Ideas

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

I shared an idea on Sunday that had been passed on to me to make the rides more enjoyable on hot days:

Treat your glasses/eye protection with Rain-X, that will prevent them from fogging up and eliminate sweat from messing up your vision while you ride.

Anyone got any other ideas that maybe help anyone in anything and/or everything out on the trails??

[LBmtb]

Sunblock when sun's out and bug spray when bug's are out.

[TURNERob]

Ride early

Chamois Butter or Vaseline in the shorts. Having ice in your hydration pack to keep your beverage of choice nice and cold makes a big difference for me.

[EBasil]

On long rides where you'll cross places to water-up, dose a waterbottle with the same amount of cytomax (whatnot) you'd use in your camelback. When you refill your camelback, dump in 3/4 of the water bottle before filling the bladder, then top off the bottle: now you've got full loads of your electrolyte drink in both for the next leg.

For really long rides, dose the waterbottle REALLY heavy, and just use it to reload the camelback 1/4 of a waterbottle at a time.

[imapodaddy]

Originally Posted by FXRob

Ride early *

I'm with FxRob on that one. I've made a mistake riding in the middle of July right after church (1pm) at Aliso Woods. Nearly passed out from all the heat.

So now I've always made it a point to ride as early as possible and be back no later than 10am.

Oh another tip, don't use a skater helmet on hot days. Make sure you use one that has at least 17 vents on it to keep cool.

[Ciaran]

Ride with a bell so that hikers and animals can hear you coming.
ALWAYS say hello to other trail users with a friendly smile.
If you are riding alone, make sure somebody knows where you are and what route you will be taking.

Just a few off the top of my head. Not really about riding in the heat, but riding in general.

And one for in the heat... wear white.

[JamR]

Carry ID at all times and keep a card in your camelback with an emergency contact number and any important personal medical information.

Also carry a cell phone for yourself and to call in for help for others if needed.

First aid kit is also a must (especially anti-bacterial cream). There's lots of nasty bacteria out there that gets into fresh open cuts if you don't clean them right away.

[Big Guy]

I carry some anti-septic wipes. They are great to remove any dirt from a wound and clean off the blood before you get back in the car.

[Schecky]

Talcum in the tire before you put the tube in - I've only had one pinch flat ever. (Yeah, I know, I need to go tubeless)

Be on time and have a fully stocked pack.

Join an advocacy club.

If you lose a cleat screw, you can use a bottle cage bolt in a pinch.

Lube your chain.

Best tip ever - Frequent the Path!

[imapodaddy]

Originally Posted by Ciaran

Ride with a bell so that hikers and animals can hear you coming.
ALWAYS say hello to other trail users with a friendly smile.
If you are riding alone, make sure somebody knows where you are and what route you will be taking.

Just a few off the top of my head. Not really about riding in the heat, but riding in general.

And one for in the heat... wear white.

Hey I've got a bell! My buddy Moe gave it to me a few years ago. It's a little Kona Cow Bell. I think eveyone should have one! \/

[Ciaran]

Originally Posted by imapodaddy

Hey I've got a bell! My buddy Moe gave it to me a few years ago. It's a little Kona Cow Bell. I think eveyone should have one! \/

Excellent! Those bells are sweet, and I think getting hard to come by. I looked on ebay and couldn't find any. Maybe I am just looking in the wrong place.

Some great tips here. Especially about carrying ID and a phone. Mucho important.

The Path, huh? I have heard good things about them. Where are they? Probably too far from me.

[RC]

Always keep your water bladder in the refrigerator(when not in use) and will never go green. mine over a year old and blue as new!

[JamR]

If you fill your camelback with Red Bull........dilute it generously with water, otherwise your camelback will blow up when you hit the bumps since it's slightly carbonated.

Never experienced it myself but saw a friends pack pop its top coming down Rock It.

I laughed so hard I crashed

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by RC

Always keep your water bladder in the refrigerator(when not in use) and will never go green. mine over a year old and blue as new!

I slapped that sucker in the freezer after reading this

[Ladd Jasper]

A section of clear vinyl tubing (3/4" OD or so) split lengthwise, and a couple zip ties makes a good chain guard. It's durable, light, and lets the chainstay color show through.

[Shwayd]

I always toss my camelback in the freezer for a couple hours before a hot ride. By the time you need some water, you'll have some (and it's cold as hell).

[Big Guy]

I keep my water bottle full in the fridge all the time. Before I ride, I empty it and fill it with fresh water. This way it never taste like plastic.

[project_d]

[quote="CiaranThose bells are sweet, and I think getting hard to come by. I looked on ebay and couldn't find any. Maybe I am just looking in the wrong place.[quote]

You can pick the Kona bells up at The Path in Tustin, or go to your local feed store. They should have cow bells in stock there.

[Pho'dUp]

Hot Days,

Keeping a Water bottle filled with Ice Water is a must. You can dose your helmet or down your shirt back and it's like instant A/C.

In addition to Ice in the Camelback, wearing lighter colored shirts or jerseys made of coolmax or another fabric designed to speed up sweat evaporation really helps keep your skin cool.

Pack plenty of water and keep drinking even if you don't feel thirsty.

Ride Early and ride with somone tall. Last summer I made the mistake of climbing the 3 Hills at Santiago Oaks about 12:30pm. At the top of Robber's Peak I felt faint and nauseated. My tall buddy was willing to stand in sun to give me some shade to cool off in.