GEAR Q&A
Q Where can we get the RIDE T-shirts you’ve all started wearing recently?
A The ones that just say ‘Ride’ are actually made by Alpinestars (£22.99, www.alpinestars. com). However, we hope to have a range of our own T-shirts soon. Q Why are bike sat navs so expensive? Are they worth it?
A Unlike car sat navs, designed to sit safely inside cars, bike sat navs are built to be waterproof and vibration-proof – and to be able to withstand being dropped on the floor by clumsy bikers. They need to Bluetooth to headsets and phones, with tough touchscreens that can be seen in the sun. Plus they’re generally built in smaller volumes than car units, so benefit less from economies of scale when it comes to mass production.
Are they worth the big prices? Frankly, not if you’re just going to ask for the fastest route from A to B: smartphones do that plenty well enough these days. But if you want to pre-plan multi-day tours taking convoluted routes on hand-picked roads (or ride the ones RIDE provides) then yes, a decent sat nav can be invaluable. Q I’m going to Portugal in the summer and am worried about the heat. What can I do to mitigate it? A First, stop frequently and drink a lot of water. Dehydration can cause headaches and a loss of concentration. Second, look at your kit. Pack a lightweight waterproof oversuit and wear lightweight, preferably vented, kit. Finally, use water to keep you cool; soak your neck tube each time you stop.