With the start of summer here (even if we’re waiting for the weather to catch up!) and school holidays on their way, chances are you and the family are planning to get out on your bikes.
Whether you’re beginners or seasoned cyclists, you really can’t beat a day of riding in the sun. It’s a cheap and easy way to keep everyone entertained and get exercise at the same time!
With that in mind there are definitely some pitfalls you’ll want to avoid. To make sure you and your family have a seamless summer of cycling we’ve put together this blog with our best warm weather biking tips.
Stay Hydrated
We all know how important it is to stay hydrated and it’s never more important than when the sun’s out! Cycling can be hard work and you’re even more likely to build up a sweat when the weather is hot, making sure you replace the fluids you lose will mean your stamina is improved and you’re able to cycle for longer.
We’re always surprised by how many people will head out on a bike ride without taking a drink, especially when it’s so cheap and easy to carry a bottle on your bike with our wide range of bottle cages and bottles. adults should drink around half a litre every 90 minutes if possible (the kids will need slightly less) by taking small sips regularly. You want to avoid feeling thirsty as that’s your body’s way of letting you know you haven’t drunk enough, so little and often is the way to go.
Take it easy
Whether you’re fit as a fiddle or just starting out, when it’s hot everyone finds cycling that little bit more difficult. There’s absolutely no shame in taking it easy, it’s not a race! So sit up, go a little bit easier than usual and take in the sights and sounds of nature as you cycle along.
The added benefit to cycling slower is you can spend more effort keeping your eyes peeled for opportunities to stop for ice cream. We’re sure no one in the family will argue about that one!
Slap on the sun cream
This is another one that we all know is important but when it comes to cycling it’s all too easy to forget. The problem is that when you’re cycling along, the passing air cools you down and you don’t feel the heat in the same way you do when sitting in the sun. Try to make sure everyone is adequately covered before you set off on your ride, to ensure you don’t fall into this trap!
We’re also all apparently guilty of not using nearly enough sun cream when we do remember to put it on. The golden rule is to aim for one teaspoon of sun cream per arm & leg, with another teaspoon for your face, ears and neck. The higher the SPF the better, especially for kids.
Protect your eyes
While we’re on the subject of sun safety it’s a good time to remind you not to forget to look after you and your family’s eyes! Making sure everyone is wearing a pair of sunglasses is an easy way to protect everyone from harmful UV rays. They also keep any wayward dirt or bugs out of your eyes while you’re cycling.
Dress for the weather
Now this one may seem a little obvious… We don’t expect you’re going to go cycling in your fluffiest wooly jumper at the height of summer but even a T-shirt can leave you feeling too warm and sweaty. Try to wear a sports style T-shirt instead, they leave you cooler and when you do work up a sweat they are better at wicking it away from your skin. They also take much less time to dry off meaning you’re more comfortable for longer.
If you really want to beat the weather then get yourself a proper cycling jersey, these are specifically designed to keep you as comfortable as possible for your summer trips (and they have pockets on the back to store some mid ride snacks so they’re a win win!)
Ride when it’s coolest
One of our favourite things to do is try and head out early in the morning or later on in the day when it’s a little bit cooler. Yes it might be a struggle getting the kids out of bed but you end up having a much more enjoyable ride when you’re not in the midday sun.
You also get the added benefit that any roads you’re cycling on are likely to be that little bit quieter which is always reassuring if you’re riding with any little ones or riders that are less confident in busy traffic.
