All, As it was my birthday yesterday I had planned a full day out - just me and the 'blade. We gorged ourselves on a banquet of B roads and twisty A roads, and had a thoroughly enjoyable day out. I did however make one major FAIL. I left the house at 9am, and didn't get back until 4pm. The problem was that although I had made sure I kept the 'blade nicely topped up with fuel I was enjoying myself so much I neglected to do the same for me. D'oh! A full day out in the hot weather, fully leathered up, and only one cup of McDonald's tea to quench the thirst all day is asking for trouble! By 7pm I was in bed shaking like a leaf and sweating like I do when the missus is in a designer handbag shop. Today I've got the hangover from hell - even though I didn't touch a drop. Remember, enjoy the ride but keep topping up with water in this weather.
I'm a big believer in hydration I can always tell when I haven't had enough to drink. I hate that feeling of being hot but not sweating properly. I get it when I'm hungover. Waking up absolutely boiling then immediately drinking a massive bottle of water and hey presto within 5 minutes your body's realised that it now has water onboard and turns on the cooling system and you suddenly find yourself with sweat running down your back. I've thought of buying a Camelbak for long rides in the hot weather. That way you can have a drink as you ride.
Hydration is definitely good. Read a report a while ago where dehydration was mentioned as being up there in the causes of accidents. I have an old Camelbak Rocket that I am tempted to start using on long rides, but I'm not the biggest fan of non motorbike backpacks.
I'm sure that's pretty accurate. I can certainly feel my attention wandering when I've started to run dry. I have a theory that being on a motorcycle really draws the water out of you. You're in a constant stream of fast-moving air which greatly aids the evaporation of your sweat. Your body's still warm because you're encased in 3mm cowhide so it pumps out more sweat. You dry out very quickly on a motorbike.
great post mate!! major prob on tour, really need loads of water..... def linked to concentration and accidents from my experience of doing big miles in southern france etc in mega temps, really takes it out of you.
I feel a right plonker for letting it happen. It's all about recognising the signs, and of course scheduling in plenty of stops for both the bike AND you. BoroRich made a great comment with the fact that when you're hot but not sweating you're dehydrating. Lesson learnt for me.
i get headache, and know that i'm drifting off.... its really bad tbh. i drink loads of fluid anyway so hits me quite hard, when away i have a 1ltr bottle of water on me all the time as a min to drink between coffee / drink stops.
Had it heading for Tuscany few years back. Ride for 45 mins then stop for 20 to drink and cool down. I try and carry bottle of water but easy to forget to drink it.
This ^^^ I always make sure I load up with water before I go to sleep. Sometimes it means getting up for a pish in the middle of the night but I fall asleep really easily again so it's not a problem. If you don't get yourself hydrated before you set off on your ride then you're playing catch up all day. I'd rather be riding around all day needing a pee than having my brain all shrivelled up from lack of fluid. Dehydration also affects your blood volume and therefore your blood pressure too.
Your pee is one of the best indicators. If it's anything darker than straw-coloured then you're dehydrated and need to get some fluid.
Mine was like Captain Morgan's rum this morning, and that's after 5 pints of water last night. You really didn't want to know that though, did you?
Also something to bear in mind. Apparently food helps your body to absorb water. Supposedly if you have a banana and wash it down with plenty of water it hydrates your body much better than just necking loads of water.
you also get a large amount of your bodies requirement of h2o from your food!!! so also important.... thats my excuse anyway...
If your wee gets that bad you should think about one of those sporty isotonic drinks. A real one which actually has the minerals and stuff and not one the trendy ones. Also add some salt to the water you are drinking, keep adding small amounts until you can just taste the salt.
To be honest I've got my hangover cure sorted. It works pretty much every time. I used to suffer really bad with them. It has a lot of steps though Wake up Andrews Salts Nurofen Cup of tea Cup of tea Sugary breakfast cereal Scrambled Eggs on toast Fruit juice Shower and brush teeth Bottle of coke Pasta with homemade tomato sauce and parmesan cheese at lunchtime (It's after this that I feel better)
