CYCLING IN THE SUMMER

Vishnu Sharma
9-4-2021
Improve your Cycling Experience

Summer is upon us, which means: more time to ride Bicycles. But Cycling in hot weather comes with a whole set of challenges including dehydration that can lead to exhaustion, decreased performance, and sometimes, heat-related illness. That said, a little bit of sunshine or humidity shouldn’t keep you off your Bicycle. Here are Five Tips to help keep you enjoy riding your Bicycle in the Summer.

1. STAY HYDRATED

One of the biggest obstacles with Cycling in hot weather is maintaining adequate hydration. You will perspire more as your body naturally tries to cool itself down, but that sweat will evaporate quickly, meaning that it is hard for you to gauge exactly how much fluid you are losing. Drink little and often when riding, and make sure that you have plenty of drink with you or know of places on your route where you can obtain more drinks.

2. DRESS FOR THE WEATHER

Lightweight materials with dry-fit properties will help you cool off and prevent the uncomfortable build-up of sweat. A full-length front zip jersey can help you regulate temperature, and a lightweight base layer can also aid the removal and evaporation of sweat from your skin. The breeze you create by riding along has its own cooling effect, and it’s sometimes only when you stop riding do you feel exactly how hot it is.

3. KEEP AN EYE ON THE ROAD SURFACE

Having dealt with rain and potholes during the monsoon and winter, summer brings a different set of road conditions to be wary of. On very hot days, tarmac can melt, causing patches of slippery or sticky tar as the road surface lifts off in the heat. Aside from the danger of riding on an unstable surface, the tar can become stuck to your tyres, attracting grit and dirt.

4. COOL DOWN

While it may be tempting to toss ice cubes down your jersey, ice against the skin causes blood vessels to constrict, which shoots hot blood back to your core. If your core temperature climbs too high, performance and health can suffer. Instead, pour cool water over your neck and forearms, or wipe them down with a cool, damp towel.

5. RIDE IN THE EARLY MORNING OR LATE EVENING

A very obvious way to avoid the severity of the sun’s rays is to avoid the hottest periods of the day for your cycling trip. There is plenty of daylight in the summer months, so heading out early or at the end of the day can still mean you are riding in warm conditions, but without many of the heat hazards. If you ride in the evening, make sure you are equipped with lights in case you are enjoying yourself so much so you get caught when the sun goes down. Night riding can also be fun with a decent set of lights.

Conclusion

Pay particular attention to fluid intake when you get home, but also don’t forget to eat as you would normally after a ride. Making a recovery drink before your ride and putting it in the fridge ready for your return will provide you with a refreshing cold drink. A cold bath or shower will help you cool off and wash off the accumulated dirt. We hope we have provided every cycling enthusiast with useful tips for the hottest days on your Bicycle, because there is nothing better than the pleasure of riding your bicycle in any season.

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