Motor School with Quinn Redeker: Cool Tricks

Correct me if I’m wrong, but when we were kids, the heat of the day didn’t matter much. Sure, we knew it was hot, but it changed nothing. Weekend motorcycle races, training runs, two-a-day school sports – we performed and recovered without issue, all in the cozy comfort of 100-degree temperatures. No, I didn’t experience humidity like those of you in the South, but I did grow up in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California, where the record high temperature is 121 degrees, so I’ve got that going for me.

But somewhere along my thrill ride to the danger zone, I took a strange turn and ended up in Leisure Town, where the pace is a bit slower, the roads a bit smoother, and the weather far more agreeable. While I’m still runnin’ down the road trying to loosen my load, these days I’ve got tacos and beer on my mind. And that translates into me tactfully backing out of most riding excursions when temperatures begin hinting at triple digits.

Listen, the sobering truth is that I just can’t push through the heat like I used to. Sure, I still look 17 when I catch random (helmeted) reflections of myself, but that’s essentially where the similarities end. To be honest, I’ve been a bit gloomy about my future self’s potential performance output. Luckily for me, I had a chance to catch up with my friend Suzanne Craven, who really got me rethinking what’s possible.

A long-time childhood friend of my big sister Arianne, Suzanne is someone I’ve known and looked up to since I was 9 years old. A strong, athletic 6-footer, Suzanne has always taken the bull by the horns and gone after what she wants in life. And so, while extremely impressed, I was not surprised to discover that Suzanne has been competing in ultramarathons over the last 11 years. If you are not familiar with ultras, they are trail races that range from “short” distances that are a bit longer than a standard 26.2-mile marathon to grueling endeavors that extend to 100 miles or longer. Suzanne has completed roughly 40 ultras, including a few 100Ks (62.5 miles), nine (!) 100-milers, and even a 200-miler. I’m going to pause right here so you can wrap your head around all that.

While catching up with Suzanne, I asked about her competition process for events that see big temperature spikes. No, I most definitely will not be pounding relentless miles on the running trail like Suzanne does with great regularity, but maybe I can implement a few of her suggestions the next time I feel super dangerous and plan a summer solo ride to visit my CHP buddies for a cone-pattern duel at their EVOC center in blisteringly-hot Bakersfield.

First off, high temps mean sweating, and sweating means the possibility of dehydration and cramping, so Suzanne uses electrolyte mixes. She starts hydrating with them a day or two prior to her ultramarathons and makes a point to carry extra packs on the trail. In extreme cases (read: very hot), she will carry and ingest a salt tablet. She’s old school like that.

What does Suzanne’s battle plan have to do with you? Plenty. Wearing layers of protective gear while sitting atop a hot engine when riding in 100-degree heat means you’ll be losing water and electrolytes like crazy. Heed Suzanne’s pro tip and start hydrating before you hit the road, and continue to drink lots of fluids during your ride, not just at stops.

When the subject of clothing came up, Suzanne explained that she is particular about using heat-mitigation clothing that limits seams or bulky hardware, because that’s where chafing rears its ugly head as the miles grind out. This is where U.S.-based VnM Sport joins the party. Owned and operated by Aliki Karayan, VnM Sport manufactures elite UV-protective baselayers for world-class athletes (and us too) that not only protect your skin from the sun but cool it as well, by generating “air conditioning” when you move around.

While we won’t be going on a field trip to learn about all the science, I can tell you the technology works insanely well on the bike. Another strangely magical characteristic of this baselayer is its ability to dry off 8 times faster than cotton, so I never get “swampy” in it while I’m riding. And if that weren’t enough, it’s constructed in such a way to reduce muscle soreness by employing strategically targeted compression, resulting in less fatigue as I push on to Taco Town. One of the best things about VnM Sport baselayers is that you won’t get irritated with all the seams because they have a seamless silicone gripper on the waistband to eliminate chafing, bunching, or riding up.

Now the last piece of the puzzle is a cooling vest. There are two distinct types we want to have, depending on the riding environment we’re in and the safety equipment we use. If you are road or track riding and wear a heavy jacket or suit and airbag vest over your baselayers, you will want to look for one that circulates cold water inside your riding gear (you fill a built-in pouch with ice water), rather than using an evaporative vest that requires airflow to provide cooling. That way you will remain cool and dry, regardless of all the gear you have on. You’ll need to periodically refresh the ice inside the pouch so the vest maintains its cooling properties.

On the other hand, if you wear a mesh or well-ventilated jacket (especially off-road), an evaporative-style vest is the way to go. This type turns you into a human swamp cooler, whereby water evaporating from the pre-soaked vest creates a cooling effect. These are typically lighter, far less complicated, and work wherever you might find yourself. Trust me, when the heat amplifier hits 11 and the vest starts to “sweat” and do its thing, you will look to the sky and proclaim “Hallelujah!” I’ve had quite a few evaporative vests, and they all do the job just fine, but if you can, look for one that has ventilation ports built in, as these tend to have increased evaporative properties. 

Final thoughts from Suzanne: Keep in mind that the greater the humidity, the slower your body will evaporate sweat, limiting the cooling process, so artificial cooling tools become more crucial. This is where shade, air conditioning, and rest can support you. Most critically, pay attention to danger signs like cramps, nausea, dizziness, headache, mild confusion, and weakness. Life is a marathon not a sprint, so don’t be ashamed to take more frequent breaks.  

For more information on Total Control Training and available clinics, go to the Total Control website. Quinn wears Lee Parks Design gloves exclusively. Find Quinn at Police Motor Training.

See all Motor School with Quinn Redeker articles here.