Summer Adventures: 5 Tips on How to Enjoy the Summer Weather with Electric Bike

Let's not beat around the (now brown and undernourished) bush：Cycling in the summer heat is so exciting and exhilarating, but it also comes with its challenges. Dr Jeffrey Aldous, Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the University of Bedfordshire, warns that "Exercising in the heat can lead to fatigue and at worse illness and injury. Naturally, given this, it can also affect your performance."

Fortunately, electric bikes are an excellent choice for handling such conditions, allowing you to enjoy your ride without overexerting yourself. To help you navigate common pitfalls when riding in hot weather, Hovsco has put together 5 simple tips to keep you safe and comfortable.

Tip 1: UV Protection

While some cyclists are proud of their cycling tan as a badge of honour, others find it embarrassing to look as though you are still wearing a white T-shirt when you take your top off. But laughable tan lines are not the main concern - damaging sunburn and the risk of skin cancer due to excessive ultraviolet light exposure are a problem. Statistics show that every hour, one person in the U.S. dies from skin cancer. Unprotected exposure to UV radiation is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.

Apply sunscreen on the exposed parts of your body: arms, legs, face and in particular the back of your neck. The position on your bike means that the area on the front of your legs above the knee and calves will be exposed to sun more than other areas of your legs.Additionally, wearing sunglasses with UV protection not only shields your eyes from harmful rays and reduces glare, they also help to stop summer insects from getting into your eyes.

Tip 2: Heat Protection

A very obvious way to avoid the severity of the sun's rays is to avoid the hottest periods of the day for your cycling trip. The heat from direct sun radiation peaks in the afternoon, while mornings and evenings are much cooler, reducing the physiological strain on your body during exercise. Aim to ride between 7-10 AM and 5-7 PM. If you choose to ride in the evening, make sure to equip your e-bike with bright lights for visibility in the dark.

We love the internet for its convenience in checking weather updates. You can frequently check forecasts to determine when the hottest part of the day will be. Additionally, selecting shaded, tree-lined routes can provide a cooler riding experience and help you avoid the direct sun.

Tip 3: Dress for the weather

There's really no excuse to be throwing on your usual cotton clothing when its 30 degrees and boiling-in-the-bag. While cotton can absorb sweat effectively, it doesn't dry quickly. Wet, clinging clothes make it impossible to stay comfortable. So, what's the solution?

The market today offers different varieties of air-permeable synthetic materials that prevent the accumulation of sweat. They are lighter, cheaper, more durable, and easier to stretch (more manageable to work with) than cotton. The breeze you get while riding has its own cooling effect, and you may only fully realize how hot it is when you stop riding.

Don't forget gloves! Both fingerless and full-fingered cycling gloves are better than riding without gloves, as sweaty palms can lead to discomfort and aching hands. They will soak up sweat in your hands, allowing you to maintain a firm grip on the handlebars throughout your ride.

Tip 4: Stay Hydrated

It is an excellent healthy practice to stay hydrated throughout the day. However, for summer cycling, you will lose your body hydration in the form of sweat and the effort you put into pedalling. Drink little and often when riding, and make sure that you have plenty of drink with you or know of places on your route where you can obtain more drinks.

For longer rides, i.e., more than four hours, you will lose a lot of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and more through sweat. Using drinks with electrolytes can be a good idea to replace those lost by sweating, which can cause cramping. Packing ice cubes into your bottle before you leave will help keep your drink cool, at least for the first half an hour.

Tip 5: Vehicle Preparation

We seem to have overlooked another key player—your e-bike. Are you sure your e-bike is ready for a safe ride in the scorching summer heat? Choosing the right e-bike is half the battle in ensuring a successful summer adventure. The frame size, seat, and handlebar height must be perfectly matched to you, or else you might experience fatigue, wrist pain, or chronic backache. Make sure your battery has enough range to complete your journey—no one wants to push their bike along a hot road! To fully enjoy your summer ride, ensure your e-bike meets all these criteria.

Pre-ride inspections are also essential. Check for any issues with the brakes, chain, hydraulic systems (or brake cables), battery terminals, and chain tension. If any problems are found, get them fixed immediately.Tire pressure is another crucial factor, as it increases with rising temperatures. To avoid leaks or damage, regularly check your bike's pressure during the ride.

Finally, if your bike has been sitting in the sun for a while, don't jump on the seat right away—you might get burned! Instead, cool it down by pouring some water over it before you ride.

Conclusion

These are the five tips Hovsco offers to enhance your summer e-bike experience. If you’ve already taken these tips to heart and use them during your rides, we say: keep up the great work! We hope everyone can safely enjoy the sunshine and warm summer weather.