What do you do for hot weather riding?

[cOoTeR]

Where I ride it gets really hot (Arizona) and I prefer to ride in full gear. If I'm going on a ride just to ride it's full gear, two piece leather suit, boots, gloves, and helmet. If it's commuting to work or the store it's normally jeans, leather riding jacket (top half of two piece), boots, gloves and helmet at a minimum. I've always gone by the mantra Dress for the slide not the ride, and believe no matter how hot it is sliding across the pavement is way more uncomfortable without gear.

Perforated and mesh suits don't work as well out here due to the dryness of the desert. They are kind of counter productive because the sweat evaporates so fast you seem to get dehydrated faster. That and it feels like you have a blow dryer blowing air at you at 70 mph when wearing them.

I just bought a Spidi suit from Riders Discount (awesome deal) with the optional hydroback. It has me thinking, what else can I do to improve my riding comfort? Do you guys have any particular base layer set up you use? Any tips and tricks from guys that ride in the heat a lot?

Normally I just drink tons of water before a ride and chug a large bottle of water or Gatorade at every fuel stop. While riding I'll unzip my suit a little for a few miles to get extra air circulating then once it doesn't seem to be cooling me off as much I zip back up for a few miles to let the sweat build up then repeat.

Edited December 18, 2014 by cOoTeR

[redbarron77]

Water....lots of water, and min 10 minute breaks every hour, depending on schedule.  

 

I believe the most critical thing is to know your limits.  Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are sneaky bastards that can creep up on even the most prepared riders.

 

AZ has high temps, low humidity.  Here in TX, there are periods of high humidity+temps, and low humidity+high temps.  

 

Take breaks, avoid diuretics(i.e. - alcohol, caffeinated drinks, etc), EAT sensibly, drink at regular intervals, and keep an eye on one another.

[Helmutt]

We have Alpine Stars branded under garments that help wick sweat and allow air to circulate through to cool you, but thats all we wear under our suits. Under Armor makes the same type of garment. Helps us stay cooler at trackdays for sure.

For city riding and backroading, its typical street gear and regular breaks like red mentioned above. Dont have any real tips aside from the common sense rules of hydrating frequently, eating small portions often, and rest off the bike occasionally.

[shadyone]

I put a bunch of ice in my hydration pack. keeps my back cooler. a little. also allows you to drink on the road. which is nice.plus you can use it to wet your head at breaks.I also sometimes if its really really hot ill wet a bandana and put it on before my helmet. works well till it dries. 

[Earache]

I do 2-3 rides each year across southern Utah in the desert where the temps arer always well above 100F. Always wear the same gear; Aerostich Roadcrafter suit with jogging tights and a tee shirt underneath. Usually have a Camelbak on with ice in it which I wear under my jacket. It sweats and the cool water on my back feels great. When you stop, the shirt dries out in a few minutes in the dry heat.

When moving with the side vents on the jacket open, air is forced around your sides and onto your back providing a very cool feeling. Works very well plus ya can drink on the move.

I also carry a soft sided 12 pack cooler from Polar Bear ( see: http://www.polarbearcoolers.com/category/12_pack_soft_coolers.html ). I fill it with ice and drinks each morning. It's great to have an ice cold drink when you stop at a desert vista for a bit.

Also carry the cooler on all of my trips that invlove staying overnight. Great to keep beers cold in your room at night as well.

Edited December 19, 2014 by Earache

[Gixxus Christ!]

Soak a small towel and wrap it around your neck. As the water evaporates it cools the blood running through your main arteries and that helps cool the rest of you...so basically an oil cooler for your body.

[GixxerTravis]

Those as seen on tv frog towel things work really good!!! Lasts a lot longer than a wet towel, with virtually the same effect