This newsletter might be a little late for our current heatwave. But since it looks like climate change is here to stay, make sure you save it for the next one! 😭 Unfortunately adaptation is our only way out of this mess, so here are some hot weather adaptations to make sure that you cycle safely and don’t overheat.
These are not in any particular order of rank, I just numbered them for fun.
Turns out my favourite tip for preventing punctures is also good for hot cycling. Going at a slower pace means less exertion on your little legs and heart. Go easy on your body in hot weather - moving slowly and deliberately is the best way to get to your destination cool, calm, and collected.
Related to number 1 - not everyone is a slow poke like me. If you don’t want to ride slower then ride in an easier gear. This spreads the load of your exertion across many strokes, not just the one. Riding in a hard gear also wears out your components faster, so there’s that as well.
Keep a big ol’ water bottle with you at all times, add a pinch of salt for some DIY electrolytes (and some sugar and squeeze of lemon for some carbs and flavour, maybe some mint if you’re fancy...oooh and maybe some cucumber…) If you’re going to be out for a while, carry some electrolyte tablets. These also happen to be good for preventing hangover headaches (take one with a big glass of water before you go to bed).
This is the hottest time of day; try to ride earlier or later in the day if you can.
Not just for dodgy dealings, shady lanes and backstreets can provide a pleasant way to get around town. Yes, it takes longer, esp if you add in the aforementioned ‘Ride Slower’ but your body will thank you for it! You’ll also be avoiding the heat from cars and buses on multiple lane congested roads.
Yet another puncture prevention tip that’s also good for getting around town in hot weather. Keeping tyres pumped up to their proper pressure means there’s less tyre touching the road - this means less friction and an easier time on your poor legs. I wrote about tyre pressure here.
I’m not a fan of lycra, although I do wear bib shorts on long rides. I prefer a nice loose silk shirt. Linen is also great as it dries really quickly.
The minute you’re done riding, once you get home get all those sweaty clothes off! Let your downstairs bits breathe, but do be considerate of other household members that may be surprised by your new fashion. Squat in front of a fan, as a treat.
Hats, caps, sunglasses - and don’t forget the SPF. A non-nano physical sunblock is my preferred choice. This French stuff is the best, been using it for years. Chemical sunscreens (octocrylene, avobenzone, homosalate etc) are bad news bears.
Also, please make sure you watch this fancy helmet visor video with the sound on. Please. It’s essential to the experience.
When I lived in Japan I noticed a little towel around a lot of people’s necks in the summer. It’s an onsen ‘modesty’ towel (used to hide your shame in the public bath - go figure), dipped in cold water and wrung out. Then twisted a bit and tied around your neck like a kerchief. It looks snazzy and acts as a coolant as well as a device to mop up sweat. The internet seems to say that Japanese people use a tenugui cloth (a rectangular piece of cotton) to do this, but I honestly only ever saw people using terry onsen towels. Maybe that was just my prefecture (Mie-ken, if you’re curious.)
Do you have any other tips for cycling in hot weather? (Besides not doing it at all ;p)
Stay cool folks!
I have been taking a break from the news cycle as I feel like my brain has cracked in two. But I am aware that the Palestine Action political prisoners have been re-arrested, imprisoned and awaiting re-trial - this time on new terrorism charges.
I don’t think I can stress how serious this case is for our civil liberties. You know that poem, “First They Came...”?
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a CommunistThen they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a SocialistThen they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionistThen they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a JewThen they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me- German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller
You could update that poem for today with :
First they came for Extinction Rebellion...
Then they came for Palestine Action...
The government has found another way to put them in jail and they await yet another trial. Defend Our Juries have a campaign:
“Four UK Palestine Actionists are to be sentenced with a “terrorist connection” despite never being charged with, or convicted of, any terrorism offence. The four had taken action to dismantle weapons of genocide at an Israeli factory on UK soil.
“The facts around this sentencing were hidden from the jury throughout the trial, meaning jurors had no idea that these young people would face terrorism sentences if found guilty on criminal damage charges. The judge had also issued a press banning order to hide this from the public.
“This would be the first time in modern British history that people have been sentenced as terrorists for damage to property.
“As a response to this clear injustice, Defend Our Juries has launched a new campaign stream: Saving Lives Is Not Terrorism.
“Join us at 1pm on Friday June 12th outside Woolwich Crown Court to oppose the use of “terrorist connection” sentencing for protestors.”
Please, please share this campaign. There’s basically no news coverage about this case, thanks to Trump and the capture of Labour and mainstream news media by the Israeli lobby. I mean, even this case is a distraction from what’s happening in Palestine and Lebanon right now.
I can’t go to these protests as I would be deported if arrested (I’m not a UK citizen), but if you have the time and legality our common future will thank you.
Take it easy friends.
Ride on,
Jenni x
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