Prevent Heat Exhaustion While Cycling
Heat exhaustion while cycling can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions, and keeping your body well hydrated. And protecting yourself from the heat of the sun, will maintain good health and help increase your cycling performance. But what some cyclists don’t realize is that drinking frequently is essential to a good race. Even when thirst is not present, your body still needs fluid replacement, and water as well as the electrolytes in sports drinks will fulfill the need.
Instructions
1. Drink cool water before your race begins. Cyclist should drink at least a full sixteen ounces of water before exercise begins to guard against heat exhaustion. The cool water will lower your body’s temperature before you begin.
2. Carry a few bottles of water or sports drinks with you on your ride. If you carry a pack while riding you can keep the bottles in there, or you can carry them on your bike frame. Most bike shops sell bottle carriers that attach to the metal frame of your bike, just below where you sit. The carriers are safe and convenient for carrying average size bottles of water.
3. Rest frequently and remove yourself from any direct sunlight. Stopping under a bridge, overpass or even a shady tree, will help to cool you down. A few sips of cool water at this time is a good idea. The electrolytes in many sports drinks also provide protection against dehydration, so ingest some of these too.
4. Bring a few gel packs along with you when cycling. You can carry these in your backpack, as well. If you are feeling overheated, place a gel pack on your forehead to help bring down your body temperature.
5. Force yourself to drink frequently, at least every fifteen minutes to make sure that you do not dehydrate. Even if you do not feel like you are thirsty, your body still needs fluids. Keeping your bodies electrolytes in check will make for a more successful ride, and prevent heat exhaustion.
Tags: your body, cool water, sports drinks, body still, body still needs
