UTV Summer Riding

Riding your side by side is a great way to take family and friends on a fun off-roading adventure, whether you’re heading through the woods or over the prairies. Side by sides are also useful for many jobsite applications, from construction zones to farm and ranch jobs. But with the summer upon us, UTV riding becomes a little riskier due to the heightened potential for sunburn and heat exhaustion to set in. We know it’s impractical to avoid riding your side by side entirely, but there are definitely precautions you can take when it’s hot outside.

To avoid adversely affecting your health while riding your UTV, whether it’s for work or play, follow this list of tips created by Barnes Bros. Motorcycles & Off-Road. We’re your local UTV dealer, located in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and we want you to stay safe when you’re off-roading during these hot summer months!

Dress For The Heat

When you’re riding your UTV, it’s best that you wear protective clothing in the first place. You want to cover your arms and legs to protect from both scratches and sun with long sleeves and pants. Choose natural fabrics for breathable layers and you won’t overheat. You should be wearing a helmet and goggles or a face-shielding helmet; you can get tinted goggles and shields to protect your eyes from UV rays.

Stick To Shady Paths

An easy way to avoid overheating both your side by side and your body is to stick to shady routes instead of riding across open stretches out in the sun. The shade will be several degrees cooler and you’ll be less likely to suffer a sunburn if you stay there. Apply sunscreen to the back of your neck and your hands, if you’re not wearing gloves, and your face if your helmet doesn’t shield it completely. If you’ve dressed as we suggested above, you won’t have to apply sunscreen to as much of your body.

Drink Water

Staying hydrated is a simple way to prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Dehydration not only makes you feel crummy, but it slows your reaction time and blurs your focus, making you less able to react quickly to obstacles, people and animals in your path. Keep yourself hydrated with a few bottles of water and a sports drink or snacks to replace electrolytes lost through sweat.

Take Breaks

Finally, you should take more breaks while driving your UTV in the heat than you might when it’s cooler outside. You can use this time to reapply sunscreen, drink water, have a snack and generally cool off so that your focus is good when you resume riding. Try to find a trail with lots of scenic views that give you something to admire when you stop to rest. You could even do short hikes around or sit by a creek to take in the cool water. However you choose to break up your riding, make sure you don’t push yourself past your own limits and stave off fatigue however you can.

Recognize Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Should you do all these things and still suffer the effects of the heat, be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion so you can take corrective measures for yourself or your riding companions. Some signs of heat exhaustion are cool, clammy skin, heat cramps, dizziness, a weak pulse, nausea and weakness. Heat stroke is more serious: if you or a friend stops sweating entirely and seems confused or faint, immediately stop, get the sufferer to shade and begin to rehydrate them. Have your cell phone or a radio on you to call for help if you’re stranded due to the effects of the heat.

Now that you know how to stay safe in the heat, you might be looking into acquiring some side x sides for your job site or for weekend recreation. Come down to our showroom today to see the UTVs we have in stock in both new and used condition. Barnes Bros. Motorcycles & Off-Road serves the greater Pittsburgh metro area with our dealership location in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.