Essential Summer Cycling Gear

Summer is an ideal time for cycling but before heading for the trail or road it is important to become familiar with essential summer cycling gear. Summer brings warm weather, long days and everything needed for cycling enjoyment. However, if you are not properly prepared, summer cycling can bring unexpected problems. Read on to find out more about essential summer cycling gear.

1. As with all outdoor summer sports, water is essential summer cycling gear. Warm weather and plenty of sunshine combined with a high level of physical output can quickly dehydrate you. Determine how long you ride will be and plan accordingly to bring enough water or sports drink. According to USA Cycling, athletes lose between one and three quarts of liquid each hour through sweat during exercise. Be sure to drink regularly before, during and after your ride to offset your fluid loss from sweat.
2. A helmet is always an essential piece of summer cycling gear. Modern helmets have plenty of vents to keep your head cool, and an aerodynamic shape for performance. Best of all a helmet greatly reduces the risk of concussion or other serious injury if you fall.
3. Wear a bright, comfortable jersey. Find a cycling jersey or other athletic shirt made of moisture wicking materials to help keep you cool. Absolutely avoid cotton, which will just become soaked in sweat and uncomfortable. Many people like cycling jerseys because they have pockets at the small of the back that are very convenient for storage and access. Whatever you choose, make sure it is bright to help increase your visibility to drivers.
4. Cycling shorts will increase your comfort. Cycling shorts are great for a couple of reasons. They are padded to increase comfort and reduce chafing, and they are made of a synthetic material to help keep you cool. They come in both tight lycra and baggy styles. Particularly on long rides, cycling shorts are essential summer cycling gear.
5. Put together a simple first aid kit. You won’t often need a first aid kit, but when you do you will be glad you have it. Your local bike shop should have a small and compact kit with a few essentials, or you can put together your own. Make sure it has some tweezers to clean gravel and debris out of scratches, as well as an antiseptic, a few anti-inflammatory/pain relievers, and some Band-Aids and sterile gauze pads. With this piece of summer cycling gear, a crash doesn’t have to mean the end of your ride.
6. Sunscreen is definitely essential summer cycling gear. In addition to the sun beating down from the sky, it will also reflect off of rocks and road surfaces. There are many sunscreens available now that are non-greasy and sweat-proof. Be sure to put some on all exposed skin before you ride, and take some along if you are going on a longer ride. In addition to being bad for your skin, sunburns will decrease your comfort on the bike.
7. Sunglasses should always be included in your summer cycling gear. You’ve only got one pair of eyes, so be sure to protect them. In addition to protecting your eyes from the sun, they will also keep out dust, bugs, wind and other debris.
8. Gloves are an underrated but essential piece of cycling gear. Cycling gloves will keep your hands comfortable throughout a ride by absorbing a lot of the shock your hands receive through the handlebars. In addition, the tough palms will prevent your hands from getting cut up if you fall.