Gear for Spain in September

Comfy Old Boots

Comfy Old Boots

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Howdy,

Just looking for a few opinions. I'm heading to the south of spain (fingers crossed) in early september for two weeks. the mother in law is coming for the first week :pullface so herself and her mum will end up doing their best to get skin cancer by the pool Not my gig, so I have decided to rent a bike for three or four days. I need to bring gear for the bike and I can in fact leave it there for the next time.

I don't have hot weather gear and i'm considering a few things. I have a street guard 1 suit that I could push into service. Am I mad? too hot?

Also thinking of bringing my triumph leather jacket - has lots of vents - and buying a pair of motorcycle jeans with kevlar and armour. Can anyone recomend any jeans in particular? There are threads in here I'll start searching out but no harm asking. Once again, am I mad, will I be tooooo hot?

I'm not really in the mood to buy mesh gear especially for the trip but then again, if I buy once, I'll have it there for future adventures.

Any thoughts lads? thanks. :thumb2
 
whatever you get as an outer layer, invest in some good quality base layers to wick sweat away

if really hot you can also buy a litre of chilled water (or find a church which often have a water trough, but maybe a northern, Camino thing) then pour water over the base layer. The evaporation will cool you.

Personally, when I go to Spain, starting in the northern ports in September, I have options as I have had 43C in Porto and -4C with hail in the Pyrenees. I have 2 Rukka jackets along and swap the back protector between them. A Chariklo with zipped vents and an Airall full mesh jacket. The latter does not take much space in the side box without a back protector.
 
Hi Wessie,

thanks for that. Just to say I have ridden in hot weather before in full rukka gear and i was fine.

Just after reading this by sargent bilko.

I've taught him well on a couple of trips in the US

Mesh jackets are good to certain temps and ideal in the UK but not so good in higher temps in Spain, Italy or the US. Many years ago I got heat exhaustion from riding the TAT in Oklahoma. All day at 40 degrees plus on dirt roads and i was a mess despite drinking what seemed like gallons of water. Blurred vision, severe cramps and very unwell which is not pleasant.

Had a day off the bike and went to see a local pharmacist who was a dirt rider and here is what he told me about very hot weather riding:

When you wake up, drink as much water as you can. By the time you are ready to go, you would have pee'd out any excess and you will be fully hydrated.
Have a very light breakfast with minimum coffee or tea.
Wear a camel back and drink little and often. I fill mine the night before and put it in the fridge/freezer so it melts gradually during the day
Keep your vents done up and do not expose skin to the sun. Your body needs to sweat and having too much airflow will dry it up and you will not cool. This is especially important over 37 degrees C because your body will not cool above that temp.
Eat salty pretzels or crisps and the odd energy drink rather than coffee and cake.


I use this method and tell everyone on my trips to do this and so far all has been good in temps up to 50 degrees C.

I've adapted it slightly to suit me and I always wear a black visor, always have a cap hat to hand when I stop, I have my vents slightly open to allow a little air flow but in the real heat it feels like you are riding through a fan oven!!

I also wear Merino wool technical gear which seems the wrong thing to do but it really works as it retains moisture to keep you cool.

I also carry a spray bottle with water handy so can spray myself with water when I stop. This water gets warm as it's air temp but it's a really good cooling system.


[/B]

Based on this my street guard suit would be just fine. Good advice regarding the base layers. They might be a better use of my euros.
 
Yes, I am aware of the risk from mesh gear but I am not riding for more than 4 or 5 hours after I have got to a base. I am a tourist not an endurance rider. I will find a shady spot during the hottest part of the day. Soaking your base layer will reduce dehydration as you should sweat less.
 
I guess it also depends on what kind of riding you intend to do. Tourist bimbling won't need as much protection as commited canyon carving up to Rhonda for example.
 
Optimistically I’m hoping for canyon carving north of estepona, with lots of photos taken.
 
For the riding you are describing your Triumph jacket should be fine. I have a pair of Bull-It Kevlar and armoured riding jeans that should do you for a trip like this, particularly when matched with a pair of short boots. Don’t buy a specialist base layer, any of your normal t-shirts can be made wet to keep you cool by evaporation. Have a great trip.
 
Zahara De La Frontera

Zahara De La Frontera. And Grazalema as well is worth seeing. Rockred (Ian) will be along soon. :thumb2

Look at the bottom pic and the painter standing on the roof.
 

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I would take a mesh jacket, evaporative cooling vest, a technical base layer and riding jumper and an EDZ windblocker. If I though I would be riding in -4C, I might take a heated vest. Down below jeans and non-Goretex boots. A good layer of boot polish will see them fairly waterproof.
 
wessie said:
whatever you get as an outer layer, invest in some good quality base layers to wick sweat away

if really hot you can also buy a litre of chilled water (or find a church which often have a water trough, but maybe a northern, Camino thing) then pour water over the base layer. The evaporation will cool you.

Personally, when I go to Spain, starting in the northern ports in September, I have options as I have had 43C in Porto and -4C with hail in the Pyrenees. I have 2 Rukka jackets along and swap the back protector between them. A Chariklo with zipped vents and an Airall full mesh jacket. The latter does not take much space in the side box without a back protector.
Click to expand...

Well I live in the Pyrenees and although the temperature can go right down during storms at high altitudes these are very short-lived so i wouldnt bother too much about planning for thes, maybe better to allow time sit the storm out in a nice rural hotel ...

I don't think I've ever particularly noticed water troughs at chrches - so maybe it is a Camino (de Santaiago) thing - but every village will have a 'lavandero' or open air laundry place with plenty of running water and, as everyone has washing machines at hoe these days, even a discrete dip! :)

I also recommend https://www.vivamotorent.com I met the owner, Anton, a few years ago when I was looking for off road hire for rally events that I was organising. He's a cracking guy with perfect English and by the way the company has grown since then he's gotten bigger by being better!
 
Southern Spain in September? I’d go for something between:

FLASHBACK-The-Rocky-Horror-Picture-Show-Premieres-In-North-America-September-26-1975.jpg


And:

5947df769a7af5ab218b4f84


With maybe a touch of:

file-20180416-587-7554t.png


Thrown in.
 
I used to commute in South Australia in temps up to 45 degrees - mesh jacket and jeans and as previously mentioned drink plenty - the worst be was sitting at traffic lights

In the Picos during September a couple of years ago I was fine in a leather jacket and jeans
 
Wapping said:
Southern Spain in September? I’d go for something between:

FLASHBACK-The-Rocky-Horror-Picture-Show-Premieres-In-North-America-September-26-1975.jpg


And:

5947df769a7af5ab218b4f84


With maybe a touch of:

file-20180416-587-7554t.png


Thrown in.
Click to expand...

Listen, what I wear UNDER my bike gear is not up for discussion

I’m leaning towards leather jacket and jeans at this point.

Why boots with no gortex?

As for bike hire, I’ve been put in contact with a small operation, they have a range of bikes and will even deliver the bike to and pick it up from estepona. Must say, I’m quite excited at the thought of it all. I’ll love have destinations on a map and planning routes!
 
Would you mind sharing the name ‘ contact details of the bike hire place, please. It might well be of interest to others, looking for help. Thank you.
 
Wapping said:
Would you mind sharing the name ‘ contact details of the bike hire place, please. It might well be of interest to others, looking for help. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Of course, sorry I should have included that. They could use as much business as they can get after last year. Ron has been really nice to deal with so far and their prices are good.

https://www.motorcycletouringspain.net
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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