How can I keep cool while cycling?

Question

I am going to start to ride my bike to work and back. Luckily I can get to work early but on the way home temps will be about 95-105 degrees. Does anyone have any tips on keeping cool? Like wearing a certain type of shirt, drinking lots of water, etc. Anything that might help

Answer 1

Wearing cycling clothes, like jersey and lycra shorts keep you way cooler. This would require you change clothes because you wouldn't want to wear this to work. Drinking lots of water is good. You can use a camel back for the water or if you want standard water bottles I have bought insulated ones that work well. A good helmet will also keep you cool. It keeps the sun off your head plus the vents actually direct air to keep you cool.

Answer 2

Do not wear any cotton. Wear clothing made from materials that will wick the moisture away from your body. Wear light colors. I've found that there is a huge difference between water and a sports drink like Gatorade when the ride is hot. Drink lots, as much as a quart every 45 minutes to an hour.

HTH

Answer 3

loose cotton shirts, bottled water with you, short pants

Wet a cloth strip and put on neck before starting the trip.

and wear your helmet plus goggles

Answer 4

Like the others said, do NOT wear cotton!! You will be soaking wet and chafed big time.  Invest in a good pair of cycling shorts, but get the mountain bike style which just look like a pair of baggy shorts. Remember that you do not wear undies with these or you will be chafed liked you've never been before.   Buy some moisture wicking shirts to wear, which you can buy anywhere now, even at Target.  Assuming you are going to wear a helmet, the more vents, the better.  I just invested in a good helmet and boy did it make a difference!!  My head was much cooler, even riding in 97 degree heat.

Answer 5

Unlike flowerpet56, I would NOT sugsest cotton for keeping cool. Cotton just seems to store all the sweat in the fabric, making it heavy and not very nice to wear.

I'd suggest a proper cycling jersey. I have one that only cost me £15 ($30) and it makes such a difference. The material wicks away your sweat from the skin, making it evaporate much more quickly.

Answer 6

i really dont recommend biking in that weather at all but if it is less than 15 miles you might be able to just wear some clothing that breathes and reflects the sun and drink lots of water the night before you go out.

Answer 7

I would just make sure you are drinking lots of water throughout the day so your body is hydrated enough by the time you are ready to leave work.

Answer 8

The biggest thing that helps is the breeze you get from the wind going by as you ride. Perhaps paradoxically riding across or against the wind when it's hot is cooler than riding with the wind. Combine that with not working too hard when it's really hot, wearing a helmet with a good venturi cooling effect, drinking regularly and wearing a "wicking" type fabric cycling shirt (e.g. polypropylene, never cotton ... it gets wet and starts to chaffe (yeuck!)), and you pretty much have it covered.

I have ridden a Century ride in humid, 100 degree weather ... it wasn't fun, but we all got through it by keeping hydrated.

You WILL need a cooling shower when you get home though ... no matter what you do.