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3 Tips for Enjoying Summer Rides

2022/8/19 中川大作

"It's so hot..."

With the kind of heat these days that we can't help but complain about several times a day like a mantra, have you all been out riding your bikes?

I recently went on a ride to blow away the hot, muggy feelings by jumping into a river—what we call a "Dobon Ride" (a splash-in ride)!

Daring to leave the air-conditioned indoors during this season to pedal through the superheated air might seem like a masochistic endeavor to those around us, but for us, it's exactly what we want to do.

Why, you ask?

Because you get to have an incredible experience you can only enjoy this time of year!!

This time, I rode along the Nagara River from Mino City toward Gujo, crossed the Taraga Pass, and took a "dobon" dip into the Itadori River.

The moment I conquered the Taraga Pass! My only thought was how badly I wanted to get into that water.

The moment I jumped into the river from the scorching heat of the sun, I experienced that "totonou" (rejuvenated) feeling—like stepping out of a sauna and into a cold water bath. Honestly, I think I'm hooked.

Of course, I wore my BEDROCK sandals to hop in the river.

After that, I stopped by the Monet's Pond located along the river for lunch, and headed home feeling perfectly tired and sleepy from a full belly—it was a truly satisfying ride.

Now, I’d like to share some tips on how to enjoy summer, inspired by that ride!

3 Rules for Enjoying Summer Rides

1. Decide on a cool objective or destination!

It may seem obvious, but the first thing to decide on a ride is your goal or destination. If your only goal is "to ride," it’s easy to end up thinking, "I don't want to ride because it's too hot."

You could say it all depends on your mindset, but having a destination or a reason makes you think, "I want to go there!" Starting with that intent, the fun of reaching your goal, plus enjoying the scenery and the atmosphere along the way—that’s the best part of cycling.

Looking at this time of year, it would be fun to head for a cold river to forget the heat, or ride for summer treats like shaved ice or watermelon! If you want to change it up, try bringing a hammock into the mountains; you can cool down while listening to the birds, insects, and the rustle of leaves—that's a different way to enjoy summer.

While it's smoother to plan your route in advance, I rode by the style of "if I see a nice-looking road, I'll take it," and thanks to that, I encountered some great summer scenery and trails.

I was searching for a cool-looking road and stumbled upon a natural spring.

We ran into a group rafting on the Itadori River. Even just watching them made me feel cooler.

The combination of rice paddies and a single-track rail line has that classic summer feel.

By the way, if you keep heading north along the Nagara River from where I started, there’s an area with various limestone caves like Otaki and Gujo Cave, which would be a great way to escape the heat other than the river.
The temperature inside the caves is around 15°C (59°F), which is quite cool, so I think I'll aim for that on my next ride!

2. Manage your sweat and sun protection!

Managing your sweat is crucial for summer rides. As Yanase-san mentioned in last week’s article, choosing the right base layers and caps that sit directly against your skin is vital. The key is how quickly you can absorb and evaporate sweat; doing so effectively provides a cooling effect through evaporative cooling, and keeps you from feeling sticky, allowing you to focus on your ride.

Also, don't carry your gear on your back. The staff bikes I rode with the other day were equipped with handlebar and frame bags to keep our backs free, which helps prevent heat buildup. It also saves your phone or wallet in your jersey pocket from getting soaked in sweat! Not to mention the accessibility—you can just move your hand from the hoods to grab a snack. For handlebar bags, I recommend Outer Shell.

And everyone, don't forget your sunscreen! We have our recommended sunscreen available for purchase at the shop, too.

3. Be careful of heatstroke.

Preventing heatstroke is, of course, critical. When you ride, the wind dries your sweat, so it might not feel like you're sweating much, but you're actually losing a lot of moisture. No matter how much fun you're having, it's not worth it if you get heatstroke. Make sure you replenish water and salt properly.

It's a good idea to carry two bottles. Keep sports drinks in one and water in the other so you can pour the water over your head to cool down—that's a classic heatstroke prevention tactic you often see in races like the Tour de France.

And for those who want to "bring a cold drink," I recommend the CAMELBAK Everyday Eddy Plus Stainless bottle. As a vacuum-insulated bottle, it keeps things cold or hot for up to 24 hours, and some models even come with a straw so you can sip while you ride.

Everyone rides their own way

Cycling is a free-spirited pastime. If you adjust the way you enjoy your ride to suit the season, I think you'll find yourself finishing it feeling like it was "incredibly fun!!"

If you haven't been on a ride yet this summer, why not try adding a bit of seasonal summer flair to your usual ride?

You can find the course I rode here. I have other recommendations, too, so feel free to reach out if you need help with ride preparation or advice!