How to ride the hot and humid?

[markmack]

Hi...
I'm planning a visit to south Texas and Louisana in a few weeks, Victoria and New Iberia. I need some advice on how to gear up for the hot and humid. I'm planning on wearing the mesh jacket but I think my riding pants will be too hot so I will wear the levis.

Other than keeping hydrated what are some good tips?

What about the occasional thunderstrom? Do you just pull over and wait it out?

Thanks,
Mark

[chuckle]

Howdy Mark. My wife and I ride with a Vanson Vent Max 3 mesh and armored shirt and Scorpion Helmets. This year we switched over to 3/4 helmets and high quality wrap around safety glasses and are leaving the visors open. On longer trips, we wear the mesh over pants and shorts to keep the legs cool but in stop and go traffic those are counter productive since the hot air blowing out the LT's radiator vents can actually make it quite uncomfortable. Keeping hydrated out here is just as important as keeping hydrated in the high desert. And, if you are allergic to wasp stings, make sure you have an eppie pen. We have a monster red wasp down here that will sting you without reason. And, if you give it a reason, like smaking it with your body, you are going to be in trouble real quick, especially on the back roads.

[ironbuttwannabe]

I like protection on my body. I know what road rash feels like for 3 weeks.

I wear light shorts under hard armored pants. Cut off sleeves under hard armored jacket. I'm in love with my HJC Symax II helmet. I keep the visor cracked or wide open if I need more air. The integrated glasses work great along with other sunglasses. I'm not a fan of half face helmets, but they are cooler. I usually have 2 camelbacks while riding.

Put some waterproof sunscreen on your nose. I also put electrical tape on top of my viser to help with the sun. Vented gloves are a must also.

[DaveDragon]

You can call her Hot but if you call her Humid, be ready to duck!http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

[chuckle]

On the T-storm riding part of your question. I don't ride with lightning in the area if I can avoid it. Riding in the rain is not big thing but there is something about being the highest object in the area when the bolts are coming down. Most folks around here consider 30 or 40% probability of rain to be real good riding weather, excluding the Harey riders who don't want to get their chrome all spotty.

[STARFIGHTER]

just shorts under your riding pants prolly cooler than levis...........

[Ted]

If your budget allows, check out the BMW Venting Machine pants - $325 - well worth it for protection and comfort. You can find them at the BMW dealership in Newbury Park.

[sleepwalker]

Check out Under Armour compression 'heat gear'. Pricey but it wicks away moisture from your body. You can also buy non-compression heat gear as well. The heat gear I bought has long pants and a 't' shirt. It is very comfortable.

This all polyester and the like. NO cotton.

[Lonewuff]

Well I live in the thick of it right outside Houston. What I have found that works best is to wear the mesh gear, but where shorts under it and they are actually cooler than blue jeans. Under Armor doesn't work very well in high humidity as it is made to wick away the moisture from our body, but there is no wicking in 80% humidity and that is usually on the low side around here. Drink plenty of fluids cause you are going to be sweating like a pig...a lot!!!

As for the storms, they do happen pretty regular around here, but we usually just ride on. If it gets real bad I may stop and put on my Frogg Toggs, but that is very rare, cause you will dry off as quickly as you got wet. If there is lightning then I set under an overpass and let the cell pass. Wear socks that will move the moisture away from your feet and the air flow type boots are best. Someone already mentioned air flow gloves and that really helps.

When you get in the area or while you are planning your route and need some ideas yell.

[ibbones]

Hi...
I'm planning a visit to south Texas and Louisana in a few weeks, Victoria and New Iberia. Hey, you talking about Victoria, Texas? That's where I am so let me know when you are headed this way.

[DanMartin]

Hey, you talking about Victoria, Texas? That's where I am so let me know when you are headed this way.
Way to go Bones,scare the guy off. After that picture Steve posted of you he'll find some other place to go.

dan

[dwsdad]

I just sweat a lot and hope for a rain shower to cool me off.

[NOGILLS2]

Mark I live outside of New Orleans, and I usually wear a cool mesh shirt under my mesh jacket, and underarmor under my joe rocket pants, boots, and if I am riding long distance I wear knee high compression socks.

Cool mesh is an REI 100% polyester shirt, one that stays warm when dry and cool when wet.

Underarmour is similar material

Compression sock are also called Travel socks, Help stop DVT.

And I also carry a camelback with plenty of water! Every once and awhile I spray myself down with water from the camelback.

HTH Enjoy your trip to our world. I am about 2.5 to 3 hours from New Iberia, you may consider a side trip to Avery Island, home of Tabasco sauce!

[Ted]

If your budget allows, check out the BMW Venting Machine pants - $325 - well worth it for protection and comfort. You can find them at the BMW dealership in Newbury Park.

Update - was at this dealership this morning and they have approximately 5 - 8 Venting Machine Jackets/Pants at 50% off - mostly the larger sizes - if anyone's interested:

BMW Motorcycles of Ventura County

830 Tourmaline Dr
Newbury Park, CA 91320-1205
Phone: (805) 499-3770

[D.Kinsey]

.....fast..... :D

[markmack]

Thanks for all the great info.

After a few days in Victoria I'll be heading to New Iberia with a short stop in Port Arthur. Looks like the most scenic way to New Iberia is on Hwy 82 through Grand Chenier. Any other routing ideas?

I miss the people in the south the most, but the food is a close second!!
Looking forward to some great visits and wonderful food.


If there is lightning then I set under an overpass and let the cell pass. QUOTE]
I remember the most incredable summer afternoon thunderstorms and lighting strikes that would sometimes flood the streets. I'm easliy impressed by weather being from the land where the seasons are fires, earthquakes, riots, and mud slides! :)

[QUOTE=ibbones]Hey, you talking about Victoria, Texas? That's where I am so let me know when you are headed this way.
Yes! Maybe we can get together for a visit.

....you may consider a side trip to Avery Island, home of Tabasco sauce!
Last I remember they did not allow our kind (motorcycles) on the Island. Maybe things have changed.

And, if you are allergic to wasp stings, make sure you have an eppie pen. We have a monster red wasp down here that will sting you without reason. And, if you give it a reason, like smaking it with your body, you are going to be in trouble real quick, especially on the back roads.
OK now you are scaring me. I'm not allergic but I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to wasp stings. :o

.....fast..... :D
But not through Golden Meadow....I had a bad experience with a speed trap in the 80's. :mad:

[JPSpen]

I just wear a cotton t-shirt and shorts under my mesh gear.. Take along plenty of water and if you get hot just douse the t-shirt with some water. Instant air-conditioning for about 15 or 20 minutes. Repeat as necessary..


They also make two different types of cooling vest. The water absorbing/evaporating type and the phase change type.

You could look into those as well. We have the evap types and used them last summer a couple of times. They work ok...

Good Luck. Also youre going to want to watch out for killer bees down there in Texas.

John

[vytec]

I've just started riding here in Texas in our wonderful 100 degree with heat index of 115+. The heat index is the outside temp plus humidity = what it feels like. With that kind of heat you'll sweat alright.

I've been wearing some really light pants from Walmart for the big price of $3.00. Yes $3.00 for some nice cargo pants. They are light weight and they are light color to help reflect the light.

I'll wear a t-shirt and a cool vest under my mesh jacket. The cool vest is the best thing since sliced bread. The only thing that would be really sweet is if I could find an electric version of this vest. Since they have electric coolers, you'd think they could take that technology and put it in a vest.

Evaporative Cooling Vests from TechNiche
http://www.techniche-intl.com/content/blogcategory/5/27/

Just soak in cold water or soak in water and put in fridge overnight. These are nice but will get you a little wet. If you don't mind being wet from water, you'd be wet from sweat anyway. :)

I used mine on a ride the other day and I had on long pants, t-shirt, vest then my mesh jacket and I rode for 4 hours in the heat of the day. No problem. I was really comfortable. The vests really work.

I would stay away from Levis. The heavy jeans really can make you hot. If you don't want to wear the shorts with mesh pants, which are also very nice for the hot rides, I would go with lightweight cargo pants. They are loose and comfortable and since they are long, they keep the sun and radiant heat off your legs.

I've made short runs across town in shorts and boy was that a mistake. Not only can you get a sunburn on your legs, the radiant heat from the engine and road is really hot.

Hope you enjoy the ride here. I'm actually going the other way this coming Sunday. I'm heading from Austin to Chicago. Looking forward to riding in the cool 74 degree weather up there. I sure won't miss the hot 100+ days here in Texas. Texas is a great state to ride in, just wish it were a little cooler in the summer. :)

Have a fun and safe trip. May the wind always be at your back.

[davemoore]

Hi...
I'm planning a visit to south Texas and Louisana in a few weeks, Victoria and New Iberia. I need some advice on how to gear up for the hot and humid. I'm planning on wearing the mesh jacket but I think my riding pants will be too hot so I will wear the levis.

Other than keeping hydrated what are some good tips?

What about the occasional thunderstrom? Do you just pull over and wait it out?

Thanks,
Mark

I have a mesh jacket but also experimenting with a Draggin' Jeans (dot com) mesh Kevlar shirt. No armor, but it's supposed to save your skin in a slide. Over that, a cool vest (water soaking type, $39 from Amazon.com). I'm riding from Texas to Phoenix in August where I expect to see 110+. Plan to also carry a water bladder with a drinking tube. If you don't want to spend $$ on a Camelbak, sporting goods stores have bladder/tube replacement inserts without the fancy nylon pack that you can put in a tank bag. I picked up one for under $10 in 2006.

Wet doesn't bother me. Wet + cold does. I always carry Frogg Toggs on trips.

[LARK]

Thanks for all the great info.

After a few days in Victoria I'll be heading to New Iberia with a short stop in Port Arthur. Looks like the most scenic way to New Iberia is on Hwy 82 through Grand Chenier. Any other routing ideas?

I miss the people in the south the most, but the food is a close second!!
Looking forward to some great visits and wonderful food.

[QUOTE=Lonewuff]
If there is lightning then I set under an overpass and let the cell pass. QUOTE]
I remember the most incredable summer afternoon thunderstorms and lighting strikes that would sometimes flood the streets. I'm easliy impressed by weather being from the land where the seasons are fires, earthquakes, riots, and mud slides! :)


Yes! Maybe we can get together for a visit.


Last I remember they did not allow our kind (motorcycles) on the Island. Maybe things have changed.


OK now you are scaring me. I'm not allergic but I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to wasp stings. :o


But not through Golden Meadow....I had a bad experience with a speed trap in the 80's. :mad:

Highway 82 would be considered the scenic route but beware. It's flanked by marsh on both sides with little or no shoulder to speak of. Many vehicles have struck alligators large and small as well as other local creatures. The insects after sun down are beyond belief! If your going to ride it do so during day light hours only. I stopped riding it a few years back for the reasons stated above. My company doesn't even allow employees to travel 82 after dark in automobiles when moving between shore bases. There are better views of swamp and marsh in Louisiana with a lot less risk. If your going to cross the Sabine river and enter Louisiana at Cameron be sure the ferry is running. When you enter Grand Chenier take a left(don't remember the highway # and head toward Lake Charles). This will bypass all the dangerous parts of the road. Get on I10 and head east. You can exit off at Jennings and take the back roads to New Iberia. Nice riding.

[dufer]

d kinsey: i am from Santa Fe, tex. now living in Simonton, tx. you are so right about driving fast to keep kool. are you a santa fe hi grad person are a newly arrived one. my family moved to arcadia in 1950, we are now accepted as a native member of the community. be kool and safe

dufer

[eljeffe]

Under Armor shirts and shorts -- get the heat gear
Mesh riding gear -- I have the Olympia, but Joe Rocket, Fieldsheer, and others make good quality mesh gear
Camelback hydration system -- 70 oz systems seem to be the best
Gold Bond medicated powder (or Anti-Monkey Butt powder) -- every morning on the fellas and the buttocks makes for a great way to start the day
If the humidity is under 30%, you might consider an evaporative cool vest. Marsee makes one (so does Ride Cool, Joe Rocket, Fieldsheer, etc.). I keep my vest in a 1 gallon ziplock bag, soaked and ready to go.

I never compromise safety for comfort. If your current gear won't allow you to be comfortable when you ride, you need different gear. ATGATT or don't ride. Road rash is never fun.

[Dick]

If the humidity is under 30%, you might consider an evaporative cool vest. Marsee makes one (so does Ride Cool, Joe Rocket, Fieldsheer, etc.). I keep my vest in a 1 gallon ziplock bag, soaked and ready to go.

I never compromise safety for comfort. If your current gear won't allow you to be comfortable when you ride, you need different gear. ATGATT or don't ride. Road rash is never fun.

+1 on the evaporative vests. I've got two, and wouldn't leave home without at least one of 'em these days!!

I wish Woody (gisman) would chime in here about the 'cool shirt' he recently purchased. Talking at World Kkaafffeee Hqtrs the other morning, he described it as a shirt with built/sewn-in capillary tubes that circulate cold water from a 12V dc pump in a bucket (or some type of container) of cold water. Said a small block of ice (better than crushed or cubed) would keep him cool for 3-4 hours, IIRC. A spin-off from the NASCAR gang. Prolly a leetle pricey since it's fairly new on the market for the bike crowd.

[Goddard]

bring plenty of water, stop and soak a towel with cool water place it around your neck, repeat as needed. I traveled from NH out to Glacier NP last year in 90+ degree weather for two weeks, the cool towel did the job for me, along with staying hydrated, good luck.

[gisman]

Forget the vests and t-shirts water dunks etc. . Just got my "Cool Shirt" two weeks ago. Heat " No worries now". The NASCAR Drivers use them. I got mine last week and it works great. They have a piece on the Discovery Channel. Got it shipped in three days. There is a motorcycle model with soft bag that fits into the top case. Get the 12 quart model. Nuff Said.

[gisman]

COOL Shirt Report. I give it a thumbs up. Really takes the cake. I had a bout with heat stroke last year. Didn't want that again. This "Cool Shirt" works. It circulates water from a cooler. Keeps your body core cooled down and every thing else follows. Even with full gear you can stay cool. I freeze blocks of Ice with tupperware half gallon size. Looks like about four hours of cooling out of them. I recharged with a 10 lb bag of ice chips at the Valero stop and it got about two more hours of cool cool riding. The unexpected aspect of the Cool Shirt, I wasn't exhausted from a day of riding. Before in the heat without the Cool Shirt, dunking water in the helmet, down the shirt and everywhere, I was wasted. It is expensive About $400.00 but not that much more than a good cool vest. I have since gotten a Y connector and can hook in the co-pilot. There are many acessories like tear away connectors, y hose, helmet hood cooling, temperature controls etc. but seems to work in Texas heat at full blast no controls needed in my opinion. I use the DC acessory plug on the rear seat and drilled a hole in the top case behind the rear seat to run the insulated tubes.

Here is the URL.

http://www.coolshirt.net is the URL.

[davemoore]

I just rode to Phoenix from San Antonio via the White Mountains in Arizona (avoiding the desert between El Paso and Phoenix). I wore a cool vest under an Olympia mesh jacket and kept it wet from Fort Stocton to Socooro, NM (mid 90's, quite comfortable). I stayed the night in Socorro. Yesterday, I crossed the Continental Divide at Pie Town, NM, and rode into Phoenix on Highway 60 through Springerville and Globe/Miami. At the last gas stop in Globe, it was starting to be warmish, so I soaked down the vest. I dropped elevation over the next few miles to Superior, which is at the edge of the Phoenix Valley. The next 50 miles into central Phoenix was quite miserable. The vest had no cooling benefit soon after Superior. I kept sucking water and made it to my son's house. And it was only in the low 100's. Hate to try it when it's 117 here. Anxious to get back to Texas where it's cool!

[grifscoots]

Anxious to get back to Texas where it's cool!Dayem right! I only saw a brisk and refreshing 104 on the ride home this afternoon.

[PiePrincess]

I say no shirt with a cool slice of PIE!! That always helps me.

[grifscoots]

I say no shirt with a cool slice of PIE!! That always helps me.I'd prolly lean to healing up from that last leetle bit of road rash before venturing out shirtless:D

[PiePrincess]

I'd prolly lean to healing up from that last leetle bit of road rash before venturing out shirtless:D

All healed up and ready to roll (er, uh, is that a bad choice of words???) :rolleyes:

[McRuss]

Under Armor shirts and shorts -- get the heat gear
Mesh riding gear -- I have the Olympia, but Joe Rocket, Fieldsheer, and others make good quality mesh gear
Camelback hydration system -- 70 oz systems seem to be the best
Gold Bond medicated powder (or Anti-Monkey Butt powder) -- every morning on the fellas and the buttocks makes for a great way to start the day
If the humidity is under 30%, you might consider an evaporative cool vest. Marsee makes one (so does Ride Cool, Joe Rocket, Fieldsheer, etc.). I keep my vest in a 1 gallon ziplock bag, soaked and ready to go.

I never compromise safety for comfort. If your current gear won't allow you to be comfortable when you ride, you need different gear. ATGATT or don't ride. Road rash is never fun.

I vote with Eljeffe, almost the exact stuff but Aerostich pants over UA shorts. Love that Gold Bond, no heat rash. Cool vests dont get it in high humitity but I wear mine in 50% or so and it helps (wont dry out as fast in higher humids.) ATGATT or die (or wish you had).