You don’t need us to tell you it’s hot outside.  The intensity of the sun and humidity in the Chengdu Basin, surrounded west, north, east, and partially to the south by mountains, the heavy, humid air just sits and gets even heavier.  Now that we’re at the start of almost 2 months of this type of weather let‘s see how we can deal with it and keep ourselves in the saddle.

Dress for Hot Weather

There is tons of technical clothing now available that actually performs the function is claimed.  This doesn’t have to be cycling specific jerseys or chamois, lycra, and ventilation zippers built in everywhere, although this certainly helps.  Lightweight materials with wicking properties will help you cool off and prevent the uncomfortable build-up of sweat.  These materials, for both tops and bottoms, also ventilate well and dry fast, and provide a even better, a full-length front zip cycling jersey can help you regulate temperature and give the control how much you unzip.

The breeze you create by riding along has its own cooling effect, and it’s sometimes only when you stop riding do you appreciate exactly how hot it is.

Ride in the morning or evening

A very obvious way to avoid intensity sun’s rays is to avoid the hottest periods of the day for your ride or commute.  During summer months daylight starts early and ends late, so head out early for a sunrise ride or go for a cruise later in the evening and enjoy the cooler temperatures and lighter traffic.

If you ride in the evening, make sure you have some safety lights in case you find yourself having so much fun you get caught when the sun goes down. Night riding even later, well after the sun goes down, can also be fun and give a different perspective of otherwise familiar roads.

Take it easy

If you’re commuting to work or just our for fun ride keeping the pace a little lighter than normal will help reduce the amount of heat your own body creates.  You’ll also be able to take more advantage of the cooling effect of the breeze you create by moving.  Set out a few minutes earlier and enjoy your normal routes a bit slower than usual.

Protect your skin

Some cyclists can get quite proud of a “cyclists tan” a badge of honor, having that clean, crisp mark on the thighs and upper arm delineating where their cycling cloths end.  For some it even looks like their still wearing a light colored shirt and shorts when if fact they are just naked.  Excessive exposure to the sun will cause a damaging sunburn, and increase the risk of skin cancer due to excessive ultraviolet light, or, far worse, make you look like you still spend time in the fields tending land for a living.

Get some sunscreen with a high SPF rating or get yourself some of the other gear available in China like arm shades or face visors to protect exposed skin.

Stay Hydrated

Pay attention to fluid intake during your ride as well as when you get home.  Certainly drink plenty of plain old water, but don’t forget to include some other liquids to help replace the electrolytes you lose when sweating.  If you find your muscles cramping for no reason it often means your state of hydration is out of wack and you need more fluids.