Summer Cycling Tips

​The Summer Solstice occurs on June 21st (11:54am), bringing the first days of summer and the southern sun’s legendary heating of the south. Take a break to ride and enjoy these hot weather cycling tips:

• Plan – choose routes with more shade and places to stop for a break, and always let someone know where you’re going.
• Timing – avoid riding during the hottest times of the day, usually between 10am – 4pm.
• Sunscreen – often underappreciated the benefits are well known. But forgetting to apply before a ride will give you a burn worth remembering. 
• Clothing – choose light and breathable clothing that will keep you cool and offer skin protection and don’t forget sunglasses.
• Hydrate – drink fluids before, during, and after your ride. Bring plenty of fluids with you, even on short rides.
• Electrolytes – In addition to water, replace electrolytes on rides longer than one hour.
• Pace – overexertion happens easier on a hot day, your body is spending more energy keeping itself cool. 
• Recovery – plan on longer recovery periods during the summer months. Your body will take time to acclimate to the increased temperatures.