Bike Touring and the Danger of Dehydration

If you're touring in Southeast Asia, hydration is a serious issue – drinking copious cups of coffee or bottles of coca-cola at each stop usually ends up in lots of pit stops, but doesn't totally address the dehydration problem. There are a number of drink systems you can carry on your back that allow you to draw on liquid when you need it. In hot weather you lose a lot of fluid when riding in protective gear, and headaches, lethargy and drowsiness are all hallmarks of dehydration. The potential for an accident increases sharply as dehydration sets in.

To a lesser extent the same applies in cold weather – you still lose fluid whenever you are out in high wind, and shivering is actually quite a heavy exercise. If you had a couple of drinks at the pub the night before, then you will start off in deficit, so a few glasses of water before starting is a good idea. Avoid midday alcohol, especially if you're covering long distances – it causes dehydration, loss of reaction time and, of course, is potentially a crime. If it's simply a ride to the pub and back on Sunday, then common sense should prevail – don't spoil a pleasant ride by getting booked or crashing.

On the road, big lunches are out – almost certainly you will be fighting sleep by mid-afternoon, and it can be a sickening feeling as your struggle to keep focused, with the verge and passing vehicles becoming emerging obstacles. Energy bars and fluids are the best food for the 10:00 to 16:00 span – they'll help you last the distance until a counter tea at night. Since I've given up midday feasts, the mid-afternoon snooze has almost disappeared from my motoring challenges. There's always plenty of time for a good feed at night.

It's great spending some time yarning at the fuel stop; however, the fact of the matter is that every minute in of the motorcycle costs you almost 2km on the road. If you are pushing for distance it is critical that stops are effective and efficient. I favor 45 minutes to 1 hour for breakfast and then 10 minutes at each fuel stop. If you must go on into the night, then set aside another 45-minutes stop for relaxation.

Of course, if the 'neck-snapping' starts, pull over immediately and have a rest. I've watched many a snoozing rider, including one aiming at oncoming traffic in the middle of the road. It's not a long-term pastime. You minimize the hazards through proper eating habits, rest and good hydration – it's also worthwhile opening your visor at regular intervals to let stale air out. Many helmet ventilation systems are designed to cool the head via the shell, rather than promoting circulation within the user space.