Rapha's Guide to Hot Weather Riding - Women's
Long days and easy miles, warm weather and broad smiles, riding your bike is a pure pleasure in the summer months. To help you make the most of the best season for cycling, we put together a hot weather riding guide – complete with hints and tips from the pros on staying cool.
Don't forget these details...
Always opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics to promote airflow, and stay away from heat-absorbing dark colours where possible.
A base layer can move moisture away from your body faster, helping you stay cool in all but the hottest conditions.
With hot weather rides often starting early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day, it’s important to prepare ahead of time including pre-hydrating the night before with electrolytes and extra water consumption.
Critical for everything from performance to temperature regulation, proper hydration is perhaps the most important principle in your fight to stay cool. Carrying an extra bidon with ice will help you stay fresh and mean you have spare water to dump over your head.
Lightweight & Bright
From the superlight Explore Technical T-shirt to our race-ready Pro Team Lightweight Jerseys, all of our summer jerseys and t-shirts are made with lightweight, breathable fabrics that wick sweat away from the skin to regulate body temperature when the heat is on.
“For extreme heat, the Pro Team Lightweight Jersey makes a huge difference. You can definitely feel the air moving through it better than any other jersey.” - KEEGAN SWENSON, MTB & GRAVEL PRO
Lightweight Tops
Build from the Base
The argument still rages on whether a base layer can keep you cool, but on all but the hottest of days, we recommend wearing one. For a streamlined fit, go sleeveless. For more coverage, opt for a short-sleeved base layer and pair with arm screens for extra coverage.
“A base layer is my key to a successful day riding in the heat and humidity of Thailand. By wicking sweat away from my body, it keeps me cool all day long.” - MUZCALI, RAPHA AMBASSADOR
Summer Base Layer
A breathable and versatile merino mesh base layer for year-round use in variable conditions.
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A lightweight, breathable and sweat-wicking base layer for hot conditions.
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Lightweight arm screens designed to protect your arms during sunny rides, or to keep the chill off on descents in the summer.
Buy NowShield Your Eyes
Bright sun casts deep shadows. The contrast-enhancing lens technology in our range of eyewear adapts rapidly to changes in light conditions, allowing you to ride with confidence through bright sunlight to dark mountain tunnels and everything in between.
"Heat reduction is the name of the game, when I'm riding I try to leave before the peak heat of the day, I drink an extra bottle of water and everything I drink has more salt/electrolytes. When I'm racing I pre-hydrate the night before like a crazy person, salt, electrolytes and plan for extra water consumption." - SARAH STURM, MTB & GRAVEL PRO
Eyewear
Stay Hydrated
Besides overheating, the other consideration on summer rides is staying well hydrated. Rapha bidons are available in two sizes and feature a leak-free, easy-to-use cap for quick access when taking a drink.
“If it’s getting hot during a race, I try to keep myself cool with cold water and plenty of electrolytes. Pouring cold water over myself and keeping ice down my back tends to keep me cool enough no matter how hot it gets.” - NEILSON POWLESS, EF EDUCATION–EASYPOST
