Top tips for summer riding

As the weather heats up across the summer months, it’s the perfect time to be out and about on your electric tricycle. With kids out of school, and hopefully some sun, it’s a great time to plan a trip out and (hopefully) spend some time in the glorious British sunshine. Whether you’re hitting the trails for a leisurely or you’re simply mixing up your method of commute, these tips will help you make sure it’s the perfect summer ride, enabling you to enjoy the great outdoors at your own comfortable pace. 

1. Stay hydrated 

Hydration is important, especially in hot weather. Whilst the UK often changes at a rapid pace, expert advice recommends that you drink before you feel thirsty, this is especially important as you age because thirst is a sign that your body needs fluid.  

The body loses fluid through things like sweat and nipping to the loo. You’re at risk of things like heat-stroke or dehydration if you don’t hydrate properly, so it’s vitally important that you stay hydrated to ensure a safe and comfortable ride. We’d recommend slowly making your way through a good amount of water (the recommendation is at least 2 litres a day) in the hours before your ride, that way you’re not flooding your system and desperately searching for a public loo on your ride! 

2. Plan your route 

Whether you’re just nipping to the shop, or you’re out for a day-long adventure, it’s important to plan your route. When you’re going for a longer distance ride, make sure to pack all the essentials you’ll need such as water and snacks, but also bear in mind that it could get dark on the way home. It’s always best to plan ahead, whether it’s finding somewhere to stop for a coffee with friends or ensuring you can get back before dark. We offer a wide range of accessories including pumps, locks to help keep your trike safe if you need to leave it outside, and helmets you to ensure you stay safe on your adventure. 

Always check where you’re planning to go and make sure that it’s accessible for you. All our trikes are agile, but sadly we can’t promise that they can get you into any space! Thankfully, if you do get stuck, all our trikes have a reverse function meaning that you can easily get out of a tricky space without needing to get off or struggle. 

3. Avoid heatwaves

We love to complain about the weather, it’s either too cold or too hot for us, but never just right! However; in the summer months, we can often experience heatwaves, and whilst the warmer temperatures may be welcomed for a backyard BBQ, it’s important to stay out of extreme heat where you can. That said, even a cloudy morning can turn into a bright afternoon so check the forecast and add sunscreen prior to a ride, and dress appropriately for the weather.   

4. Pace yourself 

You’ll never need to exert yourself too much using any of our range, but we know some of our riders like to (safely) ride faster than others. Whether using walking mode to keep a steady pace with our everyday RIDA range, or taking a trike from the DRAKKAR collection on tougher terrain, you still need to pace yourself. Take rests where needed and remember you can always give yourself a break by increasing the electrical assistance on every ride. 

5. Check your trike prior to riding 

All our Jorvik Tricycles go through quality assurance, however, just like any other bike, or even car, they still require a certain level of maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Our maintenance guide covers things to check before your ride, such as tyre pressure, brake pads condition, and how to book in a recommended yearly service. Simple things like making sure your tricycle is charged before setting off can also save you unnecessary stress, although don’t worry, you’ll still be able to pedal in an emergency. 

6. Have fun 

Comfort, reliability, stability are what we’re known for, and what we continue to offer for our fantastic customers, but the number one rule is to have fun. Our ever-growing loyal community proves that we have the best customers in the world, and whether for functional use or for stability, we want everyone out on a Jorvik Tricycle in the summer months to have fun!