Summer: survive the challenge of commuting in heat
The glorious and beautiful days of summer with their high heat and humidity bring some additional challenges to the daily commuter on a bicycle. Let's face it: nobody loves to reach their work place completely wasted in sweat! Do you? Do I? Not at all.
Winter clothing on a Lombardo Commuter Bicycle
With a little thought and good planning any commute can be comfortable and enjoyable, even during the hottest days of the year.
An example of comfortable, well aired and light clothes for a comfy bike ride in summer
Few rules to follow in order to make sure you will arrive fresh, happy and relaxed, ready to provide your best shot at what you do. So, let's look in details how we can ensure the above happens at the end of our commute:
• Slip Slop Slap SPF Are you one of those guru who thinks you cannot earn a sunburn at 8-9:00am in the morning? Think again. The summer sun can be surprisingly strong even in the early hours of the day. Aside from wearing well aired clothing preferably in cotton, the latest recommendation is everyone should use sunscreen, even if you feel you don't burn.
• Drink If you sweat heavily you will need to replace the fluids you’ve lost, even if you don’t sweat, still it is important to stay hydrated in the heat. Carry at least one liter of water or other non caffeinated drinks to keep yourself well hydrated.
• Carefully select your wardrobe If you are used to ride in your work clothes, on the hottest days you may want to re-consider what you wear along the trip. Cycling clothes don't need to be spandex or sophisticated, but they should fit you well, being cool, light, well aired and preferably in cotton, a fiber known for being gentle on the skin.
• Plan your post-ride tune up In cool weather you may be perfectly presentable when you arrive at your work place. However in summer when temperatures soar most bicycle commuters can benefit with a quick cool wash up or a shower. If don't have shower or changing rooms facilities at work then body-wipes can be phenomenal tools to get you cleaned and fresh.
• Watch out for glare Light reflecting off buildings, cars and even the road surface can make it hard for you to see properly. A good pair of polarized sunglasses can be very useful and make a huge difference. Complete eye-covering glasses also known as wraparound styles can offer the added benefit of keeping dust and grit out of your eyes.
• Go strapless. On a hot summer day any strap you sling across your body (e.g., iPhone, backpack, hydration pack) can mark you with a nice and inconvenient “sweat stripes”. To avoid these set your bike with pannier bags, a basket or a bungee cords and let your bike carry the load for you.
• Do not go too fast, instead slow down Trying leaving your home a little earlier and to pedal a little slower, in doing so you shall arrive at work looking a lot fresher, unless you try repeatedly landing the world best timing along your journey!
Last but not least, choose a bicycle that is a sweat comfortable ride with minimized weight, select one of the top bike at http:italianbicycles.com.au
