staying cool in the heat

[melnorton]

OK expert women,
What is the best way to stay cooler when riding in 90-95 degree heat? I like to gear up, but sometimes it gets tough..... any suggestions from other southerners?

Melanie

[womanridge]

I use a few different items.
First is a cooling scarf. I soak it in water so the filler expands. They are sold everywhere.
I also have LD Comfort sleeves. Again, soak them first.
The biggest expense I have for staying cool is the Veskimo vest.
http://www.veskimo.com/
It really works well.
Now if someone can invent a cooling helmet! That I would buy.

[Elgin Mary]

I bought an inexpensive vest that you also soak to keep you cool. I found it on a web site that sells reflective vests for road workers. I wear that under my Joe Rocket mesh jacket. I've been thinking about buying mesh pants also. Unfortunately, I don't know of any way to make the helmet cooler.

Mary
2007 R1200RT

[SHERRING125174]

Having experimented with what type of cloth stays wet longest, I sewed 2 pieces of micro-fibre cloth together and cut a hole in the middle big enough to go over my head (it doesn't fray). Wet it at a gas stop and pull it on. Drapes over front and back of body and keeps wet pretty long. Easy to store in a plastic bag under cargo net or anywhere and thin enough to not bulk you up. Also handy to have a microcloth for other purposes. I found the wet vests to be dribbly (hard to wring out) and feel slimy and did finally drip into pants for a diaper rash feel!

[SHERRING125174]

Oh yeah....close vents on a non mesh jacket and pants. Non mesh jacket is preferable to limit evaporation. Seems counter-intuitive but the high temp, dry heat coming through the mesh dries ya out and anything under the jacket too fast. Trap that cooling moisture is the idea! I suppose one could rig up something around the thighs for pants.

[womanridge]

Oh yeah....close vents on a non mesh jacket and pants. Non mesh jacket is preferable to limit evaporation. Seems counter-intuitive but the high temp, dry heat coming through the mesh dries ya out and anything under the jacket too fast. Trap that cooling moisture is the idea! I suppose one could rig up something around the thighs for pants.

+1 what Sue said.

[Ken F]

LD Comfort.

They make a Helmet liner you can soak down and will stay cool for about an hour to an hour and a half. Same with their long sleeved undershirt. Dump a bottle of water down your neck and you are good for about another hour or more.

Good stuff.

Ken

[ragtoplvr]

when really hot, fill front pockets of jacket with ICE.

Bit brisk when you start out, but when you hit the furnace over the black asphalt, NICE!!!

Lasts about a hour.

Rod

[WI Sharon]

So where is this warm weather? I'm freezing my parts today at the balmy 65 degrees.

[kthflieger]

I tried the obvious - I keep my helmet in the freezer in the garage - works really well for those short rides in town...like putting an air conditioner on your head.

[Voni]

For me what works best is to start the ride at dawn, and stop early and duck into air conditioning.

I've always dreamed of a nice air conditioned movie about 2 to 6 PM!

Voni
sMiling

[Voni]

For a most technical discussion, go here:

http://www.ironbutt.com/ibmagazine/I..._62-66_Hot.pdf

Voni
sMiling

[bmwgsrider]

I use a cooling vest:

http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com/

I have noticed a difference on how it helps keep the body heat down. I do get bad migraines from the heat and a cooling vest has helped.

I also have a camelbak and having a cold pack on your back helps too...keep ice in it.

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids... that is a big plus as I am known to also not drink as much as I should and I think I do.

[bmwgsrider]

So where is this warm weather? I'm freezing my parts today at the balmy 65 degrees.

I've been having over 100 degree temps with bad winds.

[cyclynnut]

Hey Mel, Just got on here. You don't need help staying cool. You already are the coolest woman I know. I got very hot going out West-the first trip. I like to wet my shirt and sometimes my pants. I have started wearing the technical fabrics and that helps. Making trips to town with all the lights and traffic really is the hottest for me.I just suffer or plan my route with the lest stops. You got a lot of good suggestions here.