Summer Riding & How to Manage Heat

MidLife said:
The HD guys don't care, they just blast down the emergency lane. I don't do that...too scared to be hit by the HD guys!
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I no longer ride the breakdown lane, either.
Sliced a 4in slit in a brand-new $250 rear tire once, rim to rim and unrepairable. Ran over something I didn't see on the shoulder, even spent 15 minutes looking for it after I cut it. Mystery.
And I was only riding at 10mph to get off the road to the next exit.
I'd be less worried about being rear-ended, than some careless OR aggressive driver coming over to try the same.
Even had an 18-wheeler move to the shoulder, trying to block me once. I just moved back into his lane he had just cleared for me, and went around as he stood on that air horn.
So I just sit and sweat now, if I'm so unfortunate as to be stuck in a freeway traffic jam.
 
There are times when its just too much. I don't leave the harbor to go sailing if there is a small craft advisory and its blowing 35kts. I don't fly in those conditions either. The convertible top stays up with the AC on if I'm sitting in traffic in 90+*F heat. So to I've learned to just park the bike when its too hot or too cold, or wet. There are limits now, at least for me. If I can stay relatively comfortable, then I'm all for it. But arriving frozen solid, or drenched with sweat and bordering on heat stroke, well, its just not enjoyable. And that is the point, is it not?
 
MidLife said:
www.latimes.com

Motorcycle tour of Death Valley turns fatal as thermometer cracks 128 degrees

As the temperature climbed to a record 128 degrees in Death Valley National Park, a group of motorcyclists was sickened by the heat, and one died.
www.latimes.com www.latimes.com
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Well, it's called DEATH valley... If you don't prepare for that, you are NOT prepared... It is sad but it is kinda like jumping off a pier and half way down thinking maybe you should see how deep the water is, or if there's any water.

Water is key.. that becomes the most important thing on your bike when going some place like that. Living in the southwest it's easy to become dehydrated as soon as the temps hit 85 degrees... The winter can be bad too because you don't feel like you need water so you avoid it.
 
As long as I got water, I am usually good. I carry GU hydration 1 inch tabs full of electrolytes / sodium / potassium that dissolve in water. I drop it in the platypus at every water filling.

Also, If the temperature goes > 97-98 degrees, I close all vents (jacket and pants).
 
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Uncle Phil said:
The big thing in the southeast USA is dealing with the high humidity.
You can dehydrate and not cool as your sweat does not evaporate to cool you as it should.
I've tried those 'cooling vests' and about all they do is get me wet and not cool.
As Joe said, got to keep those fluids flowing in - as well as out! :biggrin:
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Yes sir! If you aren't peeing at every stop when it's hot, you aren't taking in enough fluids.
 
Tor said:
As long as I got water, I am usually good. I carry GU hydration 1 inch tabs full of electrolytes / sodium / potassium that dissolve in water. I drop it in the platypus at every water filling.

Also, If the temperature goes > 97-98 degrees, I close all vents (jacket and pants).
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David Hough did an article on how to ride in HOT temps. He says the same thing. Here's a link to read for yourself. https://soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/when_youre_hot.aspx

The takeaways for me, is that at 93F, my thyroid gland can't keep up with regulating my internal body temperature. Unrestricted air hitting my body, is like turning the hair dryer on myself. It doesn't cool me down because the sweat dries before it can cool me down.

I have these long sleeved compression shirts that are designed to cool you down. I've tried riding with them, and without them. When the temp is at 95F...it is way hotter without the shirts covering my arms than with them.

Chris
 
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