In the warmer weather, the thought of wearing heavy boots, gloves and leathers or lined jackets and thick lined trousers on a bike can sometimes feel like a pain.
However, on hot summer days there is usually increased traffic so the risk of collision is just the same as during the rainy days. You may feel cool riding your bike in your weightlifting vest, shorts and pumps, but gravel rash is not cool and scars even less cool.
Tips for wearing proper riding attire and keeping cool:
- Wear Motocross gloves – these tend to be thinner than regular gloves but over good protection. MX glovers are more functional than offering warmth so they are not made to keep your hands warm & usually thinner & with webbing so your hands can move easier rather than thick leather & thermal lining. When buying gloves always ask yourself if you feel safe running your hands down a brick wall without gloves or wearing the gloves you are trying… if the answer is no, look for another pair of gloves.
- Unzip your pockets – maybe not the most obvious solution, but pockets that are empty and unzipped can create good airflow. Also if you unzip the sleeves slightly this may also help airflow.
- Keep your leathers ON – this may seem strange, but not taking your leathers off when you park or go into a shop can help keep you cool. Put your leathers on when you are cool and they will warm to your natural body temperature. Removing the coat may make your body warm up in the sun, then putting leathers on again will trap the warm temperatures of your body.
- Use the vents – many modern helmets and visors are designed with vents. Usually the first notch on opening your visor is the vent setting and of course the sliders on the top and sides of your helmet are ventilation holes.
- Try to keep cool by riding faster – not by breaking the speed limit, but considering alternative roads where you are less likely to sit in heavy traffic for longer periods. If your bike is moving, it helps keep you cool and prevents how the bike can overheat on a warm day and affect the performance of your bike. Maybe go to work an hour earlier to avoid the traffic.
