Hot Weather Riding

This may have been posted already, but it is very good.

Hot Weather Riding

[cactusjack]

Nothing like being a day late and a dollar short! Where were you two weeks ago, BEFORE the rally?

[Idaho]

He was delirious with anticipation. Actually this info will help me a lot with my trip next week.

Thanks Nico.

[blowndodge]

Do you really want to know that answer Scott?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Do you really want to know that answer Scott?

No, not really. Don't get me wrong - I appreciate the information. I've read up on hot weather riding previously.

[ringadingh]

Had some good info,But I think Id wait until the sun went down if there was someplace I had to be. Im not a very good hot weather person.

[fish]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

Had some good info,But I think Id wait until the sun went down if there was someplace I had to be. Im not a very good hot weather person.

Same here

[MarkG]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

Had some good info,But I think I'd wait until the sun went down if there was someplace I had to be. I'm not a very good hot weather person.

You don't ever want to be near Arizona in the summertime. The 10pm news often reports current temperatures of over 105 after one of our standard 110+ degree days. The sun having long since gone down. The coolest part of the day is usually around 2am to 4am. We've gotten kind of used to it being 94 or above at 6am in the morning.

I don't know about that article. Does anyone else think it sounds fishy? I wonder if that guy has ever sat in a car with the windows rolled up on a hot day?

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by markg

You don't ever want to be near Arizona in the summertime. The 10pm news often reports current temperatures of over 105 after one of our standard 110+ degree days. The sun having long since gone down. The coolest part of the day is usually around 2am to 4am. We've gotten kind of used to it being 94 or above at 6am in the morning.

Wow, thats pretty damm warm for the middle of the night.

[Cajunrider]

Funny as this may sound, a good rule of thumb is if you are peeing clear you are still hydrated. The darker the pee, the more your body is dehydrated. I will be in College Station, TX 7/14 - 7/18 for Level II exterior industrial firefighting training. Completely covered in insulated bunker gear, knee high insulated rubber boots, nomex coveralls underneath with a nomex hood underneath the helmet. Being on the Emergency Response Team requires this annual training. Why in the middle of the Summer??? Happens like this every year. I think leadership (management) thinks it's a macho thing to do this in 100+ degree heat. LW knows what I'm talking about and some of your jobs may require the same training. The key is to begin hydrating a couple of days before the activity begins. Motorcycling in the heat of summertime requires the same hydrating before the riding begins. Don't wait for the cramps to begin. My body gives me earlier signals like rapid pulse, heavier breathing, weakness, diziness, etc. All of these symptoms come well before the cramps in my case. I can't imagine passing out on my bike alone, much less with my wife riding behind me. That could create 4 orphans pronto. Kind of scarry. Nico, that was a good article. We really need to pay attention to what our bodies are trying to tell us. Thanks.

I plan on purchasing one of those bandannas soon - I'm getting ready to ride over Lolo Pass in MT. We'll be traveling through Riggins Idaho that was 120 last time I rode through there in August. I think the bandanna sounds like a great idea.

[caddman11]

Great article, thanks.

[dantama]

Originally Posted by wolfman

I don't know about that article. Does anyone else think it sounds fishy? I wonder if that guy has ever sat in a car with the windows rolled up on a hot day?

I could see some of the logic in his claims, but I still wouldn't follow them.

When your skin is exposed to the hot wind, it's like having a wet something and holding a blow dryer to it, it's going to dry out faster.

That said, if I'm stopped at a long light with my full face helmet on, it gets too damn hot. Sitting at the same light with the helmet off isn't as hot.

His idea of bundling up light a camel rider won't be happening for me. I have a mesh textile armored jacket that lets the wind blow right through it; on a hot day it feels much cooler than my zipped up tight leather one. He claims otherwise.

How much of this is perception, and how much is real, I don't know. But perception is everything, and I feel cooler on a hot day not bundled up.

[trip]

What it all boils down to is this: Sweat and Drink. Give yourself an avenue to sweat and certainly give it an avenue to drink.

When riding in 90+ degree weather, I have always stopped about every 60-80 miles (whether I feel like it or not) and give my body a break and drink. I usually will drink water first (16 ounces or more), then rotate it with Gatorade or G2. And, I always drink a boatload of water before I embark on my trip.

It usually works out that every two times I stop, I need to fuel. I always carry water and G2 with me just in case I can't buy it anywhere. In fact, I carry a small, soft-bag cooler that fits in my hard bag with drinks iced down.

I usually wear a long-sleeved, t-shirt that is light colored, white or something like that. The less skin exposed to the heat, the less the wind will draw the moisture out of you. Sometimes I wear short sleeves....just depends. Whether it be sunny or cloudy, I always wear sun block.

I've practiced this routine while riding in hot weather for years. I know it can get really hot in Arizona and California in the summer. But in May, it gets up to 110 degrees in the Big Bend region of Texas (115+ in the summer), especially on the Rio Grande River. I've seen many motorcycle riders on the side of the road throwing up and dizzy from heat exhaustion. By that time, it's too late.

I'm not saying I know everything about hydration......I just know the routine I practice while riding in hot weather works for me.