TRAVERSE Issue 18 - June 2020 | Page 109

EVERYWHERE Of Dehydration almsjo darker urine, and decreased urine production. In fact, urine colour is one of the best indicators of a person's hydration level - clear urine means you are well hydrated and darker urine means you are dehydrated. You can also tell that you are on the way to becoming dehydrated if your muscles start cramping, furthermore you might notice one or more of the following symptoms; Dry mouth, fatigue, lack of tears when crying, weakness and muscular pain, headache or light-headedness. In more severe cases you will probably see lack of sweating, sunken eyes, wrinkled and dry skin, low blood pressure, increased heartbeat, fever, delirium and unconsciousness. We lose fluids through sweat and urination. Yes, riders do sweat even underneath their gear. Breathing is another way we lose water. If you breathe onto a window the glass becomes foggy because you exhale moisture with the air. You inhale relatively dry air and exhale air that has been moisturised by your respiratory system. It is also obvious that in hot, dry climates, where motorcycle riders often are, especially wearing thick protection gear you sweat more hence you have increased need for water. Some riders also claim that as soon they get into their riding gear, they feel that they need to go to the bathroom. That however, probably has a more psychologically explanation. Lowered concentration of fluids in the blood can be hazardous for a motorcycle rider. Dehydrated muscle tissues result in reduced blood flow which affects our gen- E 55