Sheltering from summer sun in the desert

[Eurostar]

I appreciate that summer in the desert is to be avoided, but I may have to cross a desert in the US or Iran or Australia in the summer by bicycle on a RTW trip. I haven't done this before, but I have been advised to seek shelter from the sun in the middle of the day and cycle when it's cooler, perhaps at night. Which means sleeping in my tent in the daytime when the ground temp could be 60 degrees C or more. Would this be disastrous? My tent is grey nylon and very spacious with a full size mesh door on each side and vents at the top. I read on another forum that the tent might melt and I should use a thick tarp above the tent to keep the sun off it.

All advice welcome. No need to tell me to keep out of the desert in the summer. I will try to do that. But I want to be prepared in case I am caught out.

[Richard K]

Depends where you're heading, but there's usually at least some natural shade to be found if you look. Never heard of a tent melting in the sun, but who knows!

A heavy tarp is perfect for shade but obviously useless for bicycle travel. Your best bet might be one of the lightweight reflective blankets attached to your tent - only a few grammes and very effective. You'd have to devise some secure way of attaching it if you're heading anywhere windy.

[Eurostar]

Sure, I'll look for shade. But I understand in parts of Oz there's none to be had.

I was going to use a space blanket and lay it over the tent. But I was told this would have an oven effect!

[oldbmw]

I think this would be fine, but probably better if there is aaiir gap between the two layers. the reflective surface should give 'cool' shade.

[Roman]

Hi,

Rather than melting nylon, I think you should worry more about the amount of water you would have to carry in order to sustain you in such temteratures.

[RichLees]

use whatever you've got to create shade, but don't trap air underneath it in a tent. a tunnel-style flysheet would be better. or, easier(?) drape the space blanket over the bike to create a tunnel
I used a single-entrance dome tent in Oz and despite reasonable ventilation, it got so hot that I couldn't pick metal things up off the floor (70C?) - I wasn't in it or I'd have cooked!
I agree carrying enough water will be the main issue. I'd allow for 5 litres or more per day in that sort of heat.

[stellan]

Bring an unbrella... ...and a turban.

I have travel by bicycle in desert in different part in the world and i have done more than 20 000 km in the desert. I don't have anything with me to protect from the sun. During the day it's to hot to stay in a tent and the best thing is to find a tree or stay in a tunnel under the road. If you can't find any shelter it's better to ride so you get a bigger distance between you and the hot ground/road and also that your are moving. It's hot in USA and Iran in June to August and in Australia it's hot December to Februari.

Don't forget the water, then it's hot you'll need around 20 litre or more each day. Don't be stupied and bring only 15 litre...

Cross Nullarbor/Australia in May-June, cold 30 degrees 2000
Cross Kazakhstan Aug-Sept, OK 40-45 degrees 2002
Cross Uzbekistan April, OK 40 deegrees 2003
Cross Taklamakan/China July-Aug, hot 55 degrees 2003
Cross Middle East /Syria, Jordan July-Aug, Hot 45-50 degrees 2004
Cross Sahara /Egypt, Sudan March-April, Hot 45-65 degrees 2005
Cross Sahara /Marocco, Mauritania Aug-Sept, OK 40-45 degrees 2005
Cross Sahara /N. Mali, N. Niger April/May, Hot 45-55 degrees 2006

I'm now in Agadez and it's hot and sunny...

From China
From Mauritania
From Syria
From Jordan
From Sudan
From Mali

/Stellan

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Send e-mail if you want to know more stellan@ghdata.nu