Riding in the Heat
From BikeNomads
Riding in Heat
India is a hot place most of the year round. In fact, some people joke that in most parts of india there are only 2 seasons - hot and hotter ! As such, it will be inevitable that you will be finding rides which will be in the HOT season. For these rides, you need to be well prepared for the dry summer. Here are some points which we follow (contibuted by Vibhu (diablo) and Ravi(apache longbow) )
- Each person should have atleast 2lts of water in their luggage. I prefer 2 1lt bottles as they are easy to access.
- You can also carry glucose and electrol pouches. As we perspire we loose body salts and we need to get them back.
- Don't drink tea/coffee - they are diuretic and you loose more body water. As many of the people I travel with know - i like having Maaza :-D.
- Wear clothes which cover your body entirely - they will prevent sun burn. Wear clothes that don't flap. It will be uncomfortable when you stop, but while moving you will not have that great a discomfirt as you may be thinking. If you have sensitive skin pack along some skin ointments.
- Have a hanky which you can wrap around your neck. You can wet it up at each stop and put it on your neck - it provides quite a lot of relief.
- Stop frequently if you feel like stopping. Don't push yourself.
- Try and avoid riding with dark colored/black helmets. These do absorb a lot of heat.
- Avoid riding on relayered (patched up) asphalt. At mid day some asphalt patches become semi solid and the effect wud be like riding on slush
- Plan and take water/rest breaks frequently.
- Do stop for an hour or so at mid day coz it might be too hot to ride
- Cover every bit of exposed skin either with sun tan or with clothes. Esp at higher altitudes coz the sunburn gets real bad there.
- Have a light lunch. Heavy lunch will make you very sleepy.