Staying Cool While Riding is Vital
I remember it like it was yesterday—my first time riding a motorcycle. It was 80 degrees outside, my mouth was dry, my heart was pumping, and the sweat was pouring down my brow.
The bike was a 2017 Harley Davidson Heritage Classic. I struggled to master the perfect ratio of clutch to throttle to move the 700 pound beast of a machine without killing it. As the bike got hotter, so did I, until I felt light-headed.
Little did I know, I was learning one of the most important lessons of riding: ASH – Always Stay Hydrated.
It’s summer in Iowa, folks. If you’re planning a ride to one of your favorite biker events this weekend, fair warning: it’s going to get hotter! KCCI says temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s with heat index values potentially reaching 100-110 degrees in Iowa this weekend. I thought I was hot learning to ride in the 80s with a similar heat-index. Imagine how overheated I would have gotten if I was learning to ride in the kind of extreme heat we are expecting this weekend!
As I learned the hard way, heat exhaustion and dehydration are real risks that can affect your performance and safety on the road. Here are some essential tips to help you stay cool and safe while riding your motorcycle in hot weather. This is a pretty comprehensive article and we are going to repeat ourselves on a few things. Strap in folks, this is going to be a good ride.
Understanding the Dangers of Heat Exhaustion and Dehydration
Understanding the dangers of heat exhaustion and dehydration is crucial.
Heat exhaustion and dehydration are real risks that can severely impact your health and safety on the road. Heat exhaustion occurs when your body overheats, leading to symptoms like heavy sweating, dizziness, and fainting. Dehydration, on the other hand, results from inadequate fluid intake, causing cognitive impairment, muscle cramps, and cardiovascular strain.
Preventing Heat Exhaustion and Dehydration
- Hydrate Regularly: The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics recommends drinking water and electrolyte beverages to replenish fluids regularly.
- Avoid Diuretics: Limit intake of caffeine and alcohol, which can increase fluid loss.
- Wear Appropriate Gear: Use ventilated and moisture-wicking gear to help your body cool down. We’ll get more into this in a minute.
- Take Breaks: Rest in shaded or cool areas frequently to allow your body to recover.
- Monitor Your Health: Be aware of symptoms like heavy sweating, dizziness, and nausea, and take immediate action if they occur.
- Monitor Urine Color: Aim for light-colored urine as a sign of proper hydration; dark urine indicates dehydration.
Staying hydrated is not just about comfort—it’s about ensuring your safety and performance on the road. Always prioritize hydration to maintain alertness, control, and overall well-being while riding in the heat.
4 Tips for Staying Cool on a Motorcycle (and One Safety Tip)
1. Stay Hydrated
Stay hydrated by carrying a reliable water bottle like Owala, which (in my experience) keeps ice frozen for up to 12 hours. Pair this with electrolyte drinks to replenish lost salts. Drinking plenty of water before and during your ride is the best way to keep your body cool from the inside.
Be sure to keep extra water in your saddlebags- up to a gallon is more than reasonable. Some riders like to wear a camelbak-type water bag on their back with half water and half ice. We should probably remind you that the best way to stay hydrated is by drinking water. Not coffee, energy drinks, or adult beverages- water.
2. Wear Appropriate Gear
Choose gear that promotes airflow, like ventilated helmets and mesh jackets, and use cooling products such as vests and neck wraps.
3. Take Breaks
Regularly stop in shaded areas to cool down and drink water. Avoid riding during the hottest part of the day, typically between 11 AM and 3 PM.If you’re drinking plenty of water, you will likely have to pee anyway. Iowa’s highways have tons of great rest stops to check out offering a place to cool down, relieve your bladder, and freshen up your water supply. It’s a good idea to know where these are when planning your route.
4. Plan Your Route
Opt for routes with plenty of stops and shaded areas. Highways with minimal shade can be significantly hotter. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to adjust your plans if extreme heat warnings are issued.
- Bonus Safety Tip: Urine Inspection
Speaking of pee breaks, when relieving yourself, pay attention to the shade of your urine. Knowing what to look for can help you catch early warning signs of dehydration and heat stroke. If you’re fully hydrated, your pee should be clear. Dark or deep-colored urine is your body’s way of telling you you need water- especially if coupled with a headache, so pay attention!
How Do You Not Sweat When Riding a Motorcycle?
It’s nearly impossible to completely avoid sweating when riding in hot weather, and honestly, you wouldn’t want to. Sweating is your body’s way of naturally cooling itself. When the air temperature is higher than skin temperature, sweating is actually critical for survival.
That said, sweat dripping into your eyes while you’re riding poses its own danger. This is why a lot of riders love to wear a bandana. Now let’s get into gear.
ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time)
ATGATT is not just a philosophy for many of us, it’s a way of life. This means advocating for wearing full protective gear on every ride, regardless of the weather conditions. Here’s why ATGATT is important and valuable, even in extreme heat:
- Protection: Full gear, including helmets, jackets, pants, gloves, and boots, provides essential protection in case of an accident. Quality gear can prevent or reduce injuries.
- Specialized Hot Weather Gear: Look for gear made from breathable, mesh materials designed for hot weather. These allow airflow while still offering protection.
- Cooling Features: Many high-quality motorcycle jackets and pants come with built-in ventilation systems, cooling vests, and moisture-wicking materials to help keep you cool.
- Long-Term Benefits: Consistent use of protective gear can prevent severe injuries, leading to fewer medical bills and a safer riding experience.
Believe it or not, wearing more gear can actually keep your body cooler- as long as it’s the right gear. It’s time we talk about reverse windchill.
What is Reverse Windchill?
If you live in Iowa, you probably are all too familiar with the idea of windchill and tend to associate it with winter. We like to think of it as how cold it feels outside. Reverse windchill, also known as “wind heating,” is the phenomenon where moving air at high temperatures causes your body to heat up rather than cool down. This is especially relevant for motorcyclists riding in hot weather. Here’s how it works:
- Exposure to Hot Air: As you ride, hot air flows over your body, increasing your body temperature.
- Increased Sweating: Your body sweats more to try and cool down, but this can lead to dehydration.
- Heat Retention: Without proper gear, your body may retain more heat, making you feel hotter.
To help fight skin exposure to hot air, many riders like to wear a long-sleeve exercise shirt made of moisture-wicking material. How it works is as you sweat your body releases heat. The moisture-wicking material pulls that sweat away from the body and evaporates it through the fabric and speeds up the cooling process.
Heat Related Personal Injury Concerns
Riding in extreme heat increases the risk of accidents due to reduced concentration and physical fatigue. When riding, you need to be the sharpest version of yourself to stay safe so it’s vital to stay hydrated and stay alert.
Beware the Tar Snake’s Bite
Tar Snakes might not be real snakes, but they still pose a threat to riders on a hot day.
Watch out for tar snakes, those sneaky, tar-filled cracks on the road that can become slippery in the heat.
If you see a tar snake, do your best to avoid it. And if you can’t, treat them like railroad tracks: cross at 90 degrees, keep your body upright, and maintain a steady speed. If you encounter a large patch, pull in the clutch and coast through to prevent slipping.
If your rear tire starts to slip, don’t panic.You can keep control of your ride as long as you keep your calm, stay in your lane, look forward, hold the handlebars lightly, and keep your body steady. The tire will eventually grip again.
Now, if you come across a big ol’ patch of tar snakes and there’s no way around ’em, sometimes the best thing to do is to pull in the clutch and treat it like a patch of ice. Just coast through it, making sure your rear wheel is clear before re-engaging the engine. This will help prevent you from slipping and sliding.
Calling for Help
If you find yourself injured in a motorcycle accident, even a minor one, it’s time to seek legal advice immediately. At The Biker Lawyers, we’re bikers too, and we understand the unique challenges you face. Contact us for a free consultation to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. Stay cool out there, and ride safe!