Anyone try one of these for endurance racing? Going to do a 6 hour on a 250 this weekend and its going to be 95 so I'm looking for something to help keep me cool. This is the one I was going to get: http://www.techniche-intl.com/catalogus/hyperkewl-cooling-sport-vest.html We are planning on hour stints so I'd like it to last nearly that long and not end up making me hotter.
Spidi had tested out their Anatomic Intercooler System (AIS) quite a few years back on pro riders like Gibernau, but I don't think it ever got any traction or saw a retail version. Being on the bike for an hour in 95 degree heat is going to make any home-brew solution probably irrelevant after a few laps. I would just make sure you are using breathable materials that will aid your body in dissipating heat, and trying your best to keep fluids available (camelback ect.) as dehydration is not something I'd like to have nipping at my heels while circulating a racetrack.
95 degrees is nothing. Man up, nancy Back in the day I did a 6 hour endurance in TX with a high of 111 degrees. That SUCKED. I was pouring ice water down the neck of my leathers between stints. I tried those pellet filled neck bandanas that you soak and keep in the cooler until ready to use. They helped al little for the first 20 minutes or so. I assume the vests are the same deal? I would think that the vests might inhibit air flow if you're wearing perforated leathers.
We used cotton painters' hoods when I was running endurance. Soak `em in ice water (dedicated cooler) pull `em on, shudder at the cold shock, then put on our helmet. Good for up to a half hour in Texas.
I haven't used any of the available cooling shirts but based on the research I did for a work project, I would check out the backpack cooling systems by CoolShirt or Veskimo. They're pricey ($500-600) but should work for 3-4 hours.
One of the guys at Hallett last time had some kind of vest he bought at cycle gear that worked like those bandana things. You soaked it in water and put it on under your leathers and it was supposed to keep you cool. I don't know how well it worked though. I'd think anything that relied on evaporative cooling wouldn't work well when the humidity level was too high.
Nick I used one a couple years ago. It does ok until it dries, then not so good. Call me I'll give it to you if I can find it 913-515-6533
Yeah. Missed your post. I have about $250 in my whole system. I used the shirt but rigged my own cooler system.
That was the one I had planned on getting but a friend of mine used one and said it didn't last long enough and went with the other one I linked earlier as it held more water and lasted longer. I went ahead and ordered one, I will report how it goes! I might not have been so worried about it but I haven't raced since 2010 and I haven't been keeping in shape this year so it's going to be brutal
http://www.bikebandit.com/riding-ge...7EolOCjY_O7asYNubuczFORs9eok4ivgjzBoC6GPw_wcB Maybe this one. Has a higher neck and a couple pockets to load with ice. Ice would cool and extend cooling time by rehydrating vest from melt perhaps??? Anyone tried this model?