10 Hot Weather Riding Myths - BUSTED
 Myth #1: When it's really hot it's too uncomfortable to ride
Initially this myth holds some truth. If you're not up to speed on ways to
cool your body down, you may be thinking that there is reality to this.
Especially if you're one of those people whose on-board thermostat (the thyroid)
just does not do well in the hot sun. But as you read on you may learn a tip or two
that will actually make hot summer riding fun for you.
Myth #2: Mesh gear will keep you cooler
To a degree, or should we say a few degrees, mesh gear will provide some relief from the heat. Up into
the 80's for most people. But keep in mind that your thyroid is attempting to
regulate your body temperature at 98.6 degrees. Riding into a wall of 90 degree
plus air won't provide any cool options with which your thyroid can work with.
At about 90 degrees or higher you'll need some skin surface moisture and some
air. Lots of air and no skin surface moisture is a recipe for dehydration and
sun stroke. But as you ride with mesh gear on your body, the air is quickly
wicking away any moisture coming to the surface of the skin which will leave you
dry and hot. Read on.
 Myth #3: When it's really hot strip down to shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt
You see it all the time, but this is a faster route to dehydration and sun
stroke than number two, not to mention sun damage to your skin which you may
have to deal with later in life at the skin cancer center. Keep as much of your
skin covered when you ride to reduce sun damage and road rash and help stay cool. Some
may ask - "How can that be?" Keep reading.
Myth #4: Full textile and leather gear is too hot on hot days
Well-built textile and leather gear with good venting provides the right
amount of airflow to pass over your perspiring skin and offers some natural
evaporative cooling. Moisture is released through the surface of your skin and
transfers excess heat away via the airflow. That's the way mother nature built
the human body. With full coverage gear, you won't wick all that moisture away
like you would in shorts, a t-shirt or mesh gear. But there's another way to
increase your evaporative cooling ability which we will discuss in #6.
 Myth #5: Textile over-pants
were made to be worn over - PANTS
Most riders that wear textile over-pants do so with a pair of pants
underneath. The stuffy pair of blue jeans or otherwise can make wearing over-pants a little uncomfortable and provide too much insulation at a time when you
don't want it. To remedy this, simply wear nothing but a pair of wicking skins
and over-the-calf socks and notice how much more mobility you have and how much better you feel when the
heat comes on.
 Myth #6: A wet neck tie does wonders to cool me down
The hottest part of your body is your core. From there, main arteries head for
your arms, legs and brain. Wearing a cool tie or otherwise only partially cools
down the arteries going to your brain. If your core is overheated, then the blood
moving to all your extremities is overheated. You need relief at the core, not
the neck. An evaporative cooling vest with a nominal amount of airflow will
assist your thyroid and body with keeping your blood at a far more acceptable
temperature than a wet neck tie. Your whole body will love you for it.
 Myth #7: You can never drink enough water
While it's true you need to keep water intake steady throughout the day, it is
indeed possible to drink too much. If every time you pee, your urine is clear
like water, you may have peed out all your electrolytes and you're now on the
verge of the same symptoms as sun stroke bundled with organ damage. Keep the
water flowing throughout the day in reasonable amounts, but refrain from
drinking a few liters of water every hour.
 Myth #8: A baseball cap is all I need on my head when I take off my helmet
Imagine you're riding through Death Valley. It's 116 degrees and you get a
flat tire. You have the tools on board to fix it but it's going to take 20-30
minutes to do so. With just a baseball cap you still have your ears and neck
exposed to the sun. They look a little fogey-like but it's best to carry a full
brimmed hat that was designed to be worn in hot sun.
 Myth #9: Gatorade and energy drinks provide the proper hydration and
electrolytes my body needs to ride in the hot sun. The sport drink commercials
said so.
Gatorade and energy drinks are loaded with sugar and caffeine, which is
essentially an oxymoronic recipe that backfires when it comes to hydration since
these two ingredients promote dehydration. If you're looking to increase your
intake of electrolytes, use an electrolyte additive and mix it with your water,
juice, diet soda or any other beverage you like.
 Myth #10: I can't use sunscreen when I ride because it burns my eyes
There are various types of sunscreen on the market today. Many utilize all
sorts of chemicals to block the sun's UV rays and keep the product affixed to
your skin. And amidst all this chemistry lie certain ingredients that burn the
eyes if they get in there via sweating or just using your finger to try and
clear your eye of dirt. Look for sunscreens that have few ingredients yet yield
a high SPF rating and then test a few out.
Sparky Morningwood/Spring 09 |
