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www. FavoriteRidesAndDestinations. com | ridermagazine. com

FALL 2016 ISSUE 02 / VOL. 01

On really hot days, boost the power of evaporative cooling with a specialmade vest that can be worn under your riding jacket to keep your core from overheating. When you soak the TechNiche Hyperkewl Cooling Vest in water, its polymer-embedded fabric allows evaporation to occur slowly, over several hours. Instead of soaking the Silver Eagle Outfitters Kula-XD Cooling Vest, you fill it with water like a bladder, and its“ dry evaporative cooling” uses patented Inuteq technology. We’ ve used both with excellent results, though evaporative cooling is more effective in drier climates.

Since the hottest time of day is usually between noon and 5 p. m., if possible, plan to ride during the cooler morning and early evening times. Wake up early, have a light breakfast and a cup of coffee, then hit the road. You can ride for several hours and then take a break for lunch, nap in the shade( that’ s what Clem Salvadori likes to do), catch a matinee in a cool, dark movie theater or do some sightseeing. Early evening rides can be a real treat, but beware that dawn and dusk times often see greater wildlife activity, such as deer crossing the road. Stay cool, but also stay safe.

Go a step further by adding an evaporative cooling neck wrap, like Aerostich’ s Kool Off Tie($ 6). The 100 % cotton neck tie is“ filled with waterabsorbing polymer crystals which can hold 350 – 400 times their weight in water and they release it slowly( over a period of days).” You can also wear a bandana or neck gaiter soaked in water, but they dry out much faster. Neck wraps have the added benefit of protecting your neck from sunburn.