Let’s face it, riding in warm conditions takes away part of the pleasure. Living in Texas like I do is great for riding year around however, June through August can reach temps over 100 degrees making it hard to bear.
I used to find myself riding a couple times in early summer and then just waiting it out until cooler temps came later in the season. Luckily, over the years, I have accumulated a few tips and tricks that allow me to ride all summer long with a smile (most the time anyway).
First off, start riding early in the morning. If you can’t get your riding buddies out of bed in time to hit the trails by 7 or 8 am, then find new riding buddies! I’m always amazed when I’m driving home from a ride and I see people by the dozens just starting to ride around noon. I understand that some people just can’t get away early for whatever reasons, but try your best; it makes a huge difference in summer riding.
Wear some decent ventilated riding gear such as Thor AC, Moose Sahara, or the like. They really do work. If you’re a knee brace wearer, use thinner, shorter socks and vented knee brace socks. The more skin you can expose under vented pants the better.
Also, check out my new product on the market called the “Headration System.” This product is a helmet cooling system that connects to most hydration packs on the market and dispenses water onto your head. This dramatically reduces the temp inside the helmet making you feel cooler. It works by pulling water from the hydration bladder using a bite valve then dispensing the water into the helmet by blowing into the bite valve. The helmet section is made of a small porous tube which easily installs under the helmet liner. This section is then attached to the hydration pack with a quick disconnect connector. It’s a well thought out system that uses small valves located inside the tubing to control the flow of water. It’s a great product for off road riding/racing and dual sport riding.
A good tip for your hydration bladder is to cool it, but not completely freeze it ahead of time. Some new hydration systems are insulated and that works great since you can place the bladder in a freezer and it will not completely freeze solid. The insulation will then help keep the bladder cool all day while riding, even in extreme temps. I place my hydration bladder in the freezer the night before riding and put my truck keys on the bladder so I don’t forget it! Another tip is to place the cool bladder under your chest protector so that the cool pack is against your back.
Lastly, if you ride dual sport, use a mess jacket and water it down from time to time. Just spray it down with a hose before heading out and again at each gas stop. You’ll swear you are riding in fall weather.
Hope these tips help make it easier for you to endure your warm weather riding.
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