- Joined
- Mar 21, 2006
- Messages
- 2,106
- Age
- 72
- Location
- Yuma, Arizona. AKA Paradise Lost
- Bike
- '08 Connie C14
- STOC #
- 6114
It may not be so hot where you are, but it was 115? at MCAS Yuma today. Time to review hot weather survival tips.
RULE 1. Hydrate. Before, after, during. The Marines say you need to drink one ounce of water per kilogram of body weight when it is really hot. Something over 100 oz per day for me. OK, OK. 110 ounces per day for me. If you are riding in this sort of weather, you can not catch up. You MUST keep putting fluids in all day. A good rule of thumb is "Drink enough water that you pee completly clear once each day."
2. Shade yourself. I use a mesh jacket, wear it all the time. It is much cooler than riding in a tee shirt. If you are not ATGATT, at least wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt. The more skin you expose, the more evaporation and de hydration you encourage.
3. Stop and smell the shade. Generally speaking, I try to stop every 100 miles when it is 110? or over. I carry a hydration pack, so I can keep hydrated while I ride, but a little time under the air conditioner or at least in the shade makes a BIG difference. Is a good time to have a cold ice tea. If you start to feel punky, get stopped and shaded with a cold (non alcoholic) drink in your hand. Alcohol will speed the de hydration...
I use an evaporation vest, makes a huge difference in my riding. Doesn't just extend it, makes it pleasant even at the high temps we get. I also try (it doesn't always work) to do the bulk of my riding in the very early am this time of year...I head for the high country at 4:00 am regularly...
NWS said to stay inside unless it is an emergency today and tomorrow. No can do, I fear I will try to be as wise as I can in regard to the heat, however.
Ride safe. I suspect that half the single MC accidents in hot weather are at least compounded by heat fatigue or de hydration. It sucks out your brains.
RULE 1. Hydrate. Before, after, during. The Marines say you need to drink one ounce of water per kilogram of body weight when it is really hot. Something over 100 oz per day for me. OK, OK. 110 ounces per day for me. If you are riding in this sort of weather, you can not catch up. You MUST keep putting fluids in all day. A good rule of thumb is "Drink enough water that you pee completly clear once each day."
2. Shade yourself. I use a mesh jacket, wear it all the time. It is much cooler than riding in a tee shirt. If you are not ATGATT, at least wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt. The more skin you expose, the more evaporation and de hydration you encourage.
3. Stop and smell the shade. Generally speaking, I try to stop every 100 miles when it is 110? or over. I carry a hydration pack, so I can keep hydrated while I ride, but a little time under the air conditioner or at least in the shade makes a BIG difference. Is a good time to have a cold ice tea. If you start to feel punky, get stopped and shaded with a cold (non alcoholic) drink in your hand. Alcohol will speed the de hydration...
I use an evaporation vest, makes a huge difference in my riding. Doesn't just extend it, makes it pleasant even at the high temps we get. I also try (it doesn't always work) to do the bulk of my riding in the very early am this time of year...I head for the high country at 4:00 am regularly...
NWS said to stay inside unless it is an emergency today and tomorrow. No can do, I fear I will try to be as wise as I can in regard to the heat, however.
Ride safe. I suspect that half the single MC accidents in hot weather are at least compounded by heat fatigue or de hydration. It sucks out your brains.