Riding in Hot Weather

Unusually hot weather can turn pleasant rides into challenging experiences, but that doesn't mean a little heat should stop you from enjoying a nice ride. Scorching weather conditions can sometimes make a cycling enthusiast want to stay off his or her bike altogether. However, riding in hot weather is not necessarily impossible and here are a few tips to help keep cool and ride a little longer during summer scorchers.

Wear the right clothes - Be sure to put on clothing that allows effective perspiration to facilitate evaporation for faster cooling. Not many of us are going to wear silk while riding, but even cotton clothing isn't ideal since this type of fabric tends to absorb and retain sweat. Go for “technical” fabrics like lycra and spandex, otherwise tennis and golf-style shirts will be a credible option. You don't have to be a trend setter, just ride comfortable and moisture wicking fabrics will really help you be comfortable while staying a little cooler in the heat. 

Freeze water bottles - Freezing water bottles is a simple trick to keep water colder longer. Ice will melt during riding, providing cold water on the way, other than increasingly and not so refreshing stuff. The frozen water bottles should not be filled more than three-quarters. Any amount beyond this will burst the bottles because of expansion while freezing.

Squirting water on the head - To keep cool when riding in hot weather, using a bottle to squirt water on the cyclist’s head after every fifteen minutes will help to keep cool. The water being cooler than the head will offer an immediate temperature relief.

Wrap an icy or a wet cloth around the neck - Wrapping a wet cloth around the neck will do wonders to keep a cyclist cool. For optimal heat relief, shoving ice cubes in a specially stitched bandana will offer a lasting and an intense chill.

Nothing wrecks a ride like a little heat stroke, so drink plenty of water and take a few extra measures to cool your core.