Summertime in Hilton Head is one of the best times to get on your bike and head to the beach, the ice cream stand, the farmer’s market, or even work. As long as you’re prepared, biking brings joy and adventure for anyone looking to make the most of the hot summer days. To help you experience some of that joy and adventure, we put together some useful tips to help you have the best experience possible on your next Hilton Head bike ride.
Sun Protection
Everyone knows that too much sun can be bad for you, and we should all be mindful of the possibility of melanoma. It can be easy to forget sunscreen when riding your bike, but UV radiation can be harmful even after just 10 minutes of sun exposure. To be on the safe side, be sure to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen made for athletics before your ride even begins and make time to reapply it after sweating.
In addition to sunscreen, your clothing is just as important for offering protection against the sun. Modern fabric technology has given us sun-protective clothing rated on a UPF scale (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) designed to keep the sun’s harmful rays off our skin. So clothing like shirts, shorts, and gloves that are lightweight, breathable, and cool will help keep you safe and comfortable.
And don’t forget about protecting your eyes against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Make sure you always have a pair of good-fitting sunglasses with UV protection. (Bonus: sunglasses will also help keep dirt, dust, and bugs out of your eyes!)
Stay Hydrated
A simple paragraph won’t cover the significance of staying hydrated on a Hilton Head bike ride this summer, but we’ll certainly do our best. At the very least, you should always bring a full bottle of water with you, even on short rides. While sports drinks are acceptable, consider diluting them with water for the most hydration. The heat and humidity can take down even the most seasoned bike riders, so don’t make a rookie mistake by leaving your water at home!
Bring a Friend
Taking a bike ride is too much fun to go alone, but it’s also a good idea to have company for safety reasons as well. You never know when you might take a spill and need a helping hand, but just having someone to talk to along with way is also nice. If you didn’t bring enough bikes along, you can always rent one, so tell your friends they have no excuse to ride along now!
Where to Go on Your Hilton Head Bike Ride
So now that you’ve got the gang together to head out for a ride, where will you go?
To the Beach!
Pack a picnic, a frisbee, or a football, and head out to any one of the beautiful beaches for a day of fun in the sun!
Pick a Trail, Any Trail!
With 64 miles of public paths and trails for walking and biking, you’ll never run out of new sights to see on your next ride.
Biking to Breweries!
After working so hard on your bike in the heat, why not reward yourself with a frosty beverage? Bike to one of the breweries, distilleries, or wineries and have a fun day out with all your friends!
Now that your summer day bike ride plans are set, what’s next on your summer agenda here in Hilton Head?