Hot in the southwest US

[yuma simon]

It was close to 100 F (38 Celcius?) on April 1 (not a late April fool's joke!). It should be cooling off a bit, but if you are headed along the southwest US/ north Mexican border east of San Diego (once you get past the low-lying mountains east of the city) it will generally be hot from here on out through October. You can ride for the next several weeks, but you will want to re-route around mid-May once it gets HOT Not much shade, so stop where you can find it, and bring alot/drink lots of water as you can dehydrate without realizing it! (rule of thumb is about a US gallon per day in the desert)

[Jammin]

Yup, that's some serious heat down there. I rode thru Arizona once in July and it was 120F! Like riding with an open oven door in your face.

I have used this cooling vest and highly recommend it for hot weather traveling. You simply dunk it in water and wear it under your jacket and evaporative cooling keeps your core cool, preventing any heat strokes.

Motorcycle Cooling Vest: TechNiche Evaporative Cooling Vest

[BikeGrrl]

We went through Big Bend, Texas during mid / end June and it was HOT! up to 120F in Big Bend, that's about 45C. We've just bought a cool vest each, for our ride to Death Valley tomorrow (yes we're exceedingly bright individuals). Cycle Gear (chain of stores all over the southern and western US) have them on offer at the moment for $29.99 - well at least the one here in Vegas did.
Cycle Gear - Motorcycle Apparel, Parts and Accessories