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Sunblock is definitely a must for me on long rides. I try to stick to the sports sunblock so its resistant to running/getting sticky and nasty while you're sweating. My facescreen is supposed to block rays, but I still like to have some extra protection just in case.

JC Viper wrote:Time to invest in a mesh jacket?

ya mesh jacket, or something. Since my burn, Ive been wearing a longsleaved heavyweight white Tshirt. I have noticed I am cooler while riding. I also started wearing a pair of Mechanics gloves. The mesh allows my hands to stay comfortable. My grips were getting way too hot after sitting in the sun all day at work.
Anyway, My "POINT" is you gotta protect yourself folks. That sun and the hot temps will act like a blast furnace on you, and you will cook like the Thanksgiving turkey.

I'll add my 2 rupees to this: in addition to sunburn, be aware of dehydration...

Took my first long ride in AZ last weekend - Phoenix to Morenci. Stopped in a town about 80 miles out of Phoenix to gas up and, at the pump, started getting tunnel vision. Fight it. Fill the tank, put the hose back, close up the tank... next thing I know, I'm crouched down next to my bike.

Seriously - I passed out from dehydration. (Wasn't ever a problem in WI or NC.) No idea how long I was out (not long enough for anyone to take notice, apparently). Came to and made a beeline for the gatorade. Tunnel vision again at the coolers. Grabbed a drink, started chugging and went to sit down. 1.5 hours - and 3 gatorades later, I was ready to go again.

Got home and bought a Camelpak backpack. Farkin' lucky I made it to the station...

Moral of the story: even if it doesn't feel hot, it may be so drink up. *goes off looking for the "I'm an idiot" emoticon*

Just read an article in this month's Ride Texas Magazine about UV protection. Clear, smoked or tinted visors...does not matter. All will let in UVB (I think it was) which will give you sunburn and/ or skin cancer... unless they are specifically labeled stating they give UV protection... "UV200" I believe is the wording you are looking for. They tested many diferent brands and only one helmet company's visor blocked the UV rays.... and dang if I can't remember which company it was.
The article also said they tested clothing and the long sleeve heavy cotton tee shirts blocked the harmful UV rays... my mesh jacket works also. I have never gotten sunburn wearing it.

shalihe74 wrote:I'll add my 2 rupees to this: in addition to sunburn, be aware of dehydration...

Took my first long ride in AZ last weekend - Phoenix to Morenci. Stopped in a town about 80 miles out of Phoenix to gas up and, at the pump, started getting tunnel vision. Fight it. Fill the tank, put the hose back, close up the tank... next thing I know, I'm crouched down next to my bike.

Seriously - I passed out from dehydration. (Wasn't ever a problem in WI or NC.) No idea how long I was out (not long enough for anyone to take notice, apparently). Came to and made a beeline for the gatorade. Tunnel vision again at the coolers. Grabbed a drink, started chugging and went to sit down. 1.5 hours - and 3 gatorades later, I was ready to go again.

Got home and bought a Camelpak backpack. Farkin' lucky I made it to the station...

Moral of the story: even if it doesn't feel hot, it may be so drink up. *goes off looking for the "I'm an idiot" emoticon*

WOW !! Thank Goodness you were off the bike and in a good spot to rest and re-hydrate !! We carry water and Ice and Snacks, ( I am Diabetic to boot ) I bet you won't do it again, and Ahem "Welcome to the Desert"
Just curious did you go the long way, or did you take the "Devils Highway"
from Alpine to Morenci ??

shalihe74 wrote:I'll add my 2 rupees to this: in addition to sunburn, be aware of dehydration...

Took my first long ride in AZ last weekend - Phoenix to Morenci. Stopped in a town about 80 miles out of Phoenix to gas up and, at the pump, started getting tunnel vision. Fight it. Fill the tank, put the hose back, close up the tank... next thing I know, I'm crouched down next to my bike.

Seriously - I passed out from dehydration. (Wasn't ever a problem in WI or NC.) No idea how long I was out (not long enough for anyone to take notice, apparently). Came to and made a beeline for the gatorade. Tunnel vision again at the coolers. Grabbed a drink, started chugging and went to sit down. 1.5 hours - and 3 gatorades later, I was ready to go again.

Got home and bought a Camelpak backpack. Farkin' lucky I made it to the station...

Moral of the story: even if it doesn't feel hot, it may be so drink up. *goes off looking for the "I'm an idiot" emoticon*

Next time, more water, less Gatorade.

shalihe74 wrote:
Moral of the story: even if it doesn't feel hot, it may be so drink up. *goes off looking for the "I'm an idiot" emoticon*

In addition to dehydration, heat exhaustion (precursor to heat stroke) is a fairly common problem for AZ bikers. Take a long ride on a 110 degree day with an insulated plastic bucket on your head and you're asking for it. I've had this a few times on long midday rides across the desert. By the time you start to feel dizzy and nauseous, you'd better have got yourself to some shade or you're in trouble. One trick I discovered on long desert rides is to stop every 30 or so miles, fill my helmet with about 3 inches of water and put it on. The evap effect makes a huge difference.

One thing that bikers don't realize in the desert is that 110 measured in the shade translates into 135 to 140 degrees, 3 ft above a heat soaked piece of asphalt. Add a hot motorcycle engine between the legs, and things can get ugly fast.

Last summer on my way to work I had to rescue a guy on a 110 degree day. He was on a sportbike wearing a full leather outfit.helmet and gloves. When I saw him wobble off to the side of the street and just sit there hunched over the bars, I stopped to check him out. He was conscious, but not very coherent. Fortunately, he'd pulled over across the street from a convenience store. I dragged him over there and started pouring Big Gulps of ice and Gatorade down him. When he took off his jacket and pants, his clothes were completely soaked through. It looked like he'd just stepped out of a swimming pool. After about 15 min. in the air conditioned store, his brain started working again. When I left him, I advised him to stay inside until the nausea and lightheadedness were gone, and to bungee his leathers to the seat for the ride home. Wearing a full leather suit for protection doesn't do you any good if your brain is so hot you can't think straight.

Always carry water and stop for a drink every so often. Always carry snacks too. Even in cooler weather you will get dehydrated in AZ.

Tuscon_Dragon wrote: WOW !! Thank Goodness you were off the bike and in a good spot to rest and re-hydrate !! We carry water and Ice and Snacks, ( I am Diabetic to boot ) I bet you won't do it again, and Ahem "Welcome to the Desert"
Just curious did you go the long way, or did you take the "Devils Highway"
from Alpine to Morenci ??

No kidding on the 'thank goodness'. The weirdest thing, for me, was that on the bike I felt perfectly fine. I didn't feel sick or hot (or cold) or anything while riding. I didn't stop because it was an emergency, it was just a routine 'gas and a drink' stop. And then... WHAM.

Lesson learned. Need to hydrate more often in AZ. (Duh!)

Route. I had to stop in Safford for work, so I went that way. I did (deliberately) overshoot the mine (where I was going) by about 10 miles (oops! ), though, so I did get to ride a bit of that route. As soon as I get a more comfortable seat for my bike, I'll be out there again. That little bit was SO much fun... especially the horseshoes right under Morenci.

jonnythan wrote:Next time, more water, less Gatorade.

It was the cooler straight in from the door. First thing I saw... and darn did that sugar-and-electrolyte-infused concoction taste good. Next time, though... Camelpak filled with agua = preventative maintenance.

flynrider wrote:One trick I discovered on long desert rides is to stop every 30 or so miles, fill my helmet with about 3 inches of water and put it on. The evap effect makes a huge difference....

I'll have to try that. Hmmm....

Well, it is now 9:30am and I have done no work at all, so I better think about tackling the evil spreadsheet in front of me....

I got burned on both arms real bad when I first got my bike. I did notice something though. My skin didn't actually blister from the burn, it just so happens that the layer of skin that burned died and when you sweat underneath it, it has nowhere to go except to form sweat pockets under the dead skin not true blisters.