Pistons Then Pedals

If you’re trying to figure out how to handle summer in Phoenix (or anywhere in the Sonoran Desert), these are the habits that help me stay active, stay hydrated, and stay sane when the heat ramps up.

It’s a quarter to six in the morning. The windows are open, the A/C is off, birds are chirping from the big Palo Verde tree outside, and it’s 64 degrees.

While most of the country is gearing up for their season outdoors, we experience the opposite here in the Sonoran Desert. Summer in Phoenix is when we start limiting the time we spend outside. The warm temps showed up early this year, but we’re getting a little reprieve for the next week or so.

I’ve lived in Phoenix my entire life and, to be honest, summer is never easy here. But over the years I’ve picked up a few habits that make this stretch of the calendar a little more tolerable—especially when the Phoenix heat is relentless.

Become a Morning Person (Phoenix Summer Routine)

My Garmin’s Body Battery score definitely suffers during the summer because I rarely get a full 8 hours of sleep. But waking up early is also my way of still getting outside without dealing with dangerously hot temperatures.

I usually wake up around 4 a.m., have coffee and some egg whites, and then go for a bike ride. The sun isn’t up yet and the roads are perfect for cycling. Traffic is phenomenally light, the world is quiet, and I don’t have to think about sunburn. It’s also a chance to do something that’s purely for me before I sign into the corporate world.

Staying Hydrated in Desert Heat

It’s no secret that water is non-negotiable in the desert. I carry a 32 oz stainless steel Klean Kanteen with me most days.

Once it really starts warming up, I bring at least 40 oz of water on my bike. Right now I’m using Camelbak Podium Chill insulated bottles, but I’ll probably swap to metal eventually. Insulated bottles are a must. There’s nothing worse than being out in the heat, reaching for a drink, and getting a mouthful of warm, plasticky water. A little ice plus insulation keeps things (mostly) bearable.

Hydration tabs are also a staple in our house. I usually reach for Nuun because it’s more focused on salt and electrolytes. Liquid I.V. is another popular option, but it’s a little too sugary for me. There are a ton of choices. Those are just the two I see most often.

Escape the Desert With Cooler Trips from Phoenix

I’m not traveling as much as I’d like with my current job, but even the occasional trip out of the desert helps. Arizona is actually a really diverse state, climate-wise: drive about 2 hours north, gain roughly 4,000 feet, and you’re in the pines. For longer escapes, it’s about 5 hours west to California for the beach, or 5 hours east to New Mexico. With the valley getting more crowded, I’m especially interested in exploring more of New Mexico’s high country to get away from people. A mountain bike might be in my future for that.

If your job allows it, planning a weeklong trip in the middle of the summer can be a game-changer. I personally love going to Seattle. Flights between SEA and PHX are frequent (and usually pretty affordable), and Pacific Northwest summer weather is about as pleasant as it gets.

Get Poolside (Best Way to Cool Down in Phoenix)

It’s no secret that people in Phoenix love their pools. It’s one of the easiest ways to get through the worst of the heat. Even if your home doesn’t have a pool, there are plenty of public pools across the valley. We also occasionally splurge on a resort day pass through ResortPass (not sponsored). It can be fun to spend a day at a slightly bourgeois hotel pool and buy an overpriced drink or two.

Making Peace with Summer in Phoenix

The reality is that Phoenix can feel like an insufferable expanse of big box stores, sprinting between air conditioning, and a low hum of drought anxiety. Some of those criticisms are deserved (and some cities in the metro area are better than others). It’s not an easy time of year. But then again, neither is winter in the Northeast.

We just spend the opposite part of the year indoors. The city is facing some major challenges that need solving and, truthfully, it’s not the ideal place to spend a summer. Still, most of us don’t have an alternative, so we find the pockets of goodness and make the most of it.