Tips for Staying Cool on Your Motorcycle This Summer
Nothing can ruin an otherwise amazing motorcycle ride quite like unrelenting, punishing heat. Summer is just around the corner; do you know how to stay cool while on the bike? By taking a few simple steps, investing in the right accessories and keeping a few things in mind, you can beat the heat even on the hottest and most humid days.
Top Six Tips for Staying Cool while Riding This Summer
These tips will help you not only stay cool but avoid potentially serious health problems like heat exhaustion, which can actually lead to injury or even death:
- Know the Warning Signs – Familiarize yourself with the most common signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion so that you can react in time if they occur. They include extreme fatigue, excessive sweating, nausea, cramps, dizziness, headaches and pale or flushed skin. Should you notice any of these signs, pull over and take steps to cool yourself down right away.
- Stay Hydrated – Even on a very hot day, it’s easy to get so wrapped up in riding the bike that you forget to keep drinking water. For safety’s sake, aim to consume at least one liter of water per hour. This is especially important on very hot days. By the time you actually feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Keep that from happening by proactively drinking water throughout your ride.
- Dress Appropriately – Staying covered up on a bike is important year-round to avoid road rash and other injuries. Counterintuitively, it’s even more important in hot weather. The less skin that’s exposed, the better you’ll be able to stay cool. Choose breathable garments whenever possible, and consider investing in a cooling vest. It’s packed with water-retaining beads. It forms a cooling layer after being submerged in water, shaken off and put on beneath your jacket.
- Make Regular Stops – In punishingly hot weather, plan your route so that you can stop at air-conditioned gas stations and the like. If possible, put your helmet in a cooler while replenishing water and other supplies so it will be nice and cold when you put it back on.
- Ventilate – Most biking gear includes vents that promote airflow while riding. Make sure vents in jackets, helmets and other gear are fully open before hitting the road. While riding–and when it’s safe–occasionally stand on your pegs to let air flow around you more readily.
- Cool Down Your Bike – Consider removing the windscreen to allow air to flow more easily while you ride. If your bike has fairing vents, open them to cool things down even more.
Despite your best efforts, something could go awry while you’re on the road. If you need legal assistance regarding a North Carolina motorcycle accident give me a call at 919-942-1181. Visit our website today for more information.
Gary Poole – North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorney “On the Side of Those Who Ride”