Summertime - Hot Weather Riding

[Super Santa]

Just came across this link concerning hydration for motorcycle riders.

Thought it would be a good time for a slight reminder to watch your hydration, especially if you have some long days in the sun riding to Inzane.

http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/hot-weather-survival-tactics/114/

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I just bought this ....I have'nt checked it out yet but you can bet I'll be testing on the way to InZane 

[Lyn-Del]

If it's like mine (except mine's gray), expect it to feel "slimy" the first time or two you use it.  It gets better as the slimy parts rinse off.  Meanwhile, don't soak it in your cooler if you plan to use the ice, etc....

[Big Rig]

Did 250+ miles today escorting wounded warriors from Va to NYC (I met them in Delaware). Temps were in the 90's, brought a cooler with 4 gatorades (next time I am adding ice, what was I thinking).

Drank all 4 and never stopped to ummm...well you know.

Stay cool...Ride Safe...

[hotglue #43]

Ride 100 miles... stop... drink water.... filll your tank.... get water to go.... ride 100 miles..stop.... if ya don't have ta pee... yer not drinking enough water...drink more water.... etc.....and cover yer self.... ya have to insulate from heat.... just like ya do from cold.  Ask me about our run through the Southwest in 125* in the shade temps.... problem is ..NO shade.... and the heat of the bike ..plus the heat coming off the road..  add 30 degrees to the temp to get a true on the road temp.....Temps are taken in the shade at 1 meter above grade in a well ventalated area.
.
A bottle of water on the strapped on the trunk blistered the roof of my mouth like hot cheese on a pizza....

[Kendall]

Was 113 comming home from work today,,,  wore a neck cooler and wet down my sleeves on my long sleeve shirt, also soaked my dorag before i put my helmet on. When i first hit the road it was almost chilly..   8-)

[hotglue #43]

Kendall... that wetting down works in dry climates.... and you will be "FROSTY" till ya dry out in desert climates.....
 but if ya wet down here.....ya just mildew...LOL  how does 98% humidity sound????? at 95 degrees....
  We have ta leave the ac on when we leave for vacation in the summer... or our clothes mildew in the closet....

[Hoser]

600 miles yesterday in 95+ temps, Bottle of  water to drink and one poured on my shirt under my mesh jacket, every fuel stop, at about 150 miles.  No problems, other than a speeding ticket (warning only) on I-35 north of Des Moines, IA.    I think I reminded the young trooper of his grampa!    Hoser

[franco6]

SMOKINGJOE do you have the link for those soaker jackets? ,I remember seing it last year and thinking that would have  been great
south of wichita falls on a balmy 106 degrees afternoon!
 thanks

[trantony]

franco6,
I have one of those cool vest. IMHO they work fantastic! Just have to resoak them every couple of hours. And read and follow instructions carefully. Don't make me tell you way. You can get them at any Cycle Gear store for under $40. Just my 2cents.
Leon

[Oss]

Joe I have one of those, and it works well under a mesh jacket, too bad I forgot it when I went to Lacrosse this year.  Just dont forget to let it air dry between uses so it dont get moldy like.

Today I drank 4 water bottles each day I was on the road and also licked one of those salt packets I got at a MickyD's.  Had a couple of big glasses of water too before leaving Gig's at 6am.    I like to cut up a cantalope or watermelon into a ziplock bag and at each stop eat a few pieces.  Natural energy in case no bagels are handy

[franco6]

Trantony, thanks for the info. we were at the cycle gear yesterday picking a new helmet for Nouchkine s birthday (the 3rd) we were also looking for new rain gear ( i see us getting wet this sumer). 
this trip is adding up as i also want to join up and get a gps. getting lost wastes gas ,of course its not as much fun but getting to where you are going ,must have its merit. must be aging! !

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

SMOKINGJOE do you have the link for those soaker jackets? ,I remember seing it last year and thinking that would have  been great
south of wichita falls on a balmy 106 degrees afternoon!
 thanks

I bought mine at The National Biker Rally in Knoxville, Tennessee a couple weeks ago so I can't help with a link. I paid $40.00 cash and carry.

[Jabba]

I have never ridden in the desert... yet.

But I wear a white, long sleeve UnderArmor shirt, and spritz it with a spray bottle every few minutes.  It works GREAT.  It's sort of a PITA, but it keeps my fat ass alive.

Jabba

[Jess from VA]

More effective, cheaper and lighter than polymer cooling vests, these water-retaining crystals hold water for up to two days, instead of the couple hours of the polymer vests.  Check out the Tuff Rhino site for crystal cooling headbands, doo-rags, and neckerchiefs.  All this stuff is cheap.  I keep a selection charged with water and in my frig in a plastic bag.  Throw it in the bike when I leave.

http://www.tuffrhino.com/MiraCool_Poncho_Vest_p/hs1045.htm  (colors are not great, but it goes under mesh anyway)

http://www.tuffrhino.com/Cooling_Apparel_and_Products_s/43.htm

[BigMac NJ]

I bought one of these a few years ago after a near life changing ride in 100+ degree  heat on the Kansas Turnpike made me see the light for the need for cooler way to ride and survive heat.

http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com/shop/vests.htm

Being I'm on the xxl size of the ledger I also now start out a day of heat riding by consuming at least 1 to 1 1/2 quarts of water before starting out. I also make sure to a lot of water at every stop.

 
 
 

[rmrc51]

I really have ta take my hat off to all of you who are able to ride in the heat! Unfortunately,, I have "NO" tolerance for hot weather at all. My riding is done during the fall, winter and spring. I've always heard that the older you get, the more you look for warmer weather. Well, I seem to be going in the opposite direction. Instead on living in Virginia, I should be in Northern Canada.

So for the majority of you who ride in the heat, here's to an enjoyable and safe summer season.

[Cruzen]

HEAT!  What heat?

We ran up to Sedona yesterday for breakfast.  About 125 miles from where we live in Scottsdale.  It was about 80 when we set out at 6:00a.m.  About 90 up in Sedona at 8:00a.m. We returned to the Valley of the Sun around 3:30 when it was around 109.  The air-conditioning on the bike was not working again.  It was working so well in December and January but now not so good. But the heater is now working again.  Go figure!

One benefit to riding in the heat is you don’t have to pay the women to douse themselves with cold water.  They do it automatically.  Reason enough to keep a few extra bottles of frozen water in a thermal pouch in the saddle bags.

I joke about it but it can be serious for those not properly acclimated to the heat.  I think riding in the South where heat is combined with humidity seems to be more taxing than our “dry” Arizona heat.

[clsimmonsjr]

That vest Joe is showing was a lifesaver last week going from Knoxville to Myrtle Beach and back.  118 degrees coming through Columbia on bikes therm.  It was worth three times the 36.00 I paid for it.  It stays moist long time and does a good job keeping torso cool.

[Thunderbolt]

Works pretty good under your mesh jacket.  Just have to stop when it dries out and rewet it, because it starts to make you hotter when it is dry.  Drink water each stop, or Gatorade.

[fudgie]

Heat dont bother me. What does bother me is being all bundled up like some of you all do. Full face and helmets make me have heat stroke looking at it.  I do wear a long sleeve and a bandanna on my face to help with the heat. Do rag and my visor for shade for my eyes.