How are You Dealing with the Heat?

[f-Stop]

Been riding early to beat the heat.  Yesterday, I started early, but it was not as hot as other days.  I stayed out a bit longer and made it back home around 2:00pm.  That ended up being a mistake as I was somewhat dehydrated by then.  I always carry water with me and only stopped once near Stonewall to hydrate...



Found some shade, too!

Anyway, how have you been dealing with the heat?

 

[Disco]

I avoid it when possible.  When I can't avoid it (and that's much of the time) I concentrated on hydrating constantly.  MC riding in the summer has taught me the importance of that. 

I also try to remember the mild Spring we had and the eventual transition to Autumn.  BRING IT!

[franco6]

 Went riding yesterday morning  warm as expected but got hotter as Belle just quit and refused all commands ! Stuck at the corner of 6 and littleyork .called motor club (3 times) then decided to look around the electrical connections while waiting 142 minutes they said  -LOL - found the starter relay s wires had unplugged because of the pot holes!!! Belles purred all the way home . 90 miles round trip.

[Jess from VA]

How are You Dealing with the Heat?

Up early (dark), walk 1.5 - 2.5 miles every day at the grey of dawn (cooler and no sun, but humid), do outdoor work (most days) and finish by 10:30-11:00am, and come in out of the heat.  Down 13lbs (with new healthy diet). 

[Nightflight99]

This Summer has been absolutely brutal in North Texas. Just got done running some errands on the Valk, and it felt like holding a hair drier to your face.

I'm going on a weeklong ride in about ten days to retrieve a bike out of Southern Mexico. The daily rains in that part of Mexico are going to keep things mild, but crossing the deserts of Northern MX is going to be a boiler. I ride there quite regularly, but I usually avoid July & August, since the deserts are absolutely brutal around that time.

[Disco]

Tell us more about riding in Mexico!

This Summer has been absolutely brutal in North Texas. Just got done running some errands on the Valk, and it felt like holding a hair drier to your face.

I'm going on a weeklong ride in about ten days to retrieve a bike out of Southern Mexico. The daily rains in that part of Mexico are going to keep things mild, but crossing the deserts of Northern MX is going to be a boiler. I ride there quite regularly, but I usually avoid July & August, since the deserts are absolutely brutal around that time.

[Nightflight99]

Tell us more about riding in Mexico!

Its been my riding panacea for years. Granted, its not the best place for a heavy, low-clearance platform like a Valkyrie. I've taken some bigger bikes (e.g., Concours 14) deep into Mexico, but my favorite platforms for riding there are lightweight adventure bikes, like the DR650 or KTM 690. Road conditions in Mexico can vary rather dramatically from near track-quality to suddenly missing pavement altogether (sometimes right at the apex), so bikes that aren't easily rattled by those extreme conditions and changes thereof are by far the most fun. Mexico might also have the highest number of speed bumps in the world, and any rider there encounters hundreds or thousands of them in a short period of time. Without significant suspension travel, you need to come to a near-halt to to keep from bottoming out, whereas adventure bikes can hop over them like a dirtbike.

When people in this country think of Mexico, they usually only think of resorts, immigrants, and cartels, and not much else. Anyone traveling to the genuine Mexico (i.e., outside of resorts and tourist towns) is usually shocked to find a magical world full of beautiful landscapes, incredibly friendly people, and some of the most amazing food in the world. The riding in the mountains (on both legs of the Sierra Madre) is probably some of the best in North America. If you're ever interested in getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing some of the most fascinating adventure touring there is, I strongly recommend taking a ride through Mexico. I've been doing it for years and have explored just about every single Mexican State, and still cannot get enough!


Taken near Oaxaca in 2019.


Near Uruapan, Michoacan.


At the border between Mexico and Guatemala. The cable across the water represents the international border.


Riding above the clouds near San Cristobal, Chiapas.

[Disco]

Thanks for sharing.  Riding Mexico is on my list.  My skin is white, pero mi estomago es puro Mexicano!

[Valkorado]

Tell us more about riding in Mexico!

Its been my riding panacea for years. Granted, its not the best place for a heavy, low-clearance platform like a Valkyrie. I've taken some bigger bikes (e.g., Concours 14) deep into Mexico, but my favorite platforms for riding there are lightweight adventure bikes, like the DR650 or KTM 690. Road conditions in Mexico can vary rather dramatically from near track-quality to suddenly missing pavement altogether (sometimes right at the apex), so bikes that aren't easily rattled by those extreme conditions and changes thereof are by far the most fun. Mexico might also have the highest number of speed bumps in the world, and any rider there encounters hundreds or thousands of them in a short period of time. Without significant suspension travel, you need to come to a near-halt to to keep from bottoming out, whereas adventure bikes can hop over them like a dirtbike.

When people in this country think of Mexico, they usually only think of resorts, immigrants, and cartels, and not much else. Anyone traveling to the genuine Mexico (i.e., outside of resorts and tourist towns) is usually shocked to find a magical world full of beautiful landscapes, incredibly friendly people, and some of the most amazing food in the world. The riding in the mountains (on both legs of the Sierra Madre) is probably some of the best in North America. If you're ever interested in getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing some of the most fascinating adventure touring there is, I strongly recommend taking a ride through Mexico. I've been doing it for years and have explored just about every single Mexican State, and still cannot get enough!


Taken near Oaxaca in 2019.


Near Uruapan, Michoacan.


At the border between Mexico and Guatemala. The cable across the water represents the international border.


Riding above the clouds near San Cristobal, Chiapas.

Cool post, looks like an adventure for sure!

Me, I'd still be leery of some desert "rats" -- and Montezuma's Revenge!     Pretty sure a Mazatlan Taco stand outside Valentino's at like 4:00 AM and too many margaritas to know better were the culprits there.

[DIGGER]

I am really glad you have a place you really enjoy riding to but I think I have crossed the border for the last time.   No special reason.....probly just watch too much tv....ha

[Nightflight99]

Thanks for sharing.  Riding Mexico is on my list.  My skin is white, pero mi estomago es puro Mexicano!

Do it! It'll change your life.

Cool post, looks like an adventure for sure!

Me, I'd still be leery of some desert "rats" -- and Montezuma's Revenge!     Pretty sure a Mazatlan Taco stand outside Valentino's at like 4:00 AM and too many margaritas to know better were the culprits there.

A little bit of homework and the desert "rats" aren't much of a concern. Montezuma's Revenge, on the other hand...well, there are pharmacies all over the place 

I am really glad you have a place you really enjoy riding to but I think I have crossed the border for the last time.   No special reason.....probly just watch too much tv....ha

Agreed...definitely too much tv 

My apologies to the OP for hijacking this thread. The heat made me do it...