Warm Weather Riding
Autumn may be setting in for much of the rest of the country, but here in Florida, we’ve got warm weather all year round. Riding your motorcycle or scooter in warm, sunny weather is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. However, when you’re riding in hot weather, you’ll want to be smart about it to avoid becoming dehydrated or exhausted, which can put you at risk of getting in an accident. Your local motorcycle dealer is Interstate Cycles, located in Lake City, Florida. We’ve created this guide to warm weather riding to help you stay safe and enjoy your ride, no matter how hot it is outside.
Dress For The Heat
While it might seem logical to dress in shorts and a T-shirt when it’s hot, this isn’t good riding gear for a scooter or motorcycle. You want to wear the same protective gear that covers your skin even when it’s hot outside because you’ll be less likely to suffer from road rash if you slide out. Also, wearing a protective layer of clothing can actually keep you cooler because it wards off the heat of the sun from your bare skin, which also keeps you from getting sunburnt.
Breathable riding suits and jackets are available that will keep you cool as you ride while still sufficiently protecting you. Wearing lighter colors instead of black will also help to reflect sunlight. You’ll still want to wear your helmet, riding boots, and gloves as you ride to keep yourself fully protected, and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin at your wrists or the back of your neck. If you want to feel a pleasant cooling sensation, you can tie a wet kerchief around your neck. The evaporating water will keep you cool as you ride.
Stay Hydrated & Take Breaks
Another important warm weather riding tip is to not overexert yourself. This means no riding for hours without a break. Take more frequent breaks than you would in cooler weather, preferably indoors or under cover of shade. This gives you and your bike get a chance to cool down, since the engine of your bike can also overheat in hot weather.
You can make your breaks fun by stopping at tourist attractions or checking out cool local shops or restaurants. If you’re outside of the city, then choose to take your break at a beautiful vista, where you can snap some photographs and wander around nature.
As you rest, make sure you’re staying hydrated. Carry a few bottles of water with you and sip from them at every break. If you want to drink water as you ride, you can invest in a portable hydration system that you wear like a backpack. You’ll also want to have some snacks on hand to prevent hunger from clouding your judgement and slowing your reflexes. Sports drinks can supplement your water supply to help you replenish valuable electrolytes that you lose as you sweat.
Ride During Cooler Hours
Riding during the hottest part of the day will tire you out very quickly and increase your chances of suffering from heat exhaustion. Try to schedule your ride during the early morning hours before the sun is at its highest point, or later in the afternoon or evening when the sun is lower on the horizon. Avoid riding during the hours around noon because that’s when temperatures will be at their highest.
Still in search of the perfect bike for your warm weather rides? Visit our Lake City dealership to see our wide selection of new and used motorcycles and scooters for sale. Interstate Cycles proudly serves our customers in the cities of Gainesville, Tallahassee, and Alachua, Florida.