But this shift in our riding patterns serves as a stark reminder of just how crucial it is for cyclists to maintain stable blood glucose levels and avoid the dangers of hypoglycemia.

The Changing Risk Landscape

Traditionally, hypoglycemia was primarily a concern for ultra-distance athletes and those tackling multi-stage events. However, with soaring temperatures across Europe becoming increasingly common, the risk of blood sugar imbalances now threatens every cyclist, regardless of distance or experience level.  As we know even mild dehydration will lead to a drop off in your power output.

The Science of Individual Sweat Rates

Eight years ago, I had the fortune of discovering Precision Hydration at a TrainingPeaks conference. Their demonstration was eye-opening – they revealed the enormous variation in sodium loss through sweat between individuals. What struck me most was their approach: following a comprehensive sweat test, they develop a completely personalized hydration plan tailored to your unique physiology.

The best part? This test is a one-time investment. Your fluid and electrolyte loss patterns remain remarkably consistent throughout your life, meaning the insights gained from a single test will serve you for decades to come. Sweat Test Details

Personal Results and Peace of Mind

Following my own sweat test, I was relieved to discover that while I’m certainly a heavy sweater, my electrolyte losses fall within the normal range. Armed with my personalized Precision Hydration plan, I now have complete confidence in managing my fluid intake to maintain peak performance, even in challenging conditions by consuming the correct amount of sodium the night before and again about 90 mins before the event starts.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

The extreme heat patterns we’re experiencing this summer aren’t anomalies – they’re becoming our new reality. As temperatures continue to rise and heat waves become more frequent, having a scientifically-backed hydration strategy isn’t just beneficial – it’s essential.

Take Action

If you haven’t already explored personalized hydration testing, I strongly encourage you to investigate this area. Understanding your unique hydration needs could be the difference between a podium place or fighting to hold a wheel.

To learn more about sweat testing and personalized hydration plans, visit Precision Hydration or similar specialized companies to discover their comprehensive range of testing services and tailored hydration products. https://www.precisionhydration.com/us/en/

Is there ever a right time?

To develop and excel as a cyclist it takes time.  Early on we often see rapid changes in a rider’s performance, and then as the months and years pass the physiological changes continue, but often at a slower rate, especially in highly trained athletes.

 

It can take up to 10 years for a rider to develop fully, in the first 5 years we see predominantly physical development and the later 5 years cognitive development, so it’s never too late or too early to start.

The 2024 season in the northern hemisphere is now underway so the opportunity to be at your best for an event this summer are more limited, but with the correct plan, with the appropriate amount of loading and recovery, designed around your specific events requirements, improvements can be made.

If you have never been coached before or followed a plan tailored for you and your event needs, then there is no better time to start.  With continuity of training time, support from your coach, you will get so much more from your training and events.

 

What would Albert do!

The season for many has drawn to a close and now is a good time to reflect on the year, your successes, what you’re most proud of and where things didn’t go to plan, before the 2024 training begins 😊

Remember to reflect on what it was that contributed to those achievements, and to focus on those elements that you had complete control over.  Its not just your physical fitness and preparation that will have contributed, our mental state plays a big part in the way we perform.  I find writing them down helps me to identify what worked well and where I need greater development.

With these thoughts and notes I can structure my training correctly to take me into the 2024 season fitter, stronger, faster.

Albert Einstein quoted – Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

So what are you going to do differently moving forward, or are you going to let insanity rule!