I have not been able to Ryde since Friday because of the heat. Two things go into my decision to leave my Spyder at home:
1. I have MS and heat can cause an exaserbation and the last thing I want is to go blind or loss the use of my hands and legs while operating any vehicle.
2. Dehydration. I always have a drink in my hand, from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep, I am drinking (mostly Diet Pepsi helps to fight MS Fatigue). When I am on the Spyder I can't drink, which is fine on normal days but 100 degree weather, sweating and not drinking I think is a bad idea.
My husband is actually home from work today because of dehydration because he rode yesterday and did not hydrate properly.
I ordered a TechNiche Standard Evaporative Cooling Vest (as seen in MCN & Cycle World) and I waiting for dellivery. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to keep my core body temperature low while ryding on hot days? I have an appointment tomorrow after work to get the Gearbox Sensor repaired so I have to ryde tomorrow.
Any advice would be appreciated.
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2008 Premier Spyder GS #1927, purple LED lights on license plate, handle bar risers.
I don't know how you have to dress to go to work, but:
A bandana that has been moistened a bit and tucked around the neck has marvelous evaporative cooling abilities...
How long is the ride to work?
Tank up on liquids right before you hit the road
Wear light-colored clothing
Perhaps a Camelback hydration system? They've got a couple that allow you to carry 100 ounces of fluid with you!
I'm a Diet Pepsi drinker too, but some of the stuff that they put in it makes it less than ideal for hydration. I sort of prefer Gatorade (or an equivalent) to put back the stuff that I sweat out...
Good Luck!
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2010 Blue RT Audio & Convenience model Se-5 transmision. Dealer-added foglights, accent LEDs and extra speakers. Some RTS chrome windshield, front spoiler and top trunk trim, RTS frunklight and frunk liner, Top Trunk liner, Chrome lower air deflector, fendertip LED bulbs and ISCI floorboards added by yours truly...
I am the head IT Geek, so basically I wear jeans and whatever shirt I throw on.
I have a buff like a bandana that I soak before I ride, which works great in the 80's but dries quickly when the temperature goes above 90.
My ride to work is about 30 minutes depending on traffic. I try to tank up before hitting the road, not so easy as I am trying to get the 7 year old out the door to camp.
I of course wear full gear, mesh jacket with pads, summer leather gloves, riding boots. My jacket is white. My husband has a camelback from his time in Afghanistan and the buff was his idea too, I assume staying cool in the sandbox is important. I guess I can borrow his, he is not using it.
I drink Diet Pepsi and Grape Propel (the vitamins and minerals it puts back help with spasms).
So I am doing everything I can until I get the cooling vest?
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2008 Premier Spyder GS #1927, purple LED lights on license plate, handle bar risers.
Don't put anything but water in your Camelback. Anything else makes a sticky mess prone to microbe growth.
I've not had the opportunity to ride my Spyder in the Vegas summer yet. Got my '10 RTS the end of last October and traded my Vegas summer for a Spyderless summer in the Middle East. Average high here in July and August is 106. I'm told 110 on skims the bottom range of unbearable here. Oh joy.
Please do give us a review of the Techniche vest once you get it. I've been thinking about purchasing such an item.
Oh yes, I will post a topic about the vest once I receive it and try it out. If the cooling vest works well, then I will order a heating vest from the same company so I can ride longer.
My husband said that the people in the Sandbox know how to control their temperature and not overheat, he said he learned a lot from watching them and mimicking what they do. Just a suggestion. Stay safe.
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2008 Premier Spyder GS #1927, purple LED lights on license plate, handle bar risers.
I'm kind of interested in those vests also! I never knew that they existed, so this is all knew to me... (I'm OLD SCHOOL... Sweat like a pig over a grille and tough it out!)
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2010 Blue RT Audio & Convenience model Se-5 transmision. Dealer-added foglights, accent LEDs and extra speakers. Some RTS chrome windshield, front spoiler and top trunk trim, RTS frunklight and frunk liner, Top Trunk liner, Chrome lower air deflector, fendertip LED bulbs and ISCI floorboards added by yours truly...
I'm kind of interested in those vests also! I never knew that they existed, so this is all knew to me... (I'm OLD SCHOOL... Sweat like a pig over a grille and tough it out!)
When you have a illness that requires a low core body temperature, you learn about silly little things. You would look for it, if you didn't need it. I promise full review as soon as I get it.
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2008 Premier Spyder GS #1927, purple LED lights on license plate, handle bar risers.
Ryding in the Heat
Linear Mode
