5 Tips to Enhance Your Experience of Cycling This Summer

1.  Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Summers are becoming increasingly hot. Even small activities, like climbing stairs, during this time can get us all sweaty. The same is with cycling.
   
   Cycling is a strenuous activity that makes us lose a lot of water, especially in the sun. Therefore, it is really important for you to be hydrated. Significant water loss can have consequences. If you are planning on cycling this summer, make sure you are fully stocked on water bottles. Continually take smaller sips of water. Don't wait to get all dried up and thirsty to stop and take a sip. You can also add some electrolytes to your water to keep your sodium level balanced.
   
   Helpful Hack: You can freeze your water before going out for cycling. This way, you will have a cool water supply for quick sips for a long time. Normal water will get  warm quickly.
   
   
2. Weather-appropriate attire
   
   As a cyclist, we know you have invested a lot in cycles, but that is not enough for summers. Wearing clothes during cycling is also an important fact that can impact your cycling experience. Therefore, it is advisable to invest a bit in your cycling clothes as well. Cycling outside in the summer obviously makes you sweat, so you need clothes that can absorb sweat and evaporate it. Otherwise, you will be cycling in patches of, dripping through your body.
   
   Clothes that absorb sweat and dry up easily will help you cycle in comfort. The ideal clothes for cycling have mesh panels and full-length zippers for proper ventilation. There are many companies that provide super light clothing lines that can provide proper cooling as well as UVF protection.
   
   You can also protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation with proper sunglasses.
   
   
3. Put on sunscreen.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   You should have a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV and UVB radiation, but your rest of the body also needs its own form of protection. UVA and UVB radiation are really harmful to your skin. Longer exposure to the sun without any protection can cause faster skin ageing and is also a potential skin cancer risk factor. However, you can minimise the sun damage to your skin by slathering a good amount of sunscreen on your body.
   
   Invest in some good sunscreen. You can also consult your local dermatologist to advice on the best sunscreen for your skin. If you are going to be out cycling for a long time, carry the tube with you as sunscreen needs to be reapplied every now and then.
   
   
4. Avoid being exposed to excessive heat during the day.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   You should avoid the hottest times of the day to cycle, which is usually between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you want a pleasant cycling experience, try cycling early in the morning or late in the evening.
   
   
5. Plan your route.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Another smart thing to do is to plan your route before you go. You can plan your route in such a way that you avoid a lot of steep slopes and are on a path with a lot of shade. Your route should also have a few convenient places to take a break in case you need it to hydrate or take a couple of breaths. In case of an emergency, you should always carry a phone in case you need someone to call for a ride home, and also carry some cash in case you need to take a bus or other public vehicle. Cycling during the summer can be a pleasant activity. You can make a couple of stops on your long route and enjoy some cold mango juice or sugarcane juice. These can enhance your experience.
   
   

The last but not the least, important step in cycling is the recovery time. Recovery is a very critical step in cycling, especially if you are riding long miles in the scorching heat of the summer. You should have something prepared to replenish your energy with carbohydrates and protein after a long ride on a cycle. You should also keep an active eye on your hydration following cycling. Keep yourself hydrated even after your ride to get your recovery process going. Cycling is a beloved activity among many children as well as adults. And it can be a pleasant activity if the above tips are followed.

Summer is the best time to be out there cycling, so with the above tips in your pocket, go out, have fun, be safe and have a happy summer.