Riding Your ATV In The Summer

An ATV is an all-purpose, all-season machine, but different riding circumstances require different strategies to keep you feeling fresh, safe, and fun. As exciting or useful as these compact powerhouses can be, they don’t protect you from the elements well. We here at Pensacola Motorsports want to help you beat the heat and stay safe on your next ride, so we’ve put together some tips for riding ATVs in the summer. To learn more, or to see the ATVs we have for sale, contact our store in Pensacola, Florida, today!

Dress The Part

The heat might make you want to ride in shorts and a tank top, but summertime doesn’t make other riding hazards disappear. You’ll still need full-coverage shirts and pants to protect you from injuries caused by flying branches, airborne debris, impacts, or falls. This will also help protect you from sunburns. 

That said, you also want to avoid heatstroke and dehydration, which can be exacerbated by heavy clothing. Keep to natural, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton to provide protection without stifling you with the heat. 

You should also still wear a full-coverage helmet, though one with ample ventilation will help with the heat again. If you need more air, a motocross helmet and well-fitted goggles will do just fine. Gloves and boots again seem like overkill in summer heat, but you’ll be glad you wore them if you crash or get hit. 

Shady Rides

Of course, one way to beat the heat is to avoid it as much as possible. Riding in full shade adds another layer of protection from the sun and also keeps the air around you cooler. A nice shaded forest path will be kinder to you than open dunes. 

Hydration & Sunscreen

These aren’t foolproof methods by any means, so you’ll also want to keep yourself well-hydrated. Your body will lose a lot of water and salt through sweating, so keep a water bottle or three on hand to refuel. You’ll also want to put sunscreen on any part of you that might get exposed to direct sunlight, like your neck, wrists and forearms, etc.

Take Breaks

Riding all day can be draining enough when the sky isn’t trying to bake you, but in summer heat it can be disorienting and cause you to lose focus. Take regular breaks to snack, hydrate, and just rest your body and mind for a few minutes. This can help you stay sharp, which will prevent accidents and damage to both you and your ATV. If there’s a clean creek nearby, dip your feet in for a bit! Make the most of it.

Ready to hit the trail? Contact us at Pensacola Motorsports if you have any questions, or if you’d like to see the ATVs we have in stock. We proudly serve the people of Pensacola and Santa Rosa County, Florida, and Baldwin County, Alabama—let us serve you today!