I’'m here to pick the brains of some of you more experienced trail and endurance riders. (Or anyone with an idea) I’m doing a 30mile LD ride this fall (Camp Far West) and I need ideas for keeping ME cool on the trail. I am carrying plenty of water, have a light long-sleeve sunblock shirt and cool tights.
Do you have any tips or tricks to stay cool?
Thanks!!
Camp Far West is HOT !!! It was my first ride. Bring way more water than you think you will need. My friend and I went through 10 gallons in 3 days at that ride, plus other drinks. Make sure you have human electrolytes as well. Dunk the shirt in any water - it will feel great. You might want to add a bandana to tie around your neck/ over nose ( camp far west was very dusty last time I was there), which should also dunk in water. If you can, freeze a water bottle, so when it melts you will have cool water on the trail. If you have room , carry water to squirt on the horses neck. Sponge/scoop water onto the horse and you. Remember that the heat can mess with your appetite- even if you aren’t hungry , make sure to eat something. Passing out on the side of the trail is not fun. I find that making goals for my eating/drinking really helps ( ie: in the next loop, I will drink 2 bottles of water and eat at least 2 snacks). I remember that there is a small creek close to camp that you cross through a few times in the ride. You might want to take the horse out to it the afternoon before to cool off and take them back after you finish the ride to get the horse cooled off.
I wet my head, then wet my bandana and put it on, then put on my helmet.
Keeps my head cool, but try it at home first. Bring a sponge on a rope and wet your self and your horse. Bring extra bandanas.
I really like the long sleeved nylon shirts, the button up variety with the patch breast pockets. Dunk it in a bucket of water or just pout water over yourself. As the water evaporates out of the fabric it will really cool you off. The bandannas that have the water absorbing crystals in the neck band work really well after you soak them.
Cool Medics have a lot of products that work on the same principle.
http://www.coolmedics.com/ A friend swears by the vest and you’ll see they have a small beanie to put inside of your helmet. Also have products for horses.
If you can ride in a non-leather shoe instead of a boot, something that is mesh fabric, it will help keep you cooler. Hot feet raises your temperature.
Bonnie
Wet T shirt. Cooling towel around your neck. Coolmax vest. Spray bottle with ice water. Cooling "beanie/yamika (probably spelled wrong) under your helmet. Visualize winter. Sorry, didn’t see Chicamuxen1’s post.
I’m from the sticky NE and must say that when we were out in Utah last autumn the dry heat is oddly different.
That said, I am never shy about dunking MY head in a tub of water for the horses. For me, I get a hot head and despite what it does to my 'doo, it goes a long way in making me feel cooler.
Also, find a way to make sure you are replacing your electrolytes along with water. For some, Gatorade works but I am a big fan of Hammer Nutrition Endurolyte capsules. No sugar, easy to glug down with a sip of water and easy on my tummy!
Have a GREAT ride!
Cooling Vest
Hello, I’m new to the site. I found a cooling vest in last summer’s Trail Rider magazine. When dampened it retains the moisture and keeps you cool. This company also makes a neck scarf worn by welders to keep them cool.
These ideas are awesome and will be put to use! Thank you!
Any other tips?
Welcome!! No real additional suggestions except to add that pearl isumi (sp?) bike clothing makes some clothing with inte-r-cool (they spell it weird) technology, I’m not entirely sure how i’m suppose to tell if my skin is 5degrees cooler but I love my jerseys none the less and think they’re great to ride in and as a bonus they have pockets!! :winkgrin:
Also I’ll second Hammer nutrition, and as a word of caution get your pony use to the attack sponge on a leash before you “chase” him/her out of the water:lol:
I have one of the cool medics vests which I like. Another thing I do is freeze water in my sports bottles so I have cold water to drink while out riding. I found another item I like it is called a Frogg Togg chilly pad. Stays very cool for a long time. I often put one around my neck when riding here in the hot humid summers.
I would humbly suggest not eating or drinking anything with caffeine in it the entire time you are there. You may get hot, but you will cool down a lot faster if caffeine is not in your system. I learned that tip from someone on the Coth board who lives in the south. Works great!
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