How much gear do you use?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, CA
RE: How much gear do you use?
Heat related illnesses are serious and once experienced it is easier for a repeat. When traveling long distance I use a hydration system so I can drink water on demand while riding. My gear is designed for some flow through ventilation so I actually experience some evaporative cooling while moving. I personally have a pretty high tolerance to heat, but my wife does not so I must account for her health and needs when we ride also. Hot weather riding requires frequent breaks and good hydration regardless of the gear worn. Also riding in a t-shirt and jeans will dehydrate someone much faster than a rider wearing gear such as I use. We all have limitations that can affect our safety when riding. Awareness and informed decisions are what make it right for each rider.
FWIW wearing the gear listed in my previous post and using the hydration system mentioned above I rode 1700 miles from SC to NM on I-40 in mid-August in 3 days averaging over 600 miles each the 1st two days in temperatures in excess of 100 degrees F. I typically consumed 150+ ounces of water from the hydration pack during the day and more in the evening before going to bed.
Your point about heat exhaustion is valid in that it is a hazard we need to manage, but I have provided1st aid to a passenger (not mine) suffering heat exhaustion at Laughlin who was wearing a tank top and shorts. She was in bad enough shape we called the paramedics and she was transported to the ER. Attributing the riding gear as the sole cause of the heat exhaustion example in the previous post is unrealistic because many other factors such as general health, prior exposure, dehydration, hang over, other illness are probable contributors as well.
JMO
FWIW wearing the gear listed in my previous post and using the hydration system mentioned above I rode 1700 miles from SC to NM on I-40 in mid-August in 3 days averaging over 600 miles each the 1st two days in temperatures in excess of 100 degrees F. I typically consumed 150+ ounces of water from the hydration pack during the day and more in the evening before going to bed.
Your point about heat exhaustion is valid in that it is a hazard we need to manage, but I have provided1st aid to a passenger (not mine) suffering heat exhaustion at Laughlin who was wearing a tank top and shorts. She was in bad enough shape we called the paramedics and she was transported to the ER. Attributing the riding gear as the sole cause of the heat exhaustion example in the previous post is unrealistic because many other factors such as general health, prior exposure, dehydration, hang over, other illness are probable contributors as well.
JMO
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
RE: How much gear do you use?
ORIGINAL: rwagon57
I'm not afraid of the wreck that kills me, rather I fear the one that doesn't kill me. For that option I want every chance I can give myself to avoid broken bones, bruises, and road rash. Also I definitely ride defensively to avoid the crash, but unfortunately I can't do anything about the cage driver that does the unexpected or unpredictable. If you ever end up on the ground you will be wearing exactly what you were wearing when you rode away from home.
Enjoy the ride, I'll wave regardless of how you are dressed.
I'm not afraid of the wreck that kills me, rather I fear the one that doesn't kill me. For that option I want every chance I can give myself to avoid broken bones, bruises, and road rash. Also I definitely ride defensively to avoid the crash, but unfortunately I can't do anything about the cage driver that does the unexpected or unpredictable. If you ever end up on the ground you will be wearing exactly what you were wearing when you rode away from home.
Enjoy the ride, I'll wave regardless of how you are dressed.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
RE: How much gear do you use?
"Attributing the riding gear as the sole cause of the heat exhaustion example in the previous post is unrealistic because many other factors such as general health, prior exposure, dehydration, hang over, other illness are probable contributors as well."
Granted, lot's of factors enter into heat exhaustion, but in the case I spoke of, the paramedics were real certain the rider's gear was a major cause...on the other side of the coin, I'm pretty certain if I went out into a snowstorm @ 0 degrees in my swimming trunks and flip flops, my attire would probably bethe major contributing factor in the resulting hyperthermia and frostbite...
again, just sayin', a little common sense...
Granted, lot's of factors enter into heat exhaustion, but in the case I spoke of, the paramedics were real certain the rider's gear was a major cause...on the other side of the coin, I'm pretty certain if I went out into a snowstorm @ 0 degrees in my swimming trunks and flip flops, my attire would probably bethe major contributing factor in the resulting hyperthermia and frostbite...
again, just sayin', a little common sense...
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 6
From: Londonderry, NH
RE: How much gear do you use?
hey swordy-
ha ha.. not really either.. though I guess it's more like a life jacket than the latter.
it's designed to protect the rider when thrown from the bike. You can check it out at http:www.hit-air.com
you'll be able to get a better idea what it's all about.
a jacket like this saved a dude's life on the highway last year in baltimore. I have two little girls at home and use any reasonable method to protect myself.
it's really not a bad looking vest. no one would ever know what it was.
rob
ha ha.. not really either.. though I guess it's more like a life jacket than the latter.
it's designed to protect the rider when thrown from the bike. You can check it out at http:www.hit-air.com
you'll be able to get a better idea what it's all about.
a jacket like this saved a dude's life on the highway last year in baltimore. I have two little girls at home and use any reasonable method to protect myself.
it's really not a bad looking vest. no one would ever know what it was.
rob
