Summer Cycling Tips- Dress up or down when the sun is high?

Velocrush India
3 min readMay 28, 2016

The sun can play a spoilsport for most of us living in this country. While many of us don’t know the perils of soaking ourselves in the heat that the Summer cycling offers, what we also don’t pay heed to is the fact that a lot can be done to avoid the sun. Some sun is necessary for Vitamin D and with most of us chilling away in our office ACs, it becomes essential to come under the morning rays.

cycling in hot weather

The occasion demands one to prepare well to fight against the hot breeze, mild heat waves and the dust which can not only drain you but also cause heat exhaustion, stroke or even more. While the mercury rises, getting around the city seems scorching and on the highways even seems blistering to deal.

Here are some basic essentials Summer Cycling Tips that you might want to consider before invading out in the cloudless sky.

Sunscreen:

Before putting on a pair of your favourite lycra, consider coating your body with a thick film of sunscreen as your primary protection. Sunscreen with higher SPF should be considered as 70 to 80 per cent of it is wiped away by sweat.

To know more about sunscreen and sunburns kindly click here.

Cycling shorts and Jersey:

It’s always the best idea to wear padded bib shorts rather than cycling shorts. Bib shorts give you an extra edge by keeping the chamois exactly in place. This lessens the chances of chafing, blisters, and abrasions which are always on the corner as the heat acts as a catalyst. Using appropriate bib shorts can be useful to keep away these glitches while summer cycling.

Here are a few tips that will help with different ways you can stay hydrated this summer.

Moving on to the torso, you can always wear a full sleeve jersey or couple a normal jersey with arm and leg warmers. You might want to consider white or any other bright color considering the sun will burn harder through darker colors. These Summer Cycling Tips will make a big difference if you are planning on doing a long ride.

Gilet:

Gilets are ultra-lightweight sleeveless jackets that can be carried along to protect you from the wind and harsh weather conditions. Gilets that act as a windbreaker can be worn at any time of the year on its own or along with long or short sleeve jerseys.

If you’re wondering which one is the right one to invest in, look for ones which are made of thin and lightweight water repellent material. Also, go for those which have zips and if you’re a night prowler, do be on the lookout for reflective vests.

Gloves:

Gloves not only offer a little wipe over your face every now and then but also help you keep your hands steady on the handle bar. Leather gloves can be a good option for summer cycling as your hands are likely to sweat more. Also, gloves protect your hand in times of a fall. This makes it a must to our list of Summer Cycling Tips.

Sunglasses:

You must have noticed that it’s really hard to keep your eyes open on the road that reflects the sun, and you may also need a tissue or two to wipe that bloody sweat off your eye brow. It’s important to invest in a good pair of sunglasses as they help keep the debris and sun away. Thus, making summer cycling blissful. Also, make sure you invest in a pair that offers UV protection and covers your eyes completely while summer cycling.

To make the most of the summer cycling, ensure to refuel regularly and keep yourself hydrated.

So if you do have any Summer Cycling Tips for what to wear to beat the heat, comment below and do let us know.

Editor: Anubhuti Matta

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