I think you have it pretty much nailed. It's the "relative" part of the "hot weather" issue that generates some apparently conflicting advice. "Hot weather" in the south east part of the country is what I would call very warm temps with high humidity, compared to the south west which is more likely very hot temps with low humidity (my advice is from this perspective). I think the major difference in gear to deal with these two conditions is - higher humidity needs more ventilation and high arid temps need more protection. Cooling vests and wet clothes in general can make hot riding bearable as long as they can evaporate.
We all know about wind chill but many don't know about or don't regularly experience wind burn. It's real, starts about 5 degrees above body temp, and get exponentially worse as temperature and/or speed rise. This is why you must cover your skin, all of it, when riding in high heat. If you have to ride for several hours in high heat (like over 110 F), the advice gets even more counter-intuitive. Close your vents.
Crazy huh? Here's the rationale. Basically it's about stabilizing your body temperature at an acceptable level. It helps if you abandon the notion that you have to stay "cool" on a hot day. You really only have to stay warm, keeping your core temp around 98F. Cruising on a motorcycle is a low-exertion activity, I'm not talking about trail riding. The human body doesn't have to work very hard to maintain its normally warm temp in warm conditions, assuming minimal exertion. So when it's hot outside, you just need to keep your personal space, the space inside your riding suit, warm, not cool.
The reason I suggest closing vents
on long rides,
when it's hot is to slow the evaporation of your wet gear to stabilize your body temp for a longer period. Yes it's warm and can be a little clammy. The body can remain warm for a long time with little stress. It cannot remain hot or cold for very long and not at all without stress. Less stress means you can focus better on the job at hand - riding.
I have the great fortune to ride year-round. The summers here in Las Vegas are long and hot. I wear a cooling vest and a wet neck tube on the homeward commute, which is only about 30 minutes, but most summer days well over 100F and 110F is not uncommon. Contrary to my own advice, my jacket vents are often open because it's more comfortable that way in the morning (without the wet clothes) and I'm too lazy to zip it all up for the 30-minute ride. It's uncomfortable in a bizarre way - my chest is really cold (hard nipples cold) and arms are really hot. My body is confused. But it's only 30 minutes, so I won't succumb to heatstroke and the front of my vest is dry by the time I get home. I would not put up with this for more than 30 minutes. There is no point in getting cold on a hot day and a dry vest is no help.
I would leave you with one universal word of advice -
hydration! You almost can't drink too much water when it's hot and/or humid. Stopping to pee is a good sign. Not sweating means you're in trouble with dehydration and the onset of heatstroke. You can save yourself the aspirin by not getting the headache that comes after dehydration.
lastparrot said:
Realizing that all things are relative. When taking a 6 hour trip, in the middle of July, in the deep south, how do you stay cool? Here is what I am planning. I have purchased the Sand 2 jacket and pants and will be using the ldcomfort long sleeve mock. I will also be using a 70 ounce water bladder to help replenish the sweat. I have Gore-Tex boots and wicking socks as well as underwear. I have purchased both a frogg togg bandana thing and a enduracool neck gater.
Of course I will be making stops every hour or so. I look forward to your feedback.
which I regret buying.