Dressing for Summer
Aaaahhhh, summer! The most glorious of cycling seasons. Daylight lasts from the early morning until well after nine o'clock. Racing is well underway, vacations are scheduled, tours criss-cross the countryside and every cyclist is the envy of the hapless car commuters stuck in traffic on a beautiful 85-degree day. Yes, bikes were pretty much made to be ridden during the summer, or, I guess, by those lucky southern residents who rarely see weather colder than a mild spring.
But summer riding presents its own set of hazards. Heat can be brutal. Hours of riding in direct sunlight can cause severe sunburn and heatstroke. But the effects of heat can be minimized by careful apparel selection. When temperatures rise, riders naturally take a "less is more" approach to dressing for the weather. When only wearing 3-4 pieces of clothing on a 3-4 hour ride, those clothes better be carefully chosen.
Base Layers
Often the first item bypassed when preparing for a ride in the summer heat. Base layers actually serve a very important role in regulating body temperature in the hot weather as well as cold. Ultimately, base layers are insulation. They contribute to keeping your body's core temperature within a reasonable range. When it's cold out, they'll warm you up. When it's hot, base layers will slightly inhibit the evaporation of sweat creating a cool barrier between the heat of the day and your body. Summer base layers are thinner than their winter counterparts and often utilize thin vented areas. Sleeveless base layers are especially useful in summer.
The Ironclad Short Sleeve 1ST Layer is an ideal base layer for your summer kit. Specially designed fabric pulls moisture from your skin, while retaining it long enough to form an insulating barrier against the sun. Bellwether Baselayers come in a variety of cuts to provide comfortable riding for every season.
Base layers also help protect your body from harmful ultra-violet rays. Most cycling jerseys are not sufficient protection against the sun's damaging rays, leading to the curious phenomenon of the under-the-shirt sunburn. Two thin layers of protection is usually enough to stifle the damage.
Jerseys
Keep it light. Paired with a base layer, your summer jersey should be as light weight as possible. The base layer will regulate core temperature, the jersey just needs to breathe. 
Capoforma 2008 CSS M1 Jersey features lightweight fabric and a full zipper, maximum ventilation.
Assos SS.13 Mens Jersey provides a lightweight jersey with a blend of fabrics and space age design.
Bibs/Shorts
Bibs are the choice for most any competitive cyclist. Over-the-shoulder straps are much more comfortable on long rides than waistbands, which tend to ride up or down and chafe when wet with sweat. Bibs are generally utilize a slightly thicker fabric than lightweight jerseys, and usually do a fine job keeping out the sun and regulating temperature.
In addition to their fabric, horts are often described in terms of "panels." The number of panels is essentially the number of pieces of fabric sewn together to create the garment. Shorts made of more panels generally fit the contours of the body better and are therefore more comfortable. The number of panels does not necessarily guarantee the best fit, however, and advanced fabrics with elasticity are sometimes used in place of extra panels. High end shorts usually employ advanced fabrics and careful craftsmanship to create the most comfortable short possible.
Assos FI.Mille S5 Bib Short are ultra-light shorts utilizing advanced ventilating fabrics and a very confortable chamois.
Capoforma 2008 CSS M1 Bib Short is designed for maximum comfort on long rides. Pearl Izumi Mens Attack Bib Short is a great choice for racers on a budget.
Hats
You'll notice pro riders use hats all year long. A good way to keep cool is to keep a wet hat on. It will also create a bit of protection from the sun. The Apis World Champion Cycling Cap will keep you looking pro all year long.
Shoes/Socks
Most road shoes provide great ventilation. The Sidi Genius 6.6 Carbon Caliper Buckle keep the feet of the world's fastest riders cool and well supported. Sidi Genius 5 Road Shoe delivers Sidi comfort and quality to racers on a budget. Remember that black shoes really soak up the heat in summer. Their white or silver counterparts will go a long ways in keeping your feet cool.
Socks should be light. Capoforma CSS Skinlife Sock and Campagnolo M.S. System Racing Long Sock C476 will beat the heat.
At BikeTiresDirect, we also provide for all your hydration and nutrition needs. Our staff is experienced in riding in all conditions, feel free to contact us at sales@biketiresdirect.com or with any questions regarding summer riding.
