Riding advise
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
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Riding advise
Hi... I'm kinda new to any long distance riding but soon I am moving to the Mojave Desert. I know its real windy with winds around 10-30 mph most of the time and gusty. Temperatures now are in the 90's but when I go around the first of July it will probably get to 100 - 115 degrees. I have an '09 dyna fxd. Although I do not prefer long rides my first trip out will be 350 miles. Can someone on the forum who is familiar with these conditions or the area advise me as to the best kind of riding gear ( including clothing ) for the high desert? Also, my first thought is to ride at night when its cooler but the thought of a breakdown out there in the middle of nowhere has me concerned. What do you guys think? TIA.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,579
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From: S.E. MO
Keep hydrated is number 1. You dont realize how much you sweat when riding since alot evaporates.
Cover up wear light color long sleeves. The less exposed skin the cooler you will actually be. Sunscreen on any exposed skin.
Lots of breaks
Cover up wear light color long sleeves. The less exposed skin the cooler you will actually be. Sunscreen on any exposed skin.
Lots of breaks
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 493
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From: Newfoundland, Canada
Went for a ride with some buddies yesterday...100 mi...50deg...40 mph winds...it was a bit nippy..but that's what I get for living where I do...we dress for it though..long johns, face masks,some had hand warmers and plug-in vests..the coffee shops were the right distance apart for warm-ups.....still..ya gotta love it 
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,955
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From: Little Rock
Went for a ride with some buddies yesterday...100 mi...50deg...40 mph winds...it was a bit nippy..but that's what I get for living where I do...we dress for it though..long johns, face masks,some had hand warmers and plug-in vests..the coffee shops were the right distance apart for warm-ups.....still..ya gotta love it
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 106
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From: N.E. PA
Did 6 months of desert survival training in the Mohave, when it's 110 in the day 50 at night feels like November in the Northeast. Like the gent said above Fluids in the sun, light colored clothing, in the day, late eve heavier shirt if your body cant take major temp changes, nothing out there to hold the heat down in the sky, but if you like watching the stars, there's trillions to see out there in no mans land....
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Northwest
Layers.... several light layers that you can take off as it gets warm, with leather in good condition over the top. Leather will breath, and at speed you can stay fairly cool. Did I mention leather in good condition - meaning clean and conditioned.
I also use the spray on Neutrogena cooling sunscreen that's spf70. Great stuff... hours riding in the sun and no burn, easy to apply, small can.
A good skin ointment like aquaphor, for after the ride.... specially for the face.
A good spf 15 chapstick for the lips.
Every time you stop, drink.... like 12-16oz water.
I also use the spray on Neutrogena cooling sunscreen that's spf70. Great stuff... hours riding in the sun and no burn, easy to apply, small can.
A good skin ointment like aquaphor, for after the ride.... specially for the face.
A good spf 15 chapstick for the lips.
Every time you stop, drink.... like 12-16oz water.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Sasser, GA
I use a Frogg Toggs "Chilly Pad" in the summer to cool down on breaks. I also wear long sleeve T-shirts more often than not...keeps the sun off and you can wet it to keep you cool while riding. I would think the hydration thing is even a bigger issue in the desert than here in the high humidity of the S.E., so I agree that you should drink lotsa water.