3 unpopular tips to face the hot weather on your bike!
If on the one hand we have all wished for the arrival of the warm season with our heart, now we have to prepare ourselves for how to deal with the heat.
For cycling enthusiasts and, in general, for those who are now approaching this activity, the idea of pedaling under the sun of July can turn off the desire to bike.
Don’t worry; with a few fundamental precautions you can continue to explore the world on the saddle even in summer.
We have collected 3 unpopular tips that you may have never thought of.
- Wear gloves
- Don’t forget the lips!
- Plan some breaks to cool down your body
1. Wear gloves
Yes I know.Your’re in the middle of June, you’re riding your favorite bike and it’s almost lunchtime. The last thing you would do is stopping, opening your bike bag and taking out your gloves.
Are you telling me that… with 86° F and a stone-breaking sun I should get dressed up even more?!
It may seem counterintuitive, but the first protective screen against annoying (and dangerous) burns are our clothes.
When the hottest season of the year arrives, we think about protecting more or less the same areas of the body, and we hardly think about our hands.
Yet, during a sunny summer day, bikers’ hands represent one of the parts which are most exposed to the danger of sun rays.
By being an area often forgotten when it comes to sunburn and irritation, the hands are a frequent subject of sunburn.
Cycling gloves for the summer season are easily found on the market.
Along with your hands, also protect your neck, arms and chest by applying a sunscreen against UVA and UVB rays.
P.S. If you are the type who can’t wait to dive into the water as soon as the heat arrives, there is a path on Lake Trasimeno that allows you to do it between one ride and another.
Click here! www.umbriabike.eu/en/tour/sorroundings-lake-Trasimeno-by-bike/
2. Don’t forget the lips!
Many sportsmen are reluctant to use sunscreen, because with the sweat and dust accumulated in the long and fun summer days outdoors, it could cause that classic unpleasant stickiness.
Still, sunscreen is essential, and is now recommended by all dermatologists.
An often forgotten area when it comes to sun protection is the lip area.
Using sunscreen on your lips is one of the best ways to protect them from the sun’s rays.
But if you’re scared thinking about how annoying your cream spread on your face can be, don’t worry, there is a solution; Instead of applying your regular sunscreen on your face, try a hydrating lip balm that also includes SPF protection.
And no, don’t worry, it won’t cost you a fortune.
Last gem; try to reapply it every two hours, to maintain protection during the hottest hours.
3. Plan some breaks to cool down your body
Let’s say it, it’s nothing new if I told you that, in order not to suffer from the heat on a bicycle, it would be enough to drink a glass of cold water or eat an ice lolly.
But, if this is taken for granted, perhaps it is not to plan your bike ride in advance by identifying refreshment points along the way that can provide you with the fresh air you need.
Because during your ride you will definitely need it!
Our advice therefore, is not just to look for a shady place under the branches of a tree on the shore of a lake, but to get yourself something that cools you from the inside: fresh water, an ice lolly, an ice cream, even better than fresh fruit.
This will help lower your core temperature.
To do this, we advise against journeys at your limit during the most painful hours (11.00 – 15.00) and journeys that lack refreshments along the way.
Think well where to set your ride, because without this seemingly trivial trick, your day could turn out to be a stressful experience to forget.
By the way, I know a route that meets this exact need. Click here:
www.umbriabike.eu/en/tour-item/immersed-into-the-greenery-of-umbria/
These are just 3 of the useful tips that you can spend during the sultry summer days. However, remember that there are many more tricks and, if you find yourself in difficulty, the secret is to ask more experienced bikers who can offer you their valuable advice.
If, on the other hand, you want advice on where to go cycling this summer, don’t hesitate to send us an email to this address; segreteria@umbriabike.eu, we will suggest the most suitable itinerary for you.
Finally, don’t forget to share this article with the most ditzy bike adventure buddy, it could be useful for him/her! 😊
