With sunnier, longer days, comes plenty of time to get out on the saddle. Although, whilst saying goodbye to icy roads and chilly climbs is a definite bonus, riding in the heat comes with its own set of challenges. To keep your performance up and dehydration down, take a look at our top picks for beating the heat when out on the bike below.
STAY HYDRATED
Cycling in the heat can quickly cause dehydration if you’re not having regular drink stops, regardless of whether you’re out on the road or on a trail. Plus, a lack of fluids can also impact your performance, so keeping hydrated is key to smashing your ride.
Camelbak’s insulated ice bottle is your perfect companion in the hot weather, keeping your water cold 5 x longer than a standard water bottle. It’s also BPA, BPF and BPS free – so no nasty plastic aftertaste.
Fitting neatly into a variety of bottle cages and leak-proof, it’s our top pick for keeping your thirst quenched and you hydrated.
Alternatively, if you’re a mountain biker who favours shorter rides, keep the weight off with the Camelbak belt hydration pack.
The bottle can easily be secured and accessed, with a Mud Cap to keep dirt and dust out. It even has integrated tool organisation, keeping everything simply stored in one location. As an added extra, it’s also made from a breathable air mesh for cool hydration.
So, if your rides require more than just a bottle, this is the solution for you.
BE PROTECTED
Alongside shielding your skin from UV rays with plenty of SPF, keeping your head protected is a huge must. However, airflow can often be overlooked, and in the summer months, the last thing you want is a hot head slowing you down.
Specialized and HJC are renowned for their top-quality helmets, both boasting exceptional venting-oriented designs.
The HJC Atara is known for its comfort and is crucially protective, whilst its sleek design has created top tier aerodynamics and ventilation, maximising performance potential.
Or, if you’re looking for a trail helmet that pushes you to the top of a climb and protects you on the way down, the Specialized Tactic III has a 4th dimension cooling system, keeping your head cool throughout your ride. It also has extended rear coverage, giving you that extra protection in various mountain terrain.
DONT LET THE LITTLE THINGS AFFECT YOUR RIDE
When you’re anticipating a sunny cycle, your first thoughts are probably water and keeping your body cool. However, clammy and sweaty hands can also make for a pretty uncomfortable ride! To make sure nothing affects your performance, try these pro-level gloves by Castelli and Troy Lee, fully breathable and offering a secure fit thanks to their stretchy mesh fabrics.
CHILL OUT POST-RIDE
After a long day cycling in the heat, who doesn’t love popping to your favourite café or bar for an ice-cold beverage? These vintage style Castelli tee and Alpinestars shirts are the perfect thing to adorn, telling anyone and everyone, you just love cycling!
Fancy browsing our full collection of technical t-shirts ready for the summer? Click here to take a closer look.
