Posted by Whether it’s your first unicycle or your tenth, riding a one-wheeler is a full-body exercise that will get your blood flowing.
Some even comment you can’t be cool enough, even when riding on cold winter days.
It goes without saying, then, that riding in the heat of high summer will tax your ability to keep cool.
Here are some suggestions on that front.
Drink Up
Dehydration is probably the number one obstacle to riding comfortably in the summer heat.
Not only will you feel terrible if you are dehydrated, sweating strips your body of electrolytes. You will cramp more easily, can develop headaches, and, the more you are dehydrated, the more you will become disoriented.
Moreover, dehydration makes it more difficult for your body to absorb nutrients, too, exacerbating fatigue.
Depending on how much water you are losing through sweat, drink little and drink often. Having a full water bottle and taking a sip every few minutes is better than chugging a whole quart during a rest.
Another good tip is to pack a sports drink packed with electrolytes for your ride. This will help keep you hydrated, and the presence of electrolytes (like sodium) will improve water absorption and retention.
One more tip: if you appreciate cool water, drop a few ice cubes in your bottle before beginning your ride.
Protect Yourself from the Sun
Getting burned is not only uncomfortable, but the presence of sun on skin that is already burned is nearly torturous.
Prepare yourself with sunscreen or sun cream before you begin your ride. This will help keep you cooler by preventing you from getting burned in the first place.
Watch What You Wear
The clothing you wear is nearly as important to keeping you cool in the heat as is the practice of staying hydrated.
You don’t necessarily need to buy a whole new cycling jersey, but any athletic wear with high performance synthetics and wicking fabric will keep you cooler. The presence of cooling vents helps, too.
While not a huge factor, lighter color clothing will help reflect solar energy rather than absorbing it, which can help you keep cooler.
However, the brighter and lighter the color, the more glare it will produce. Be prepared with quality sunglasses, preferably polarized, to prevent you from getting snowblind and keep you more comfortable.
One light, wicking layer may be all you need in the summer. It might seem counterproductive, but you might actually benefit from wearing long sleeves, which will help prevent sunburn, if you are particularly suspect.
One more tip: opt for a helmet with plenty of ventilation to aid in airflow around your head, to help with perspiration evaporation, which will aid in cooling.
Ride Smart (with Respect to the Riding Surface)
If it’s punishingly hot, consider riding on a trail or unpaved surface rather on blacktop.
Not only will blacktop absorb and hold heat, but if it gets extremely hot, tar can become gummy and stick to your tires.
On top of that, if you’re on a trail, you may have the benefit of being under the trees, which will keep you shaded.
Looking for a New Ride?
Looking at getting a new clown bike or a new unicycle like a Club Brand Unicycle?
The place to get it – as well as parts, tools, and unicycle safety gear – is Unicycle.com.
There are also a bunch of helpful tips, tricks, and information in their blog. You can check it all out via the previous links.
If you have any questions, reach out to them directly at 678-494-4962.