HOW TO STAY COOL IN THE HEAT WHILE CYCLING:

All of the basic “keeping cool in the heat articles” ignore the first rule of avoiding the heat, cool the body. Makes sense right? But most people ignore the fact that you can cool the body during your outdoor activity, if you use the right active wear. Riders will lose sleep and wake up at 4 AM to avoid the heat. They need to start by cooling their body. When you cool your body and follow the below steps, you will have an added benefit of more concentration and desire to push while cycling in the heat.

So, let’s have a top ten list for staying cool in the heat.

1. Cool your body with something like the Kul Lite vest (www.timountain.com). This is the best way to reduce the affects of heat.

2. Drink plenty of water and electrolyte-enriched fluids during the week, before cycling as well as throughout the exercise, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

3. Use an insulated water bottle. Cooler water is better.

4. Wear vented or breathable moisture wicking cycling clothing. Most of you already do, but in case you forgot that cotton doesn’t cut it any more.

5. Wear something to keep sweat out of your eyes, like the Sweat GUTR (www.SweatGUTR.com). Sweat in the eye stings.

6. Sunscreen should be worn on all exposed skin, this is the easiest one. Make sure it is sweat/waterproof, you are exercising, right?

7. Use sunglasses. Not only will you look cool, your eyes will not be permanently damaged. You also want to know when the bike in front of you hits the breaks.

8. Wear vented gloves. You don’t want your sweaty hands to slip off the bars do you?

9. Wear reflective/brightly colored riding gear if you want to wake up a 4 AM or go out at 9 PM to ride. Remember, cars can have limited visibility at dawn and dusk.

10. Sleep. Your body needs to recover from your training and the heat.

So, cool your body, hydrate with cool fluids, wick that moisture, gutr that sweat, sunscreen, sunglasses, vented gloves, bright colors in the dark, and don’t forget to recover with sleep. Most of all, enjoy the summer!