Summers can be harsh, here in Tucson. I know more than a few riders who see 2 riding seasons here. One is from March to May and the other is from September to mid-November. They see it as too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. A friend of mine from Missouri said this about riding through Arizona one summer: “It’s like riding in a blast furnace.” Put our low humidity along with the force of the wind on you when you are riding 50-60mph and he is about right.

So, if you are going to ride in the summer, please ride prepared:

• Keep yourself hydrated. Don’t just add an extra glass or two as you leave the house. Drink something at every stop. When you get home, rehydrate. How do you know when you’ve had enough? Your urine should be a pale yellow, not dark yellow or orange. ( Sorry, that’s my nurse showing.)
• Dress appropriately. If you wear armor, get mesh or something that breathes well for summer use.
• Keep your cool. If you were at this year’s rally, one of the items in your rally bag was a “cool tie.” If you are out in the heat for long periods, this thing can literally save your life. Hydrate it and wear it as you ride. The other thing you can do is to periodically, pour some water down your neck, enough to go into your shirt. As the water evaporates, it will cool you.
• Timing. When possible, do your riding early in the morning, or in the evening after it begins to cool off a bit.
• Prepare. If you are riding out of town, make sure you have extra water on board. Some folks like to wear “camel-backs.” What ever it takes, but have some water with you.
• Protect. Carry some sunscreen with you, especially if you are riding out of town or if you will be at an event for a couple of hour. Nothing says “ouch!” quite like pulling a riding jacket on over a sunburn.
• Maintain. Make sure everything on your scooter is in good running order. Tires, brakes, cooling system (if you have one) all need regular maintenance.
• Routes. You might want to change your usual riding route and take advantage of residential streets that have some shade from trees.

Riding in the heat of summer can certainly be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to keep you off the road. Being stopped in traffic can be particularly hot, especially if you get caught be behind a bus.

Be careful, but enjoy the ride. Even if it’s hot, it’s still better than being trapped in a “cage.”

Howard