Beating The Heat?

safetythird · Post by **safetythird** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 9:13 am

After talking to a few veteran burners who have brought RVs to BM I've decided that I'll leave my awning rolled up and secure. Too many stories of watching other awnings get jacked by a gust of wind out of nowhere.

I have one of those 10x10 EZ UP shade structures and was wondering if anyone has had good luck with these at BM and what kind of special precautions I should take when setting it up?

I was working on our playa bike last week and noticed that the black seats get real hot in the sun. Any suggestions for keeping it cooler? I was thinking of covering the black fabric with a silvery one.

On keeping cool in general I've got a personal mister and a couple bandana looking things that you dip in water then wear around your head or neck. They're not regular bandanas (although they'll probably work), they have some sorta gel-ish stuff in them to hold water longer. Got them from a firefighter who uses them when fighting wildfires. He swears by them. (Also going to use the bandana looking charcoal lined smoke mask that he uses too.)

A big shade hat, lots of water, hiding under a shade structure during the hottest part of the day. Any other tips I'm missing?

Safety Third!

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 9:28 am

I was working on our playa bike last week and noticed that the black seats get real hot in the sun. Any suggestions for keeping it cooler? I was thinking of covering the black fabric with a silvery one.

I think silver would be similar to blak. I'd suggest white. And perhaps while you're working on it, a white wooly, fuzzy or furry fabric with padding underneath...enhance the comfort!

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 6:26 pm

My favorite is sleep or nap in a hammock during the day. When I lie on a bed in the heat, I sweat terribly. In a hammock, with airflow underneath, there doesn't seem to be much sweat.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 6:44 am

I experimented with a seatcover for my bike last year- a piece of foil, moulded LOOSELY over the seat acts like a shade structure over a tent- Helpful if you can't park in the shade. Add a big rubber band or clip to anchor it somewhere on the underside so it doesn't MOOP in the wind. Oh, and take it off before riding.
Regarding those EZ ups- They're great in some ways, like the velcro corners that give way if too much wind/water loads them up....You can set them up low so they catch less wind (or tilt them!) but don't think for a moment that you can avoid anchoring the crap out of them! I use a couple at art fairs, and even with displays hanging from them they'll take off in a moderate gust! Anchor the TOP FRAME and not just the legs, since they'll just pull out! Four anchor lines, out from the four corners! Open the box before buying, to ensure that all parts/sides are present, (bad track record there) and for the Playa I suggest the more recent, powder-coated frames instead of the bare metal. The coatings got better, but the mechanics were cheapened a little, so it's a tradeoff....

calsur · Post by **calsur** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:54 am

My brother lives in AZ and he gave me a steering wheel cover made out of the same stuff that you put up in your cars windshield to block out heat. That aluminum quilted stuff? It works great. And now I know what I will be doing with the too big front windshield cover I have. Cutting it up for bike seat covers!

I have had enough of cooked hams.