WE RIDE THE SUN
That very first moment when you can ride with short sleeves again. The spring sun on your face, a soft wind on your skin, and nature that dons its new and fresh green dress; it's hard to beat that feeling. Most cyclists prefer to ride in this kind of weather, and the spring and summer months are therefore the months in which the most kilometers on the bike are clocked. However, spring and summer, can be very unpredictable.
THE CHALLENGE
While temperatures are generally higher, in many countries those early spring days can see quickly changing weather. One day shorts and a short-sleeved shirt are enough, the next day or sometimes even the same day, the weather calls for a windbreaker and a pair of arm or leg warmers. But when you choose the right items and your cycling clothing wardrobe consists of a number of good basic products, you will be able to handle any type of weather and fully enjoy the changeable summer months.
In the winter months, it's all about layering. How do you ensure that you do not get cold, but also not too hot when you pile on the power. In the summer period, the challenge is less in layers, but in choosing the right products and fabrics. Unexpected rain showers, or very warm days with peaks of 30 degrees or more, that's the tricky bit.
THE SOLUTIONS
Our secret? The solution? Opt for good products made from consciously selected fabrics and materials that match the season. In our summer collections, we work with smart fabrics, such as Merino wool. Merino is very breathable, keeps you cool on hot days and warm on cool days. And on those sweaty days, you'll be happy that it does not smell at all.
Besides the right fabric, packable items are definitely a must for your summer wardrobe. Think of a windstopper and arm and leg warmers that are light and very compact. You simply store them in your back pocket and take them out when the weather asks for it. Speaking of storage: In the summer a (waterproof) frame or handlebar bag is not an unnecessary luxury. You can safely and easily put a rain jacket in it, your phone, and an extra snack. These are just a few examples.
In collaboration with the staff and riders of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, we are continuously looking for the best techniques and materials. Last year we further refined and optimized the Team Visma | Lease a Bike summer kit to perform at its best even on the hottest days. After extensive testing by the pros, we implement the feedback with improvements in our collections so that you can also perform optimally and enjoy yourself all year round.
We have listed some additional summer tips for you below to help you get on the road as best as possible.
TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE & AGU
TIPS FOR CYCLING IN THE SUN
TIP 1: WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHING
The right clothing is just as important in summer as it is in winter. Where winter calls for layers, summer calls for smart fabrics and materials that respond to the vicissitudes of summer. With specific summer fabrics, think of Merino wool because of its very good breathability, a Smart Temp coating that ensures that sweat is wicked away easily to quickly evaporate, which provides cooling on hot days. Or, for example, polyester Interlock material, which is breathable and quick-drying, so that your body can regulate the temperature well. Our designers have consciously thought about every fabric so that you can ride through the summer as comfortably as possible.
TIP 2: RESPOND TO THE WEATHER
Nothing is as changeable as the weather. In the summer mornings can still be quite cold. And when the sun comes out later in the day, it can suddenly get very hot. Good arm and leg warmers are a must for those moments. But unexpected rain showers are also part of the summer months. It's always advisable to take a light and packable rain jacket with you. You never know for sure, but better to be prepared than to end up wet and cold.
TIP 3: GET GOOD BIKE GLASSES
It may sound strange, but you don't only wear cycling glasses when the sun is shining. Whether it's the daily ride to the office, a bike ride at the weekend, or a cycling holiday: good cycling glasses are one of the first things every cyclist should buy. With tinted cycling glasses, your eyes relax and at the same time they are protected against dangerous UV radiation. Important: before you buy glasses, check whether the model also offers UV protection. Optimal UV protection is provided by glasses that completely filter the light down to a wavelength of 400 nanometers - which is the case with all AGU cycling glasses. That is why AGU is also an eyewear partner of Team Visma | Lease a Bike. Read more here.
TIP 4: BRING A HANDLEBAR BAG OR FRAME BAG
A back pocket is not always enough to carry those extra things that we discussed in tip #2. For those extra items during those changeable days, or simply long training rides we developed really smart handlebar bags with Wout van Aert and Robert Gesink themselves, that deliver that little bit of extra pack volume. Or if you go on even longer rides or adventures, a frame bag can offer a solution. Easy to put on your bike and you will never run out of space for those extra things.
TIP 5: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN
You've just come out of winter, and the brightness of the sun can sometimes take you by surprise. A lot of our spring-summer products have UV protection integrated into the fabric. Functional, but of course, that protection only applies to the parts of your body covered by your kit. A regular ride will take you out for a couple of hours, so it's really important, not to underestimate the power of the sun, especially in summer. Therefore, always apply good sunscreen to your body and face.
TIP 6: DRINK ENOUGH
An easy thing to do, but often forgotten. While cycling you quickly lose liters of sweat. Sweating is your body's cooling system. However, this does mean that the moisture loss must be supplemented. Take at least 2 water bottles with you. One with water and one with an isotonic sports drink to compensate for the loss of salts (which leave your body with sweat).
TIP 7: DO NOT FORGET TO EAT
When it's hot you are often more thirsty than hungry, but you do burn quite a few calories along the way. Your body needs to work hard to keep itself cool. So it's important to keep your energy supplies up so you don't run into the man with the hammer. So eat/snack on time!
TECHNOLOGY FROM THE PROS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE
Working together with the staff and riders of Team Visma | Lease a Bike is essential for our clothing research and development. Last year we further refined and optimized the TJV summer kit to provide maximum performance even on the warmest days. The riders provide our designers with continuous feedback. Feedback that we use to further refine the materials and processes to make our clothing even more waterproof and windproof, insulating, lighter and more aerodynamic. After extensive testing by the pros, we implement those improvements in our collections. This way you can also perform optimally and enjoy yourself, no matter how cold it is.