RIDING IN
THE HEAT:
LESS IS MORE, BUT NOT ALWAYS

Hot weather cycling sounds like the easiest kit decision of the year. Short bibs, short jersey, sunglasses — done. And for most rides above 22°C that's essentially right. But the devil is in a few details that many riders get wrong, and on longer summer rides those details start to matter a lot.

WHY A JERSEY IS COOLER THAN BARE SKIN

This surprises a lot of people. Riding shirtless above 28°C seems like it would be the coolest option. In fact, a well-designed lightweight cycling jersey keeps you cooler by actively wicking sweat away from your skin and allowing it to evaporate from the fabric surface. Bare skin in direct sun absorbs more heat from radiation and sweat pools rather than evaporating efficiently. Professional cyclists wear jerseys in 38°C stages for exactly this reason.

LIGHT COLOURS MATTER MORE THAN YOU THINK

The difference in solar heat absorption between a white jersey and a black jersey in direct summer sun is measurable. This isn't a huge effect for short rides but on a 4-hour summer day in the saddle, starting with a light-coloured jersey makes a noticeable difference to how you feel in the final hour.

THE SHORT-SLEEVE BASE LAYER IN SUMMER

A thin mesh base layer under a summer jersey is something many casual cyclists skip but most serious riders use. The mesh creates a tiny air gap between your skin and jersey, improves moisture transport, and prevents the clammy sensation of a soaked jersey sticking to your body on a hot effort. On rides over two hours in the heat, it genuinely improves comfort.

HYDRATION TRUMPS EVERYTHING

Above 25°C your clothing decisions are secondary to hydration strategy. You can lose over a litre of sweat per hour in serious heat. Plain water is fine for efforts under 90 minutes. Beyond that, electrolytes matter — sodium loss through sweat contributes to cramping and fatigue more than most riders realise. Know where your water stops are before you set off.

SUNSCREEN IS KIT

The back of your neck, the back of your hands, the V at your collar, your calves — these are all areas that get sustained direct sun during a ride. Most cyclists underestimate how much they burn in 3+ hours in the saddle, especially at altitude or in spring when UV is higher than temperatures suggest. Factor applying sunscreen into your pre-ride routine the same way you'd check your tyre pressure.

Timing matters more than SPF number

Apply 15–20 minutes before you set off, not as you're walking out the door. Sunscreen needs that window to bind to skin; applied at the start line, the first 20 minutes of riding are essentially unprotected. Use a generous amount — most riders apply about half what's actually needed. A coin-sized blob per limb is the rough guideline.

Reapply on long rides

The single biggest mistake is treating one application as enough for a 4-hour ride. Sweat, sleeve friction, and water bottle splash all degrade the protective layer. The standard recommendation is reapplication every two hours, but cyclists need to be more aggressive — every 90 minutes if you're sweating heavily, and immediately after any deliberate water-over-the-head cooling. Stick formats (the deodorant-style sunscreen sticks) are worth their weight on long rides because they go on over a sweaty face without smearing into your eyes the way creams do.

The spots cyclists miss

The strip of skin between glove cuff and bibshort hem on your forearm — burns fastest because it's at a flat angle to the sun and rarely gets covered. Top of the ears, especially if you wear a low-profile helmet. The back of the knees, on long descents in tucked position. The lips. A peaked cycling cap under the helmet shades the face better than relying on sunscreen alone — it's effectively a constant SPF 50+ for the parts it covers.

WHEN TO START THINKING ABOUT A GILET

Even on hot days, long mountain descents or sudden afternoon storms can make a packable layer useful. A lightweight gilet weighs almost nothing and takes up half a jersey pocket. On rides with significant descents or variable mountain weather, it's worth packing even at 28°C.