How to stay cool when riding in the heat (~95+)

[spacetiger]

Having ridden back from Ga to N. Va (760 miles) in one sitting under the sun yesterday, I found a cheap solution to riding in the high heat.

Buy 2 of these: Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad Evaporative Cooling Snap Towel.
http://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Togg-Ch...&qid=1434675188&sr=8-1&keywords=cooling+towel

You can get them at walmart or you can get their generic version (that is the one I bought). 2 towels cost less than $20.

You carry the spare in a small cooler with some ice and water. The other one is soaked in the cold water just short of dripping water. You fold it length wise with the textured side out. You then lay it around the neck before zipping up your riding jacket. I swear for about 2 hrs/150 miles, the evapoarative effect is very noticeable around the neck and top of the back. By the time you stop to gas up, the towel is dried up and stiff. After gassing up, you swap the towels; resoaking the dried one with water. If you ride 2 up, buy 4. I stayed cool for 8 hours despite 100 degree weather.

I'll look for the article, but there was a motorcyclist article concerning riding gear and heat. The jist of the article was when the temp gets over 90+, you need to ride covered as the direct sun/high heat can really sap the moisture out of you as you move trough the air. Staying covered reduced the hot air over the exposed skin even though it sounds like it would be hotter. With the towel giving you the evaporative cooling affect, you can not ride comfortably in the heat.

Someone use the towel and post back your experience.

Jerry

 

[SNOOPY]

:thumbup:

 

[SNOOPY]

How big of a towel are we talking? Just wondering how well it stays in place, or does it sit under your shirt somewhat?

Maybe I need to read your post again roflmao

.

 

[spacetiger]

How big of a towel are we talking? Just wondering how well it stays in place, or does it sit under your shirt somewhat?

Maybe I need to read your post again roflmao

.

About 36" long, 20" wide. Once folded lenthwise, it is 36" x 10". You lay it over the back of your neck with a length of towel hanging down on each side of your neck. When you zip up the jacket, there is only an small exposed piece past your jacket neck area sticking out. The material is such that the moisture is draw to the point of extraction. So the long pices about your neck eventually send all of its water to the neck area. That's why its good for 2 hours; its ideal for the bike rider as you have high air flow so this thing works even in high humidity conditions too.

It would be awesome in the desert.

 

[Bob Denman]

I've used a similar tactic at Walt Disney World in MId-July... All day long in the Sun in 97 degree heat... I was about as comfortable as I could have hoped for! :thumbup:

...And if a towel fight breaks out; I'm ready!

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

I found the best way to stay cool is take the car and turn the a/c up high

 

[Orange Spyder Man]

I carry a 20 oz drinking water with the pop up cap thingy .. squirt some water on my riding jacket & ride... the evaporative effect will give you chills at 60MPH.. it takes about 1 hr to dry... then I squirt it again... and its a good idea to carry a bottle water to keep hydrated..

osm

 

[Bob Denman]

I found the best way to stay cool is take the car and turn the a/c up high

True... but it's so easy, that even I can do it!

:shocked:...And you don't' want to be like Me!

 

[donkes]

You can also ride naked

 

[jetmech]

Having ridden back from Ga to N. Va (760 miles) in one sitting under the sun yesterday, I found a cheap solution to riding in the high heat.

Buy 2 of these: Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad Evaporative Cooling Snap Towel.
http://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Togg-Ch...&qid=1434675188&sr=8-1&keywords=cooling+towel

You can get them at walmart or you can get their generic version (that is the one I bought). 2 towels cost less than $20.

You carry the spare in a small cooler with some ice and water. The other one is soaked in the cold water just short of dripping water. You fold it length wise with the textured side out. You then lay it around the neck before zipping up your riding jacket. I swear for about 2 hrs/150 miles, the evapoarative effect is very noticeable around the neck and top of the back. By the time you stop to gas up, the towel is dried up and stiff. After gassing up, you swap the towels; resoaking the dried one with water. If you ride 2 up, buy 4. I stayed cool for 8 hours despite 100 degree weather.

I'll look for the article, but there was a motorcyclist article concerning riding gear and heat. The jist of the article was when the temp gets over 90+, you need to ride covered as the direct sun/high heat can really sap the moisture out of you as you move trough the air. Staying covered reduced the hot air over the exposed skin even though it sounds like it would be hotter. With the towel giving you the evaporative cooling affect, you can not ride comfortably in the heat.

Someone use the towel and post back your experience.

Jerry

Those towels work well. I know some motorcycle stores also sell a evaporator vents. My friends say the work well also. The neck wraps work well also.

 

[Bob Denman]

You can also ride naked

My Town has specifically addressed that issue... pps:
But they couldn't force me to wear a Burka!