How to stay cool in 30-35deg heat on bike

CV35Ian

CV35Ian

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Just driving round Croatia. Lots of bikes but many people inc those on big tourers are riding in shorts , t shirts and flip flops - even on motorways. That’s a total no no for me. Others are in full bike gear but wondering how they stay cool. I was too hot in UK temps recently .
Can you get cooling vests etc?
 
CV35Ian said:
Can you get cooling vests etc?
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Yes you can, but I have an Enduroguard suit and found the vents were all I needed for staying cool in 30+° in France a few weeks ago. The front opens completely to reveal a mesh panel so, as long as you have the other vents open as well, the through flow of air is sufficient. Otherwise, I’d just wear a damp t-shirt underneath.
 
Mesh suits work pretty well, in as much as they create a feeling of cooling. In reality, the air you are moving through is still at 30 C or whatever the ambient air temperature is. What is mostly happening is the evaporation of sweat, which can often leave you dehydrated very quickly.

Drink lots of water and then drink some more. It makes no difference if the bottle has got warm in the sun, water is water is water.

Equally, you get bikermates, who have sought to eliminate even the smallest amount of airflow, buying bigger screens for exactly that purpose. They then wonder why they get hot…. Not that their expanded ‘True Tosser’ girth, helps.
 
“Chap in the cap” can’t stop singing praise for Macna cooling vest.


Unfortunately Motolegends are pulling plug on all Macna Products, due to the way Macna want to do the business, which does not suit how Motolegends want to be doing business. They have only one size left (4XL & 5XL) of the cooling vest which might or might not work for you.

On my recent trip to south of France, I’ve dunked my t-shirt and my mesh jacket into the river. It gave me the best 45-60 minutes of riding in the afternoons heat. It was just sublime. Had it rained, I wouldn’t have bothered wearing my waterproof jacket.
 
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I’ve been wearing Klim Badlands for some time and find the venting very effective. Whatever suit you have remember to open the vents on the rear to allow the air to flow through.
When it gets hot, you get hot. When it’s really hot, high 30s and above, I believe riding without being covered will increase dehydration and fatigue.

A Camelbak has been a part of my riding gear on trips away for many a year. Being able to drink a little and often whilst in the move is much better for hydration than guzzling a litre or more once you stop.
 
rovert57 said:
Just soak your t shirt and wring it out , put it back on should cool you down for 30 mins
or so rinse and repeat .
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Or do as I did. Dunk and wear. No need for wringing it out.

At the river where I’ve done so, I was very tempted to just have a quick swim fully clothed. :D
Besides my boots, I was wearing wicking t-shirt and underpants, thin merino wool socks and full Rukka mesh suit.

Image 24-08-2024 at 16.40.jpeg
 
I wear a Klim Baja S4 jacket and trs in the warmer weather, no issue with being too warm even when working hard off road. Camelbak is always worn too and I drink plenty of water. This was me on the BMW off road cse cooling off after a busy session.

IMG_6404.jpeg
 
When my parents lived in the middle of Provence, the south facing mid-morning to mid-afternoon temperatures could hit the high 30’s for days on end. Hotter still on the tarmac, with its radiated heat.

Locals and / or anyone with any real sense, did their ‘outside’ activities, first thing. By first thing, it means any time after 06:30 but finishing by 10:30 and not starting again until around 16:00. The light, warm evenings extended the day, naturally.
 
When we were in the states a few years it was 43 degrees in Arizona/Texas/New Mexico. We just had to ditch the jacket it was that hot and rode on bike jeans boots short gloves & lid.
In Toledo we found a BMW dealership and they sold the sleeveless jacket you soak. It worked well but as soon as it was dry it was just another layer that you didn’t need.
 
Drink drink drink
as the song goes!!!!
i learnt the lesson the hard way some years ago...

On my recent return from sids, i did over 2 litres from the drinks pack, on the way back, and several large coffees at the rest stops

Still very tired at the end of it, but no dehydration or headaches
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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