Hydration Is Everything in Summer
This cannot be overstated. In warm weather, you can lose well over a litre of fluid per hour, and even slight dehydration will make your legs feel heavy, your head foggy and your ride a whole lot less fun.
- Drink before you're thirsty - by the time you feel thirsty, you're already behind
- Aim for 500ml-750ml per hour as a minimum, more if it's hot or you're working hard
- Add electrolyte tablets or powder to at least one bottle - you lose salts through sweat, and replacing them helps prevent cramp and fatigue
- Two bottle cages are worth fitting for summer - you'll be glad of the extra capacity on longer rides
Sun Protection - Don't Forget It 🌞
Cyclists spend hours exposed to direct sunlight, often without realising how much UV they're absorbing. A few things that make a real difference:
- Apply SPF before every ride - the back of the neck, arms and legs are the most exposed areas
- Cycling-specific sunscreen is worth considering - it's formulated not to run into your eyes when you sweat
- Sunglasses are essential, not just for UV protection but for keeping bugs, dust and glare out of your eyes on fast descents
- A cycling cap under your helmet or a lightweight helmet with good ventilation helps keep your head cool
Timing Your Ride
In the height of summer, the middle of the day can be genuinely brutal - especially on exposed roads with no shade.
- Morning rides are magic, cooler temperatures, quiet roads and beautiful light
- If you're riding in the evening, be aware that the light drops faster than you expect. Take a rear light at minimum
- Try to avoid 11am-3pm on very hot days for long efforts, save the big rides for early starts
Dress for the Heat
Summer cycling kit is genuinely different to what works the rest of the year:
- Lightweight, short sleeve jerseys with good ventilation make a huge difference on warm days
- Bib shorts over regular shorts for longer rides, the chamois and bib straps make extended time in the saddle much more comfortable
- Fingerless gloves keep your hands dry and give you a better feel for the bars
- Light-coloured kit reflects heat better than dark colours, worth thinking about on really hot days
Look After Your Bike Too
Warm weather affects your bike as much as it affects you:
- Tyre pressure : heat expands air, so check pressure before a summer ride, especially if your bike has been sitting in a warm shed or car
- Lubrication : in hot, dry conditions your chain will pick up dust and grit quickly. A dry lube is better suited to summer than a wet lube, and wax lube is even cleaner running
- Brake pads : long summer descents generate heat. Make sure your pads have plenty of life left, especially if you're heading somewhere hilly
Plan for Longer Adventures 🗺️
Summer is the perfect time to be more ambitious with your riding. Longer days mean more hours of usable daylight, and better weather makes multi-hour rides genuinely enjoyable rather than a battle against the elements.
A few things worth thinking about for bigger summer rides:
- Carry more food than you think you need - heat suppresses appetite but your body still needs fuel
- Pack a mini pump and spare tube - dry summer roads can still throw up the odd sharp flint
- Tell someone your route if you're heading out somewhere remote
- Download the route to a GPS device or your phone rather than relying on signal in rural areas
Make the Most of It
British summers are brilliant, but they don't last forever! Whether it's ticking off a sportive, finally riding that route you've been meaning to do, or just getting out more consistently while the evenings are light, this is the season to go for it.
Get out there, enjoy every mile, and make sure your bike is set up for the heat - the rest takes care of itself. 😊
