Hot Weather Riding 
by
Dan Bowman » Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:24 08
Gosh its hot out there as I think our home town, Tyler Texas broke record temps for June and everyday is at or above 100. Some of the things I do to make hot weather riding easier and more comfortable are:
1. I use ATGATT, which to some folks seems like its too hot to wear however, I don't find it unbearable wearing all mesh jacket, pants and gloves. When I'm moving the air flows right thru the material and keeps the direct sun off exposed skin that would otherwise be cooking.
2. Wear a white Nolan N90 modular helmet that I can flip up at traffic lights for cooling, it has awesome ventilation, white reflects heat and allows me to flip it up while moving to drink bottled water.
3. Have a ram mount cup holder for bottled water. The bottles can be frozen as they thaw fairly quickly in the heat and will melt down to nice cool drinking water while on the move. One needs to break the seal on the water bottle before moving otherwise you'll need to take both hands off the handlebars to break the cap seal. I love my ram mount cup/bottle holder that is a brake reservior mount.
4. Evaporative cooling vests are great at keeping your core cool in high heat. I've worn mine at temps at 111 degrees in Big Bend National Park and use it regularly at our local temps of 101-106 degrees. I carry mine in a kayak dry bag and usually wait until after lunch for all day rides when temps become the hotest. I usuallly fill the dry bag up with water and keep the vest wet until needing it later. For shorter rides locally I keep it in the dry bag without water until needing it and then charge the vest with water in the dry bag and let it drip a bit before putting on. I can wear the vest for several hours and even though no moisture can be squeezed from the vest you can feel the cool dampness of the material as it continues to cool for 3-4 hours before needing recharging with water. So far, I've only re-charged the vest once this summer.
5. My Pro gel pad got way too hot as it was burning my butt. Gel does not work well in high heat. I've got to find another alternative like the Alaska sheepskin.
6. Take the helmet and jacket indoors when stopping to eat or shopping. The radiant heat of the sun will bake your helmet and will not be fun to wear (I know, speaking from experience here) and the same goes for the jacket. Try it sometime and see the huge difference it makes at keeping your riding gear cool in high heat.
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