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Riding in the Heat

Stay cool and hydrated on hot rides.

Riding in the heat - Cyclist standing on bike trail Hero image

The sun is out and it’s time to put in some big miles on the bike. Here are some tips and tricks to stay safe and comfortable when riding in the summer.

Hydration:

Gravel cyclist reaching to his packpack while riding

Staying adequately hydrated is essential in the heat. On the hottest rides, you may need to drink as much as 32oz an hour. When you drink large amounts of water, it is important to keep the minerals in your bloodstream balanced. Having a little bit of electrolyte mix along with your water helps with everything from muscle cramps to brain function.

We are big fans of Scratch and Tailwind hydration mixes for great tasting flavors that are easy to digest.

Pro tip: Fill an insulated water bottle halfway and put it in the freezer. In hot weather, you’ll have a perfectly chilled bottle to drink from after around an hour of riding.

Sun Protection:

Bikepacker riding on the side of the road

Obviously, sunscreen is super important. Make sure it’s water-resistant and choose a high SPF rating such as 50+. When sunscreen alone is not enough, sun blocking arm and leg sleeves are a great way to stop the sun’s harmful rays.

Start Off Easy:

Heat-related illness is a serious concern for cyclists and can still occur even with the right hydration and sun protection. To stave off heatstroke, it is best to ease into hot weather riding. Start out with short and easy rides and, once you begin to acclimate, gradually increase the length and intensity. After a couple weeks of hot weather riding, your body will learn to cope with the additional heat-related stress.

Staying Cool:

Close-up view of bike water bottles

Taking steps to cool down on a hot ride can make a huge difference. Simply planning a route with more shade can be helpful. If there are lakes or streams along the way, a quick dip in the water will provide a much-needed temperature reset. For the hottest of rides, frozen water bottles and stockings filled with ice help can take the edge off. On any warm ride, an insulated water bottle will help to keep your drinks cool.

Looking to try something out of the box for those really hot rides? Check out this cooling vest from VeloToze.

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Shop for Tips - Riding In The Heat Promotional at Performance Bicycle

Hot Weather Essentials:

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Pearl iZUMi Sun Arm Sleeves (White)

2 Reviews Average Rating:5

$26.25 - $35.00

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Pearl iZUMi Sun Arm Sleeves (White)

Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix (Lemon Lime)

Not yet reviewed

$21.95 - $54.95

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Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix (Lemon Lime)

Pearl iZUMi Attack Air Bib Shorts (Black)

Not yet reviewed

$160.00

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Pearl iZUMi Attack Air Bib Shorts (Black)

Pearl iZUMi Sun Knee Sleeves (White)

Not yet reviewed

$20.70 - $45.00

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Pearl iZUMi Sun Knee Sleeves (White)

Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel (Colorado Cola)

Not yet reviewed

$2.25 - $39.99

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Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel (Colorado Cola)

Louis Garneau Arm Coolers (White)

Not yet reviewed

~~$39.99~~
Sale: $27.99

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Louis Garneau Arm Coolers (White)

Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix (Raspberry Limeade) (20 Serving Pouch)

1 review Average Rating:3

$21.95

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Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix (Raspberry Limeade) (20 Serving Pouch)

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Specialized Purist Insulated Chromatek Watergate Water Bottle (Blue/Pink Fade) (23oz)

Not yet reviewed

$19.99

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Specialized Purist Insulated Chromatek Watergate Water Bottle (Blue/Pink Fade) (23oz)

Available in Stores

Pearl iZUMi Transfer Lite Headband (White)

1 review Average Rating:5

$15.00

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Pearl iZUMi Transfer Lite Headband (White)

Pearl iZUMi Transfer Lite Headband (Black)

1 review Average Rating:5

$15.00

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Pearl iZUMi Transfer Lite Headband (Black)

Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel (Mandarin Orange)

Not yet reviewed

$1.89 - $39.99

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Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel (Mandarin Orange)

Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves (White)

1 review Average Rating:5

~~$39.99~~
Sale: $27.99

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Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves (White)

Specialized Purist Insulated Chromatek Watergate Water Bottle (Camo Translucent) (23oz)

Not yet reviewed

$19.99

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Specialized Purist Insulated Chromatek Watergate Water Bottle (Camo Translucent) (23oz)

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Specialized Purist Insulated Chromatek Watergate Water Bottle (Revel) (23oz)

Not yet reviewed

~~$19.99~~
Sale: $12.75

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Specialized Purist Insulated Chromatek Watergate Water Bottle (Revel) (23oz)

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Camelbak Podium Ice Insulated Water Bottle (Black) (21oz)

Not yet reviewed

$30.00

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Camelbak Podium Ice Insulated Water Bottle (Black) (21oz)

Assos Equipe RSR Superleger S9 Jersey (Holy White)

Not yet reviewed

$112.00 - $160.00

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Assos Equipe RSR Superleger S9 Jersey (Holy White)

Endura Pro SL Race Short Sleeve Jersey (Pomegranate) (M)

Not yet reviewed

$139.99

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Endura Pro SL Race Short Sleeve Jersey (Pomegranate) (M)

Specialized Seamless UV Arm Sleeves (White)

Not yet reviewed

$44.99

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Specialized Seamless UV Arm Sleeves (White)

VeloToze Cooling Vest w/ Cooling Packs (White)

Not yet reviewed

$90.00

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VeloToze Cooling Vest w/ Cooling Packs (White)

Specialized Purist Insulated Chromatek Watergate Water Bottle (Grind) (23oz)

Not yet reviewed

$14.99

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Specialized Purist Insulated Chromatek Watergate Water Bottle (Grind) (23oz)

Available in Stores

Halo Headband II Pullover Headband (White)

Not yet reviewed

$16.95

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Halo Headband II Pullover Headband (White)

GU Roctane Energy Drink Mix (Summit Tea w/Caffeine)

Roctane Energy Drink Mix is an all-in-one solution ...

to energy and hydration with key nutrients like electrolytes and branched-chain amino acids to keep you feeling strong and energized. The precise blend of complex and simple carbohydrates will fuel you up, ...

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Nuun Vitamin Hydration Tablets (Tangerine Lime) (8 Tubes)

Nuun Vitamin Hydration Tablets provide users with a ...

helpful blend of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes for healthy on-the-go hydration. Simply drop a tab in a 16oz glass of water, wait for the tab to dissolve, and enjoy your refreshing and replenishing ...

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Performance Bicycle x Specialized Purist Insulated Water Bottle

At Performance Bicycle, we live life on two ...

wheels. Whether it's an epic road ride or a Downieville run, we're in. We're die-hard roadies, fearless DH riders, everyday commuters, and a bunch of cycling enthusiasts who do a little bit ...

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Nuun Energy Hydration Tabs (Ginger Lime Zing) (8

Nuun Energy provides users with a hydrating burst ...

of energy without the unwanted crash afterwards. With 80mg of caffeine, 20mg of Panax Ginseng, and a blend of vitamins B12 & B6 per serving, users will find these energy tablets provide ...

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Nuun Sport Hydration Tablets (Citrus Fruit) (8 Tubes)

Nuun Sport Hydration Tablets provide users with a ...

tasty and hydrating blend of electrolytes for exercise or busy days where you're constantly on-the-go. Simply drop a tab in a 16oz glass of water, wait for the tab to dissolve, and ...

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