Trail riding has no clock. You can ride and ride so long as gas fuels your dirt bike.
Meanwhile, you sweat, even in cool temperatures, totally oblivious to your thirst, and without your own fuel reserves, expect to crash (quite possibly in more ways than one) long before your bike ever gives out.
Taking your dirt bike to the trails, even for a casual outing, exerts energy and with all the protective gear (you should be wearing) sweat happens and sometimes a lot. Don't think you can go for an hour long ride and return for water without risk. Time easily slips away and besides do you really want to watch the clock instead of venturing out without a care in the world? Additionally, an hour or so is more than enough time for dehydration to occur, especially in hot weather, and you risk the chance of getting lost anytime you journey into the great wide open.
As with any sport or hobby that involves exercise you need to stay hydrated. It keeps energy levels up, prevents cramping, maintains homeostasis and obviously avoids serious harm to your health. Proper hydration means more than consuming a quart of water before heading out. It certainly helps but mostly you can expect to urinate a lot in the following hours. Ideally, you want to replenish your fluid stores as you lose it.
Most of the dirt bike riders at MotoSport hit the trails or other off-road adventures at least once a month so we checked in with them to see how they keep hydrated and get back to work Monday refreshed.
1. Hydration Pack
If you don't do anything else carry a hydration pack. It's a must-have for GNCC, WORCS and other off-road races so when you ride trails wherever it may be, wear a hydration pack. We sell plenty and most slip on like a backpack, fit comfortably and range in size and features from solely a water bladder to an all-encompassing travel pack for carrying additional tools and food.
2. Water Bottle
If you forego the hydration pack, a water bottle is your second best choice but ideally you need a backpack so you might as well get a hydration pack. So you already have a backpack and don't want to buy the hydration pack. We get it. Make room for a water bottle in your backpack, then. The plastic grocery store water bottle probably not the best choice as it can rupture so grab a stainless steel container. The ones today keep beverages cold for hours.
3. Eat Fruit
Fruit, especially citrus fruit, contains a lot of water which helps to rehydrate you. Bring along fruit for lunch or when taking a break. Not only does it provide energy, fruit and other food also help slow the absorption of water so you retain more of it rather than peeing it out 30 minutes later.
Yes, a canteen filled with water works to keep you hydrated
4. Hydrate Early
It helps to start hydrating early, just like in Motocross, in the days leading up to your big outing. If plans include an off-road race then by all means start drinking water a few days prior and maintain light yellow-colored urine as evidence of proper hydration. However, if you expect a routine trail ride with friends, of course maintain your hydration as you would normally but don't worry about consuming excess water unless the weather calls for hot temperatures.
5. Pedialyte
Water works best but for hot days when you can't seem to get hydrated no matter how much water you drink, Pedialyte offers a good choice to get your electrolytes balanced without all the sugar regular sports drinks contain. We also recommend a hydration fuel blend from Ryno Power.
6. Cooling Gear
Proper hydration helps regulate your body temperature. But you can help by taking measures to keep cool. One way to stay cool under all that protective gear? Wear more gear! Sounds counterintuitive but cooling gear helps keep your body cool allowing you to sweat less.
Cooling off helps keep you hydrated
7. Keep Cool
Go for a swim! Take your gear off. Soak a towel in water and wrap around your head. Do something to help cool your body temperature which helps with sweat loss. Riding in hot weather can quickly overwhelm even if you drink plenty of water. Riding gear can prevent you from adequately cooling off, therefore remove it, and if necessary, find the nearest watering hole or use some of your drinking water to get cooled off to prevent the risk of heat stroke.
Think of dirt bike trail riding like going for a hike or enjoying nature for a few hours. You didn't set out unprepared and brought, at the very least, some water and probably not so much for emergencies but to keep you hydrated, comfortable and extend your day. Just as you dress for the crash when riding dirt bikes, prepare for anything to happen when on the trails.
