Keeping cool while riding.... What do you use?

E-man811
Posts
275
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
North East, GA, USA
Edited Date/Time 6/27/2012 7:04pm
I need to research everything possible to help me with keeping my core temperature down while riding and between motos.
I've heat exhausted myself enough times that my temperature regulation system is just about kaput.

I use a separate ice chest for cold towels.
I take my boots off after every moto and put my feet on bags of ice
Stay in the shade
Wear a vented Jersey
I have tried evaporative vests while riding but they seem to hold more heat in than cool

I'm looking into replacing my old Shoei VFX-R with a new VFX-W for it's venting

What do you use?

What are the best vented pants, gloves, helmet, chest protector?
Any cooling vests that work?

Thanks.
|
6/25/2012 9:27am
Here in the swampy south there is no escape. Situational awareness is best. Hydrate and stay out of the sun.
jamma10
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Bristol, GB
6/25/2012 9:39am
bigmaico
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971
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Location
Kingwood, TX, USA
6/25/2012 9:46am Edited Date/Time 6/25/2012 9:51am
I 'm in Houston & rode yesterday it was about 95%.

I just stayed in the shade & had a fan blowing, I was at Rio Bravo & they have a covered pavilion. also have a Pool too!

I ware the Moose Racing Sahara jersey & pants, the venting on them is great.

Just cut your track time down by a lap or 2 & rest longer between practice sessions & do more sessions.

Also like everyone tells you, you need to hydrate & make sure that you hydrate more during the week before.

Remember that the after ride beer is a diuretic & will dehydrate you, so make sure to keep drinking water after the post ride beer.

There is a cool vest that one of the big company's sells, but I can't remember if it 's Alpine Stars or EVS , etc

Found it http://www.evs-sports.com/evs-blog/2011/07/ctr-core-temperature-regulat…
6/25/2012 9:54am
I just wear shorts and look at the bike all cleaned up until a nice day shows up. Works perfect!

The Shop

Eywa
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Location
Pandora, USA
6/25/2012 10:02am Edited Date/Time 6/25/2012 10:03am
jamma10 wrote:
[img]http://photos.imageevent.com/motorbiker/newspics/NakedMotocross.jpg[/img]
It might be cool, but I wouldn't want to crash. They all look like 2 strokes, at least when you touch your leg to the pipe you won't get an instant 3rd degree burn.

Personally I just strap a small window air conditioner on the front.
6/25/2012 10:03am
jamma10 wrote:
[img]http://photos.imageevent.com/motorbiker/newspics/NakedMotocross.jpg[/img]
Eywa wrote:
It might be cool, but I wouldn't want to crash. They all look like 2 strokes, at least when you touch your leg to the pipe...
It might be cool, but I wouldn't want to crash. They all look like 2 strokes, at least when you touch your leg to the pipe you won't get an instant 3rd degree burn.

Personally I just strap a small window air conditioner on the front.
Yeah totally and they smell like fart.
FGR01
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6139
Joined
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Location
USA
Fantasy
6/25/2012 11:07am
yeah, in GA, the humidity is your enemy. You are already doing right by stripping down between motos and staying in the shade with your feet on ice. Another suggestion is to bring multiple sets of gear and keep changing into dry gear. Once all that heavy synthetic stuff gets saturated with sweat your body can not breathe to cool itself. Kneepads, pants, and helmet liner are the worst.

You are right, the cool vest will do more harm than good in a humid environment. Any cooling device that is designed to work by evaporation will not work in the humidity because it will not evaporate.

I'm right there with you. Had a few heatstrokes myself including one in GA about 20 years ago.
E-man811
Posts
275
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
North East, GA, USA
6/25/2012 11:33am
FGR01 wrote:
yeah, in GA, the humidity is your enemy. You are already doing right by stripping down between motos and staying in the shade with your feet...
yeah, in GA, the humidity is your enemy. You are already doing right by stripping down between motos and staying in the shade with your feet on ice. Another suggestion is to bring multiple sets of gear and keep changing into dry gear. Once all that heavy synthetic stuff gets saturated with sweat your body can not breathe to cool itself. Kneepads, pants, and helmet liner are the worst.

You are right, the cool vest will do more harm than good in a humid environment. Any cooling device that is designed to work by evaporation will not work in the humidity because it will not evaporate.

I'm right there with you. Had a few heatstrokes myself including one in GA about 20 years ago.
It's really funny. I bought some of the fest evap cooling stuff available. They want 1-2 minutes of soaking. I only soak them for 30-45 seconds and it takes them 3-4 days to dry. No cooling there.
DDub8
Posts
245
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Austin, TX, USA
6/25/2012 11:59am
I tried one of the cool vests that has the gel inserts that get to about 60 degrees when you put them in an ice chest. It's certainly heavier and bulkier but it worked great and they're designed to lose their "charge" over a period of 2 hours or so. It kept me relatively cool during a 1 hour hare scramble race when it was 98 degrees with humidity around 50%.

They're not cheap but a good option if you're doing longer rides.
6/25/2012 12:09pm
bigmaico wrote:
I 'm in Houston & rode yesterday it was about 95%. I just stayed in the shade & had a fan blowing, I was at Rio...
I 'm in Houston & rode yesterday it was about 95%.

I just stayed in the shade & had a fan blowing, I was at Rio Bravo & they have a covered pavilion. also have a Pool too!

I ware the Moose Racing Sahara jersey & pants, the venting on them is great.

Just cut your track time down by a lap or 2 & rest longer between practice sessions & do more sessions.

Also like everyone tells you, you need to hydrate & make sure that you hydrate more during the week before.

Remember that the after ride beer is a diuretic & will dehydrate you, so make sure to keep drinking water after the post ride beer.

There is a cool vest that one of the big company's sells, but I can't remember if it 's Alpine Stars or EVS , etc

Found it http://www.evs-sports.com/evs-blog/2011/07/ctr-core-temperature-regulat…
I am here in Houston with bigmaico and pretty much follow the same program.

When I ride at Rio Bravo, I also ride on the edge of the track a lot to stay in the shade. Its not always the fastest line but cutting down on the time spend riding under the sun can get you a couple more laps each moto.

This time of year I also cycle a couple evenings a week. I ride for 50 minutes in a low gear with no coasting. That gets me used to getting my heart rate up in this heat and humidity. I find I can stay on the track a little longer when I train for the heat a little.

And finally, wear a stopwatch and time your motos so you know when to quit and head back to the pits. Sometimes you can talk your self into riding a few more laps when you should be back under the tent, with the fans, with the towels soaked in ice water, hydrating with some ice cold bottles of cytomax.
rosebud441
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Location
Bellingham, WA, USA
6/25/2012 12:10pm
I just wear shorts and look at the bike all cleaned up until a nice day shows up. Works perfect!
Thats me, totally.. If its that hot, i'm in the lakeSmile
FreshTopEnd
Posts
13316
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
6/25/2012 12:10pm
Electrolyte slushy. Seriously.

Posted this a couple years back. Not sure if it's caught on in MX, but apparently it's taken seriously by athletic organizations and the military.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/health/nutrition/27best.html

http://www.mendeley.com/research/thermoregulatory-responses-iceslush-beverage-ingestion-exercise-heat/
6/25/2012 1:34pm
I just wear shorts and look at the bike all cleaned up until a nice day shows up. Works perfect!
Works great for leisure riders and hobbyists.
E-man811
Posts
275
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
North East, GA, USA
6/25/2012 1:49pm
Electrolyte slushy. Seriously. Posted this a couple years back. Not sure if it's caught on in MX, but apparently it's taken seriously by athletic organizations and...
Electrolyte slushy. Seriously.

Posted this a couple years back. Not sure if it's caught on in MX, but apparently it's taken seriously by athletic organizations and the military.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/health/nutrition/27best.html

http://www.mendeley.com/research/thermoregulatory-responses-iceslush-beverage-ingestion-exercise-heat/
Thanks FTE. I've always wanted to try that but knew there was no way of keeping slushy mixes cold long enough.

BUT..... I wonder what kind of looks I would get with the Margarita Ice shaving Machine under the EZup. haha.

That's officially added to the list of crap to stuff in the truck.

Can't wait to try it.
Overheating is dangerous for me these days.

Thanks.
FreshTopEnd
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13316
Joined
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Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
6/25/2012 1:55pm
Electrolyte slushy. Seriously. Posted this a couple years back. Not sure if it's caught on in MX, but apparently it's taken seriously by athletic organizations and...
Electrolyte slushy. Seriously.

Posted this a couple years back. Not sure if it's caught on in MX, but apparently it's taken seriously by athletic organizations and the military.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/health/nutrition/27best.html

http://www.mendeley.com/research/thermoregulatory-responses-iceslush-beverage-ingestion-exercise-heat/
E-man811 wrote:
Thanks FTE. I've always wanted to try that but knew there was no way of keeping slushy mixes cold long enough. BUT..... I wonder what kind...
Thanks FTE. I've always wanted to try that but knew there was no way of keeping slushy mixes cold long enough.

BUT..... I wonder what kind of looks I would get with the Margarita Ice shaving Machine under the EZup. haha.

That's officially added to the list of crap to stuff in the truck.

Can't wait to try it.
Overheating is dangerous for me these days.

Thanks.
Try freezing a couple bottles of Gatorade the night before and shake =and drink it when its at the slushy stage of thawing.

Or freeze a Jamba Juice or whatever chain slushy is in your area and drink it at the same stage.
6/25/2012 2:17pm
I just wear shorts and look at the bike all cleaned up until a nice day shows up. Works perfect!
Works great for leisure riders and hobbyists.
Which is 90 percent of this board? Just a guesstimate...

Are you a pro privateer trying to make a living? Not trying to be rude it's just that people take this hobby insanely serious sometimes when it is in fact not all that different from rc cars or baseball or whatever. YES there is a heart and soul to racing but if you talk to people who are really into other hobbies they talk the same way as we do.

I just picture some lil kid on a 65 who sortof sucks and his dad screaming at him. It's just like... "hey dad. he doesn't have it. just have fun and get him through college."

Smile Shit where I'm at we are like 10 inches behind in rain. I rode about 5 minutes yesterday and said...ehhhh.

Hobbyist as fuck. Apparently. lol Then again I spent about 10 years riding all year round in any condition. I have more laps in than about 75% of the other hobbyists I know. So i'm good with it.
mac3-d
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1338
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Location
IE
6/25/2012 2:38pm
i used to pour icy cold water into the top & back of my helmet. it made it just a bit heavier being careful so the water would'nt trickle down to my goggles.worked a treat , races only 30 mins. also drilled holes in my chest guard & cut 1 inch holes in my jersey (an old JT one polyester) . i had the dirtiest neck after the race
6/25/2012 2:39pm
My body also has cool down problems. Once it get to an elevated temperature it takes a good 45 minutes to start feeling better. Days where its up around 100 I get my hair wet before I put the helmet on. I also try and get my jersey wet to have the wind and moisture keep me cool for a while. It lasts for maybe 2-3 laps (or 15 minutes trail riding) and then it's back to normal. It helps me get my heart rate up before getting to hot though. I have a warmer damp towel and a cold one waiting for me when I get back. Don't want to cool off to fast, its not good for you.
FreshTopEnd
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Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
6/25/2012 2:56pm Edited Date/Time 6/25/2012 2:56pm
My body also has cool down problems. Once it get to an elevated temperature it takes a good 45 minutes to start feeling better. Days where...
My body also has cool down problems. Once it get to an elevated temperature it takes a good 45 minutes to start feeling better. Days where its up around 100 I get my hair wet before I put the helmet on. I also try and get my jersey wet to have the wind and moisture keep me cool for a while. It lasts for maybe 2-3 laps (or 15 minutes trail riding) and then it's back to normal. It helps me get my heart rate up before getting to hot though. I have a warmer damp towel and a cold one waiting for me when I get back. Don't want to cool off to fast, its not good for you.
Don't want to cool off to fast, its not good for you.

I think this is an old school myth, at least as to actual temperature control as oppossed to "cooling down" in the sense of tapering off from maximum exertion rather than stopping abruptly.

Ice and a cooling environment are pretty standard protocols for bringing body temperature down.
newmann
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24437
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
6/25/2012 4:20pm
Small ice bags on the hands and wrist/forearms. Lots of bloodflow passes through there on its way to your head from what I've been told.

Most large grocery stores have dry ice available. That shit will freeze anything if you are looking at keeping you slush frozen in the cooler. Throw some popsicles in on the dry ice also.

Get the small pellet ice for your cooler if you can find it. Sonic Drive In's sell there ice locally. Great stuff to chew on when it's a hundred degrees out.

I've put my helmet in the ice chest before or hung it in front of the a/c vent in the truck to chill it down. Cooler heads always prevail.

Here in Southeast Texas, the humidity is the killer. I get to sweating and can't stop. Once your clothes get wet, you're done. Might as well wrap youself in a garbage bag and lay in the sun. Bring an extra set of riding gear if you have it. At least an extra jersey and socks.
nytsmaC
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Location
Frig Off, CA
6/25/2012 5:13pm
machine
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Location
Collettsville, NC, USA
6/25/2012 5:24pm
Best thing you can do in the south is when you put ice in your drink cooler, add some water to the ice. Then take a hand size towel with you. When you come back in from a moto, dip the towel in the icy water and put it on your head and neck area and repeat as necessary. This will do wonders for cooling you down instantly and you will be much less fatigued for the next moto. You will also drink less water too I've noticed.
CRF505
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Location
Clarkston, MI, USA
6/25/2012 5:27pm
Vented gear. Get back into your shorts and flip flops between motos. Stay out of the sun and under the EZ up. Have a fresh set of gear, socks, underwear and a second helmet liner if you can. It might seem a bit over the top but I guarantee you will feel 100% better.
Drtbykr
Posts
2058
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Location
Fredericton, CA
6/25/2012 5:58pm
I agree with machine, even though I ride in the frozen north (well, it isn't always frozen).

You could do like the pro's, Baggett drinks tons of Monster Energy, and Dungey is doing very well pounding back Rockstars.

What......it's just water, GTF OUT! ha, fooled me.



I like me some Powerade. (cheap Gatorade) Can't really imagine the heat some of you ride in,
but here is a hint. If you feel even a hint of heatstroke symptoms, DO NOT get back out there, it
is life or death stuff.
munsch121
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Location
Middletown, NY, USA
6/25/2012 6:12pm Edited Date/Time 6/25/2012 6:13pm
remember cool vests and evaporative vests work differently. An evaporative vest won't do anything in highy humidity, it just wont be able to evaporate into air as humid as itself.

an ice vest or cooling vest will keep you cool for a short period.

For me the best thing is a big baggy vented jersey, get it wet before you ride.no chest plate, good vented pants and free balling no drawers....and no I am not joking, try it yourself
6/25/2012 7:53pm Edited Date/Time 6/25/2012 7:54pm
E-man811 wrote:
I need to research everything possible to help me with keeping my core temperature down while riding and between motos. I've heat exhausted myself enough times...
I need to research everything possible to help me with keeping my core temperature down while riding and between motos.
I've heat exhausted myself enough times that my temperature regulation system is just about kaput.

I use a separate ice chest for cold towels.
I take my boots off after every moto and put my feet on bags of ice
Stay in the shade
Wear a vented Jersey
I have tried evaporative vests while riding but they seem to hold more heat in than cool

I'm looking into replacing my old Shoei VFX-R with a new VFX-W for it's venting

What do you use?

What are the best vented pants, gloves, helmet, chest protector?
Any cooling vests that work?

Thanks.
Pre-hydrate days in advance. Eat bananas and drink lots of water 1-2 days before you intend to race/ride. Drink water and limit caffeine. Caffeine can lead to or enhance dehydration. Drink tons of water (with minerals - not RO water) or gatorade. The most important gear for keeping cool is your helmet in my opinion. Get a quality helmet, my Shoei VFX-W breathes great. Some of the less expensive ones will breath fine too. the rest of the gear needs to breath - but mainly in the core area. I was always told when running in high school that you could wear shorts in the middle of winter and not catch a cold. But you have to keep your core and head warm. For me, that came true. Same goes for keeping cool. Keep your core and head cool while racing.

When training, I recommend getting your body used to environment - don't get too comfortable to AC. I work out during the heat of the day when possible. I try to go out at the most worst possible time of the day for temp and sun exposure. This gets the body used to the conditions it's going to get exposed to during race day. It's not even unheard of to run with a stocking hat on during the summer. When your body is used to something, it's not a shock to the system.

When at the track, I take my Yamaha 1000 watt genny and use it to run my big ass box fan. I take a big 6 gallon blue jug of water, dump it on my head and cool off in front of the fan. Take a seat, change gear out, cool off, and drink water. But most importantly pre-hydrate days in advance. Don't eat junk food or drink too many soda pops (alcoholic or the non-acoholic kind).
6/25/2012 8:03pm
I just wear shorts and look at the bike all cleaned up until a nice day shows up. Works perfect!
Works great for leisure riders and hobbyists.
Which is 90 percent of this board? Just a guesstimate... Are you a pro privateer trying to make a living? Not trying to be rude it's...
Which is 90 percent of this board? Just a guesstimate...

Are you a pro privateer trying to make a living? Not trying to be rude it's just that people take this hobby insanely serious sometimes when it is in fact not all that different from rc cars or baseball or whatever. YES there is a heart and soul to racing but if you talk to people who are really into other hobbies they talk the same way as we do.

I just picture some lil kid on a 65 who sortof sucks and his dad screaming at him. It's just like... "hey dad. he doesn't have it. just have fun and get him through college."

Smile Shit where I'm at we are like 10 inches behind in rain. I rode about 5 minutes yesterday and said...ehhhh.

Hobbyist as fuck. Apparently. lol Then again I spent about 10 years riding all year round in any condition. I have more laps in than about 75% of the other hobbyists I know. So i'm good with it.
I hear that and it makes perfect sense. I like to ride for fun but I've only ever competed. I'm going to slack off after this year and focus on the kids. My youngest son and oldest daughter want to start racing. After Loretta's it's all them and I'll be wrenching.
6/25/2012 8:05pm
E-man811 wrote:
I need to research everything possible to help me with keeping my core temperature down while riding and between motos. I've heat exhausted myself enough times...
I need to research everything possible to help me with keeping my core temperature down while riding and between motos.
I've heat exhausted myself enough times that my temperature regulation system is just about kaput.

I use a separate ice chest for cold towels.
I take my boots off after every moto and put my feet on bags of ice
Stay in the shade
Wear a vented Jersey
I have tried evaporative vests while riding but they seem to hold more heat in than cool

I'm looking into replacing my old Shoei VFX-R with a new VFX-W for it's venting

What do you use?

What are the best vented pants, gloves, helmet, chest protector?
Any cooling vests that work?

Thanks.
TbonesPop wrote:
Pre-hydrate days in advance. Eat bananas and drink lots of water 1-2 days before you intend to race/ride. Drink water and limit caffeine. Caffeine can lead...
Pre-hydrate days in advance. Eat bananas and drink lots of water 1-2 days before you intend to race/ride. Drink water and limit caffeine. Caffeine can lead to or enhance dehydration. Drink tons of water (with minerals - not RO water) or gatorade. The most important gear for keeping cool is your helmet in my opinion. Get a quality helmet, my Shoei VFX-W breathes great. Some of the less expensive ones will breath fine too. the rest of the gear needs to breath - but mainly in the core area. I was always told when running in high school that you could wear shorts in the middle of winter and not catch a cold. But you have to keep your core and head warm. For me, that came true. Same goes for keeping cool. Keep your core and head cool while racing.

When training, I recommend getting your body used to environment - don't get too comfortable to AC. I work out during the heat of the day when possible. I try to go out at the most worst possible time of the day for temp and sun exposure. This gets the body used to the conditions it's going to get exposed to during race day. It's not even unheard of to run with a stocking hat on during the summer. When your body is used to something, it's not a shock to the system.

When at the track, I take my Yamaha 1000 watt genny and use it to run my big ass box fan. I take a big 6 gallon blue jug of water, dump it on my head and cool off in front of the fan. Take a seat, change gear out, cool off, and drink water. But most importantly pre-hydrate days in advance. Don't eat junk food or drink too many soda pops (alcoholic or the non-acoholic kind).
What he said
E-man811
Posts
275
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
North East, GA, USA
6/25/2012 10:02pm
neverwas wrote:
This helmet flows lots of air over your head.they also make the most durable riding gear available.
http://www.klim.com/en-us/shop/moto/3206-182
Wow. Klim makes some nice stuff. I am going to find a dealer tomorrow and try this helmet on.

Thanks for the heads up on this gear.

Right now I'm between the Shoei VFX-W, new Fox V4 and the Klim F4

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