What to wear..

[Burnspot]

Burnspot - What Fieldsheer pants do you have? My Olympia's have gotten a bit big for me, especially with nothing underneath, and I'm looking at the Titanium Airflow 4's, but they are out of stock everywhere I've looked.

I'm not sure if it's the actual model name, but they say "Phoslite" on the tag inside...they are about 6 years old (bought as my initial gear investment before going to the Stich). They have seen very little time on the road because I normally wear my Roadcrafter most of the time...but with the extreme heat/humidity, they're starting to see some use, lol.

Edit - Should mention that the pants look brand new thanks to the relative lack of use they've seen. That said, after 3 days of use last week, one of the lower leg zippers broke (just a zipper that goes from top of boot to cuff); there's still a velcro flap that does the same job.

 

[Drew]

You could ride the hot slab sections at night.

That was under consideration but I'd prefer daylight. Also, since having Lasik surgery in January, my night time driving ability has kind if went to sh*t, at least after the 10pm time range or so.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I recall someone here getting the Aerostich Tank Panniers and putting them over the pillion seat so that the bags are supported by the pillion pegs. Then a gallon water cooler goes in one of the bags with a drink tube drilled into the side. It looked like a pretty tidy solution.

Camelbak tip: After taking a drink, blow back into the line to push the water back into the bag...prevents solar heating of the water in the tube.

Good idea...unless you don't like backwash floating in your fresh water source.

 

[FJRMGM]

Camelbak tip: After taking a drink, blow back into the line to push the water back into the bag...prevents solar heating of the water in the tube.

Good idea...unless you don't like backwash floating in your fresh water source.

better a little backwash than a mouthful of hot water.

 

[ULEWZ]

I use Leather pants and mesh jacket as I find the leather better suited to the neither regions. I also fill a camelbac up with ice and then topped off with water. The Ice keeps you cool and melts into a nice cool drink. I also use a Neckrap that I freeze before leaving and place in a ziploc bag for storage until the ride gets hot.

 

[Drew]

I'm not sure if it's the actual model name, but they say "Phoslite" on the tag inside...

I believe that term is in reference to the reflective piping on the pants.

 

[Burnspot]

I recall someone here getting the Aerostich Tank Panniers and putting them over the pillion seat so that the bags are supported by the pillion pegs. Then a gallon water cooler goes in one of the bags with a drink tube drilled into the side. It looked like a pretty tidy solution.

Camelbak tip: After taking a drink, blow back into the line to push the water back into the bag...prevents solar heating of the water in the tube.

Good idea...unless you don't like backwash floating in your fresh water source.

Heh, my Camelbak is just for me, so backwash, if any, is just fine. Hot water in the tube is just a bummer.

BTW, true Camelbak bliss is when you have a bug strike on the mouthpiece and find out just a wee bit too late...

I'm not sure if it's the actual model name, but they say "Phoslite" on the tag inside...

I believe that term is in reference to the reflective piping on the pants.

Yea, I see that now from a casual Google search. In any case, I'm sure the pant model I have has long since been replaced by something else.

 

[JET]

I live in Charlotte, and have made a couple of trips (7-8 hr) up into the Blue Ridge and mountain areas recently. Wearing a Fieldsheer mesh jacket with a cotton tee, and Tourmaster mesh pants with a loose nylon short and underwear. I haven't really had a problem with sweating, it gets hot at stoplights, but it just seems hot, I don't start sweating profusely. Top side hasn't been uncomfortable, but I was thinking of ditching the nylon shorts and just going with the underwear as the shorts seem to bunch up and that gets uncomfortable.

Last weekend as a test I wore some "smart wool" over the calf socks that were actually quite comfortable. I didn't feel alot of heat, and no sweating. But when I got back and pulled my boots off my legs were wet from sweat, and I stuck my hand in the boot and it was pretty hot. I just didn't notice it when I was riding so I think I'm gonna use them more.

I also have a pair of Fieldsheer mesh gloves. I took them off for a couple of miles and felt a big difference especially in my right hand. It was starting to cramp a little, but then taking them off it felt much better. I guess getting some air circulation helped. I think gloves make a big difference when it comes to hand cramping, wrist pain.

 

[Imp]

I bought a Glacier Tek cooling vest, it has 4 cooling panels that help in with the heat stress. I have ridden with it in 110+ temps. Keeps me cool for 2 hours. I wear it under my Cycle Port GP2 suit. Found that if I wear a mesh it is like riding in an oven with hot air blowing one me. The cooling systems that use evaporation don't work well with the 100% humitity that is the norm here. The down side is that one must re-charge it every 2 hours either 30 min in the freezer or a cooler with ice.

 

[CAJW]

In my first post, forgot to mention what many have said, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I run my camelbak, (bladder only) inside of my tank bag insulated by my other stuff and makes it handy to get to while on the go, so one is more apt to use it. Also, if you don't have a rifle tuning block, that helps a bunch in getting of air on you. +1 on the long sleeves of wicking type material & LD shorts, works good!

 

[rushes]

You could ride the hot slab sections at night.

That was under consideration but I'd prefer daylight. Also, since having Lasik surgery in January, my night time driving ability has kind if went to sh*t, at least after the 10pm time range or so.

I cain't see worth shit at night anymore either.....

Yer next test run..

Wait 'till ya feel the sweat runnin down..

Then stand up on the pegs till ya dry....

Sit down an start over...

Let me know your results...

 

[Pale Rider 07]

Just don't roll out there in a t-shirt and regular pants. You'll dehydrate much faster with nothing to keep the sweat on your skin for at least a short time.

You don't have to spend big money on the Under Armor stuff. I can't speak for the LDComfort stuff as I don't have it. I suggest a trip to Wal-Mart and purchase some Starter synthetic underwear and shirts. I own Under Armor and Starter and honestly other than a lighter wallet when buying Underarmor stuff I can't tell a difference between the two performance wise. They both beat the hell out of cotton stuff that's for sure

I agree with buying the Starter synthetic from Walmart. The trick is to wear long sleeves and the synthetic pants. You will really feel the wicking and evaporation effect anywhere they touch your skin. I can't stand to feel the sleeves of my mesh jacket against my bare arms when the humidity hits the 90's and up. Whatever you do, stay hydrated.

 

[Fred W]

You could ride the hot slab sections at night.

That was under consideration but I'd prefer daylight. Also, since having Lasik surgery in January, my night time driving ability has kind if went to sh*t, at least after the 10pm time range or so.

I cain't see worth shit at night anymore either.....

Yeah, that's why I suggested only doing the slab parts at night. Things are usually better visibility on the open slab vs back roads.

But I prefer to sweat during the daylight than ride after dark too. Of course you could still take a little siesta after lunch during the worst heat... :lazy:

 

[FJRMGM]

start early in the day and get most of the riding in by noon.

 

[Drew]

I stand on the pegs now from time to time, good way to get a little bit of a cool down, as well as fart.

Start time at 0600 might be doable, ride until noon-ish and then start up at around 2:00 or so until late afternoon.

I'm going to give the long sleeves and tights a trial run this weekend, see how they feel.

I hate that my night vision has went south so much cause I prefer driving at night when I travel, cooler and less traffic, but I don't think I can do it on the bike.

There are lots of options, thanks for the inputs.

Mesh is really nice for cool riding in the heat, it does NOTHING to slow down rain penetration. It finally rained in OKC this morning. And I rode.

 

[Drew]

It'll be in the low 100's all weekend so a trial run with the long sleeves and tights in the next couple days.

Are there any online route planning sites that are pretty decent other than this one? (Blasphemy?)

HD Ride Planner

 

[rocketdoc]

You have some great advise here, and should be pretty comfortable really. I have found that by late afternoon, I am getting a little heat and irritation on my inner thighs and butt. Sitting and sweating, even with the UnderArmour wicking shorts/tights it gets ugly. Monkey Butt powder has been hailed as the answer, never tried it, but I do use Gold Bond Foot Powder. It dries, cools and feels great. I remember the first time I used it in a rest stop bathroom. The relief was wonderful. I will also use some of my icewater camelback kept in the tank bag to freshen up the cooling vest I wear under my mesh. Take the time at rest stops to wash your face and the back of your neck. Really helps you stay alert as the warmest part of the day starts to wear you down. Ride safe.

 

[Drew]

Took off yesterday afternoon around 1:30, the readout on the bike was anywhere from 102 - 106 degrees during the ride, rode for a couple hours to see how things felt.

- I like the long sleeve top, although it wasn't tight enough. I need something more compression like, not just fitted. I could feel the sweat rolling down my back too many times.

- The leggings were okay as well, maybe need a pair that is better at wicking, but either way there just wasn't a lot of ventilation or air movement while on the bike. As soon as I stood up or got off the bike, it was pretty decent. I haven't moved the fairing position, not sure if this will help or not.

- My lower legs got very warm, almost to the uncomfortable stage. I picked up some wicking socks at Wally World to try, but I don't think that is the issue, more like engine and road heat.

- I bought a Recon 19L tank bag with the hydration bladder. Once I was used to the wart on top of the tank, I was more comfortable and drinking from the hose got easier each time as well. Water is a must, it really helped, and I may get an additional camelback.

- My ass hurt. I have a Corbin with an Alaskan Leather buttpad but I just need more cushion. Maybe a Russell down the road, but not this trip.

- The MADco throttle lock worked well enough to give my hand a rest, but it will need adjusted to keep from slipping too much. Seems like this may be a continuous adjustment kind of thing.

- I need something to help keep the crampbuster from slipping as well, it moves way too easy.

That's about it. Looks like long sleeves with leggings under the gear, just need to get the right stuff.

 

[dbx]

You're figuring out what works best for you, and that's a good thing.

Personally, I tried the Under Armor approach (shorts and t-shirt) a couple years ago and hated it. The shorts were uncomfortable in multiple ways and the t-shirt caused my body temp to spike every time I stopped, then dive every time I took off. Since then, they've stayed in a drawer where they can't do any harm. It's cotton for me.

 

[AVGeek]

For trip planning, I've been using the TripTik tool on aaa.com You don't need to be a member to use it (just create a free account there), and I can sync it to my iPhone for turn by turn directions (I have a Sena setup in my helmet, but haven't used this app for navigation yet).

Since I live in Phoenix, I have one of the Techniche cooling vests. I do wear mesh gear (as I usually don't wear the cooling vest on the morning ride in), but in my experience the cooling effect lasts longer under my perforated leather jacket (less air getting in means less evaporation happening). I also soak a bandanna to wear under my helmet, and have another cooling bandanna that I tie around my neck.