summer riding is here!!

kawi-z · Motorcycle Enthusiast Joined: Jan 18, 2009 Posts: 26

Summer is here!! And that means hot weather is an issue for some of us and it will be an issue for others. (I’ve been watching the national weather and it looks like summer is a ways off for some states!!) Staying cool while you ride is vital to staying alert-heat exhaustion or heat stroke is not a good thing. Heat related illnesses can exhibit some of the same effects as hypothermia and if serious enough heat stroke can be fatal.
Here are some tips for beating the heat:
1. Always plan for super hot weather, even though it may not be what you would consider “hot”. Your body dehydrates quickly on a motorcycle.
2. Drink lots of hydrating fluids before, during, and after the ride. And yes, you can drink during the ride…..For some that means having water tucked away in luggage and drinking on breaks. For others, like me, I use a water pack and drink through a straw while I ride. There are a variety of companies that make water packs…Camelbak and Hydrapak to name a few. I personally prefer the Hydrapak because it is a little easier to clean, but on the downside it is trickier to insert the bladder into the pack without getting the hose pinched. (Then again I know it is operator error!!!) Having a water pack is an excellent way to deal with on-demand thirst without having to stop. Plus if you pack it with ice, it is nice and cool on your back. Hydrate yourself after the ride too. Chances are you did not fully replenish your body’s water supply during the ride. (The same concept applies when exercising.)
3. Use a cooling vest. Wearing a vest that helps you stay cool keeps your core temperature down a bit. Numerous companies make these vests and they all operate a bit differently. Some vests have cooling packs inserted into a vest and others can be soaked into cold water and then worn. Here are some websites to check out to further investigate the vests:
Stacoolvest.com
Joerocket.com
Motoliberty.com
Ridecool.com
Some of these vests can be inconvenient and very pricey so do your homework before purchasing. (By no means am I endorsing any of these companies.) One vest that I found to be easy on the wallet, as well as offers a longer cooling time was the hyperkewl cooling vest and found it on numerous sites…one being Oklahomasportbikes.com/shop
And no you do not need to be a sportbike rider to shop the site!!
4. Wear appropriate gear. Having exposed skin not only causes anywhere from road rash to third degree burns in the event of a crash, it also causes fatigue much faster. When your skin is exposed to the elements, it speeds up the process of being too cold or too hot, not to mention the frostbite or sun/windburn that will occur. My husband has a great way of summing up the effects of bare skin when riding in the heat….”do you want to touch the hot exhaust pipes with protective gear buffering you or touch the hot exhaust pipes with your bare skin?”

Staying cool and hydrated will help keep you more mentally aware, since you will be thinking less of how uncomfortable you are. And most importantly, it may save your life!!!

WildHorse · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:34 pm Post subject:

Good tips & sites! I LOVE my cool vest I use while riding horses; I'll be using that on the way to Colorado as well.
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