HOT WEATHER RIDING

[XRV_AndyM]

It's holiday time and my chunnel leaves Folkestone on August 3rd and heading off to the Costa Brava on my @ once again. New Tyres and all that stuff sorted. My question is about HoT WeAtHeR Riding!!! What clothes should I be wearing on these trips? I need protection, won't ride in shorts but how do I keep cool without compromising safety?

I have ordered a pair of Draggin Jeans cause last year I was baked in my usual textile trousers. Anybody got a pair? Are they any good or would you recommend something else? What about footwear? I was thinking about strong Hiking boots from the camping shop. Basically I want to be able to stop the bike, lock it and walk away without wearing my super heavy bike gear, but still have protection it I fall off, while not looking completely mad for wearing heavy clothes in 30?Heat.

Any tips?

[Simmo]

Tricky one! I bought the Tuareg jacket and trousers from Heine Gerrich that has vents and a removable gortex liner - did me fine for a trip down to Le Mans. I reckon a good pair of hiking boots will do you fine too. ALWAYS wear protective gear - that one time you choose not too.....

[Chad]

i think some of the companys are doing a smaller style boot now ,hien gericke etc you can also get a light weight jacket with vent from them .

the draggin jeans are fine. its better to be a bit hot than have no skin :shock:

most places do decent lightweight summer gear now :D

let us know what you get :D wisdom passed on is sage indeed 8) 8) 8) 8)

[cbcommuter]

if you wear a balaclava run it under a cold tap squeeze it out then ride away with a cool head,i do it on my 25m commute home every night hope that helps
cheers darren

[Slimie]

Boxers, flip-flops and a helmet. Really, that's all you need :wink:

Seriously, I'm ATGATT, whatever the weather - I prefer skin over a bit of sweat!!

Wear what you need to be safe, IMHO!!

-Simon

[BlindPugh]

Gericke Tuareg jacket and trousers with lining out and all air vent zips opened. Plenty of fluids in this weather - stop every hour and drink water or if you have a flip up lid drink on the move. Never been a fan of the Dainese flip-flop, vest and shorts protective gear. Fallen off on sand wearing this outfit and it taught me a useful lesson - it really does hurt and skin wears through REALLY quick even on soft sand.

[londonbubble]

I have a pair of Altberg boots look like normal boots but have added protection specificaly for motorbiking. Problrm is they are made to order and take about six weeks. have a look at website http://altberg.co.uk.

Great thing about them once the soles are worn out, they will refurbish them for a fee. So you haven,t got to brake a new pair of boots in. They last for ages

[barftone]

Light jacket with vents and armour and a camelback holder is useful. (I have a Belstaff enduro thing with a zip out waterproof liner). Motocross jeans keep yer goolies cool when riding along and are lighter than most. I use proper knee pads underneath (acerbis). As for boots. I use motocross but they are not great for walking in. How about Goretex para boots? Look for military stores.

[Gregger]

Leather jacket, Giali jeans

Never fell off but better than nothing

Axo sports boots cool and comfy

Take a long, wiry lock and you can lock clothing to the bike

Otherwise tough it out and book into a hotel with air c0n every night!

Spose MX helmets cooling?

[raymo]

Cycle shorts ( you can get them with gel pads!!) under cordura belstaff trowsers with side zips when stopping for fuel or a break:- jacket off and unzip to air the legs and other bits :twisted: talc and sudacream to prevent sore nads :twisted: seriously in france last week the sweat was running down my back and down the crack of my a.. too much info I know ... would recomment the use of cycle shorts though

use a camel back and re-hydrate on the move.. I stored the bladder from mine in the large rear pocket on the jacked so it rested on the seat rather than on my back.. 2-4 lts a day as a min in hot weather..it amazing how much fuid you lose. The enduro kit is designed to keep the rider cool

Gloves:- if you go with out them use sun cream.. better still use a light summer pair armoured gloves or the fingerless training gloves if you must.. fell of a mountaon bike once at speed and these saved my palms from gravel rash.. but on a motorcycle I prefere a full light weigh armoured glove.

bottom line:- air flow and plenty of water:-)

ray

have a good time.. mmm need another holiday :twisted:

[doglegdon]

In the distant East, where our average summer temp's are around 34-38 C, I wear vented light weight/mesh jacket with removeable Kevlar back/shoulder and elbow pads. Light weight gloves with kevlar mesh knuckles and fingers. Pair of standard jeans, with internal knee pockets, (kindly mum in law with sewing machine), for standard off the shelf knee armour. Then bottoming out with a pair of Redwing Pecos steel toed rig boots, which don't half pong after a coupla days in the saddle. (Strangely enough, all my dogs seem to love them, especially once they're newly off!) Probably a can of air freshner might be a useful bring along on your trip too, whatever you decide on the footwear side. :lol: :wink:

[Dilbert]

In the distant East, where our average summer temp's are around 34-38 C, I wear vented light weight/mesh jacket with removeable Kevlar back/shoulder and elbow pads. Light weight gloves with kevlar mesh knuckles and fingers. Pair of standard jeans, with internal knee pockets, (kindly mum in law with sewing machine), for standard off the shelf knee armour. Then bottoming out with a pair of Redwing Pecos steel toed rig boots, which don't half pong after a coupla days in the saddle. (Strangely enough, all my dogs seem to love them, especially once they're newly off!) Probably a can of air freshner might be a useful bring along on your trip too, whatever you decide on the footwear side. :lol: :wink:

Full Marks Doglegdon, common sense and lightweight gear, I don't sweat much, but it runs down my back in the leathers in this weather, still reckon it's better to sweat like a pig than squeal like one when you come off.
You guys gotta wear gloves, I left the palm of my right hand on a gravelly road once, not the sort of thing you do twice :shock:

[Chad]

You guys gotta wear gloves, I left the palm of my right hand on a gravelly road once, not the sort of thing you do twice :shock:

have to agree with you there dude that stings like a ******* :thumbup:

[willb]

I've got a pair of Draggin Jeans, they're ok on the move in summer, but if you feel the heat as badly as me they can still be a bit warm whilst walking round (especially in Black!!!).

I also have Altberg boots which are great for walking in too, especially as mine a re laceups.

[XRV_AndyM]

Cheers guys,

I always ride with protective gear. I will never forget the africa twin that passed me the Cote D'Azur. I was doing 160km and the guy overtook me wearing flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt. Insane... :)

Had a look at the Altberg boots. Will take a trip to the camping store to see if they have any tough ones similar. Think I will also get one of those Platypus Bladders.
http://www.backcountrygear.com/manufacturers/Platypus.cfm

They have them in a camping store here in Dublin. The Wiry lock idea is great, cheers Gregger. Never though of locking my jacket to the bike. I always try to travel with an empty top box, (Or just have a day pack in it) so that I can stash my tank bag and Helmet and go walkabout. Never thought of locking the jacket to the bike, arghh how stoopid of me!

With the lining out my bike jacket and trousers are light enough to let air pass through.

So my shopping list now is:
Strong Hiking Boots
Platypus Water Bladder thing
Wiry Lock
Draggin Jeans with Armour
Light leather gloves with armour plate
Cycle Shorts
Oh yeah... and the Sudacreme! :)


I better get cracking cause I leave in just over a week!!


Oh.. I have sorted the smelly boot thing!!! Use this stuff and yer feet will never smell again... My girfriend can verify that! :)

http://www.beautycenter.co.uk/fiche_produit.php?id_rayon=152&id_article=5269

[doglegdon]

Cheers guys,

Oh.. I have sorted the smelly boot thing!!! Use this stuff and yer feet will never smell again... My girfriend can verify that! :)

http://www.beautycenter.co.uk/fiche_produit.php?id_rayon=152&id_article=5269

Thx for the link, will make the wife happy but my dogs'll be heart broken. Happy trip anyway.

[z-weiser]

as far as boots go - the HI-TEC magnum boots worn by soldiers and coppers are pretty nails and as they have canvass in low wear areas will be quite cool!

[icenian]

I have a pair of Altberg boots look like normal boots but have added protection specificaly for motorbiking. Problrm is they are made to order and take about six weeks. have a look at website http://altberg.co.uk.


It's worth 'phoning them and explaining you're in a hurry. They don't really carry much stock but they may have a pair. Even their "proper" motorcycle boots are very comfortable off the bike, as they are based on walking boot soles.

BTW don't look at the web site RRP prices, 'phone them and ask for a price, you may get a very pleasant surprise.

If you like the idea of non-bike boots but which are OK for the bike, Altberg also do a range of military boots. I have a pair of these (Peacekeeper) and they are the most comfortable footwear I have ever worn, bar none. Heavier weight military boots are probably a better bike/off bike compromise though. You may find they have better stock of these than the bike range.

I think londonbubble is referring to their "Hog" boot, which is rather like a military boot but with a gearchange pad and ankle padding. probably the best bike/off bike compromise, if you can get them.

[icenian]

I have ordered a pair of Draggin Jeans cause last year I was baked in my usual textile trousers. Anybody got a pair? Are they any good or would you recommend something else?

Good plan to get this type of jeans!
http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/assets/images/drag102.jpg
That's 14.5oz (heavyweight) denim, ripped to shreds; the yellow stuff is the intact kevlar layer beneath.

Draggin Jeans seem to have a fair reputation. Also consider Hood jeans: http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/

Main differences with Hood jeans is that they are fully lined with kevlar, whereas the Draggin jeans are lines only at key points; Hood have Knox armour; Hood finish them to whatever inside leg length you want; and Hood are cheaper than most - but not all - suppliers of Draggin.

The full kevlar lining is reassuring, though it probably makes them a bit hotter. Suppose it depends on whjether you want them for riding about town, if you you want to blast down the Autoroute in them?

I don't know if Knox is better than the armour Draggin supply, but it's definitely good.

I liked the finishing service, as the Draggin jeans would be too long for me (excess fabric stuffed in boots isn't comfortable, and I'm too old and grumpy to tolerate discomfort), but that's not an issue if you're tall!

[icenian]

Hood jeans ... are fully lined with kevlar, whereas the Draggin jeans are lines only at key points


Actually I see Hood now also offer partly lined jeans, similar to Draggin, as well as the fully lined ones.

BTW I have some Hood jeans - the 'combat' style (chose that style because they're polycotton, and dry fast) - but I have no other connection with them, other than I like promoting small British family firms that make good quality products...

[HelmetHair]

HG Tuareg all the way, head to toe.
Hate to say it, but best way to stay cool on a trip is not to plan yourself a trip in the middle of summer :oops:

[barftone]

Cycle shorts? Way too hot! :oops:

[Maverick]

Been wearing the tuareg gear for over 3 years and can't fault it except that I got tired changing twice a day from bike stuff to work clothes. The aerostich suit is very good and quick to change but it is just to damn hot in this weather even with all the vents open. You can't remove the lining either so you effectively in a self inflicted sauna :lol:

[chalkzter]

Have a look at the REV - IT range very good come with removable waterproof liner but the best bit is the air mesh outer shell and fully knox armoured about £130 jacket and £100 trousers thats from my local Honda dealers Kent Motorcycles they have a web site but not sure if they do mail order.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

http://www.revit.net/

Choose Europe/English and the "Dynamic" range. It doesn't look like they take orders on-line in Europe, but there is a dealer locator.

[FatFergie]

I’ve worn shorty boots that are comfortable for walking for years, usually ordinary hiking boots, I reckon even cordura boots will do a fair job, but I don’t think they’re any cooler than bike boots just more convenient and comfortable off bike.I don’t often get to ride in hot weather (it’s Ireland) but I have used the cable lock idea to leave my jacket.I’ve also seen a cable mesh/net in outdoor shops for securing rucksacks and I’ve thought about getting one to secure my soft luggage. A padlock through the d-ring of my lid and onto the handlebar frees my topbox for my jacket or anything else
I have draggin Jeans and they’re ok, the lining is actually quite thick and warm but definitely better than leathers or goretex/waterproofs. The knox armour isn’t great, it fits to the knitted lining with velcro and the inside of the pads is uncomfortable and very sweaty on my (delicate maybe) skin, it also doesn’t stay in place very well when you’re off the bike walking around, I’ll probably sew pockets into the knees to keep them in place and cover the insides . One advantage is that if it’s very hot on the move you can wet them before you set off and the evaporation will cool you down. In Australia they actually sell a range of gear designed to be worn wet.
I always wear gloves, even if my hands get so sweaty that the dye comes off on my hands. I would go without a helmet before going without gloves on the principle that my hands are more useful to me than my brain!
I wear a dainese cordura goretex jacket and it’s pretty good if it’s hot, cooler than my old fieldsheer leather jacket and I fasten the cuffs over the gloves so that a bit of air gets up my sleeves. The thing that makes it very hot is the back protector. Removing it makes a big difference I’m looking for a more vented one. Any ideas?

[icenian]

I was thinking these might be good in hot weather. Not sure about safety - but has to be massively better than bare hands (not that I ever do that)

http://www.alpinestars.com/moto/gloves_smx2aircarbonglove.html
http://www.alpinestars.com/facelift/productswapcolors/smx2aircarbonblack_main.jpg

[chalkzter]

Those gloves are great I am thinking of getting a pair a fellow bike instructor uses them and swears by them. I have also been using a fieldsheer jacket and trousers I got from the Ally Pally bike show ( not much use to you now I know) :wink:
as for boots/feet try Tilley socks they really wick the sweat away get them from blacks, and I also use magunm patrol boots with zips fitted (thats cos Im lazy) :lol: or is it a safty thing.
of course all this info is all a bit late if your going on the 3rd August so have a good trip and take some photos.
I look forward to the ride report. :lol:

[chalkzter]

Then bottoming out with a pair of Redwing Pecos steel toed rig boots,
You really shouldn't use Steal toe capped boots far too much risk of loosing your toes in an off. :cry: better to stick to Motorcycle boots or if you must go with military boots :lol: (I do)

[Dilbert]

Those gloves look fine (a bit like mine actualy), just check out the palm, no matter how much you say your not going to put your hand down in an off you just can't avoid that type of reflex reaction.

[Mudwiz]

I may be a bit late to post here, but over the last few weeks I've been able to fully test my hot weather kit.

As has been mentioned, nothing beats Altberg boots, wear with a thin pair of thermal socks in this weather, then motocross trousers with knee/shin armour, over cycling shorts with padding, and thermal (wicking) knickers, hold your bits in and prevent the cotton absorbtion/chaff situation. On top, a thin thermal shirt (I'm a great beliver in Patagonia's Capilene range) with a road race back plate with front padding - longer than motocross/enduro armour and covers down to the base of the spine, with elbow/forearm armour. Ideally this would be toped off with a motocross shirt to hold it all in, but I'm too tight to spend £20+ on a "nothing" shirt!
I use a cheap motocross helmet, with goggles and a photochromic lens. Current gloves are an oversized HG tuareg pair, my long fingers make fitting gloves an issue!
Hydration is the key - I use an old rucksack with 2 elastic straps round to compress its size with a 2l platypus hoser in.

(I'm also a mountianeer, so a firm beliver in planning kit right down to the last details, never forget it's your pants/knickers that surround your most delicate areas!)

[raymo]

got to agree with the thermal shirt.. some a contradiction but...I used a Low Alpine dry flo base layer.. it would get soaked in sweat and dry on the body very quickly.. at night washed out hung up and dried over night.. I took too much gear T shirts etc.. think the way to go is two sets and then wash out. and dry overnight The mountaineering stuff, combined with the enduro kit is the way to go for the weather we had recently ( pishing with rain and blowing gale here !!!)..

[24ftlb]

Recently bought some 'airmesh' textile jacket, trousers and gloves. Very happy. First day I wore it to travel to work in I thought s##t wish Id put a sweat shirt on. Mind you its not waterproof. On the way to the bike dealer in sheffield the heavens opened....I got to the dealer, stood talking to the salesman with an ever larger pool of water gathering round my feet :D

Paul

[Rubberchicken]

What he said. :fish:

And mind you they're also pretty nippy when for some reason things drag on a bit during the day and you find yourself headed for home at night under a clear sky...

In other words, I was very glad indeed that I'd stuffed some additional gear in the panniers yesterday. ;-)