Riding in HOT weather
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: Shelby, N.C.
Hot weather riding for me is, get up and start before the sun gets too high. Ride above 3000 ft elevation in the Blue Ridge Mt. (hint, take a long sleeve shirt or jacket) Ride back home in the evening. Only have about an hour of HOT riding. Usually if ya stay in the Mt. pass lunch time you'll have a wet t-shirt. Thunder storms about that time.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Central Ohio
This is something my brother and I do when riding in hot weather, and other bikers seeing this never thought of it or herd of it so I thought I would pass it on.
When we stop, whether it be from a gas station bathroom, rest stop bathroom or refilled Gatorade/ Powerade bottles filled with water.
SOAK your shirt, dew-rag, and face cloth (not sure what to call it but highly recommended in the hot dry air to keep from wind burn) and even gloves. Then put on your jacket and open your vents. Works like a charm to keep you cool.
To be on the safe side we do this about every 50 miles and to drink a bottle of Gatorade/ Powerade.
To keep the shock factor down when you put your shirt back on you can use warm water. But I like the super cold feeling. Keep your core cool and hydrate.
When we stop, whether it be from a gas station bathroom, rest stop bathroom or refilled Gatorade/ Powerade bottles filled with water.
SOAK your shirt, dew-rag, and face cloth (not sure what to call it but highly recommended in the hot dry air to keep from wind burn) and even gloves. Then put on your jacket and open your vents. Works like a charm to keep you cool.
To be on the safe side we do this about every 50 miles and to drink a bottle of Gatorade/ Powerade.
To keep the shock factor down when you put your shirt back on you can use warm water. But I like the super cold feeling. Keep your core cool and hydrate.
mikebaby
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
I bought a pump up water bottle mister at my local home depot. I use a large cup holder to mount it to my bike. I fill it and pump it up a few times whenever I stop and it holds the pressure during the ride. When I get really hot, I unclip the nozzle and mist myself while going down the road. The coiled hose is long enough to reach my passenger.
Outside of that, I just look for homes and businesses running sprinklers.
Outside of that, I just look for homes and businesses running sprinklers.
Last edited by ZenGlide; Jul 21, 2012 at 04:36 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Arizona & Europe
Most of my riding has been in the desert Southwest (AZ, NM and TX) and Europe so when it's hot I just ensue that I hydrate more frequently with water and eat lots of bananas. I also keep a wet bandana tied around my neck which helps to cool me down. Other than that, it's just get use to it and ride. It's either hot, rainy, cold, or something when you're riding a bike so there is only so much a person can do.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas
Yeah Im getting ready to head out to Sturgis on the 4th and its gona be a hot one all the way there. Im not gona go out and spend a ton of loot on "keep cool" items. I think the wet bandanas and shirt will work for me. I do wish I had a mesh jacket though. I think my leather one even with the lining out and the vents open are gona be hot.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 4
I'm curious to see how my LD Comfort shorts and mock turtle neck works. Pour bottled water down both sleeves and back of neck and put leather jacket on. Close all vents except at the sleeve cuffs. Supposed to create a pocket of cool air around your torso. Guess I'll see on the ride to Sturgis
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
Been doin this for years. I quite like the HD Evapo vest. Just soak it, throw it on, and then put a vented jacket over it. Keeps the torso cool. Same with dew rag...
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 144
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Yep we drink cold water on the fly. Coolvests and mesh jackets. Only stop as needed
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Alvord, TX
i fill my camel back with ice and water and use it on long and hot rides, pretty easy to just put the straw in you mouth and get a drink, started wearing a light colored long sleeve shirt to keep the sun off of me too.