Some day very soon, this mild June weather will turn into the sweltering-hot dog days of summer that run through July and August. Warm 80 and 90-degree temperatures will heat up into the upper 90’s and 100’s, and when that day comes you don’t want be caught on a hot highway without proper preparation.

The danger of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke is deadly. Here are some tips for surviving those dog days of summer:

Plan Your Route Carefully. When it comes to choosing the coolest route for your summer ride, there are three major factors: traffic, shade and stop lights. The more stop lights and traffic jams, the hotter you will be on the road. The more shade, the cooler you will be. Simple as that.

Time Your Ride Carefully. Avoid the hours of peak heat between 2 PM and 4 PM. Spend that time at the lake, or in a nice, cool swimming pool.

Wear Cool Summer Gear. Breathable motorcycle jackets and pants turn your gear into an air-conditioning of sorts. The jacket and pants block the sun while letting air flow through, which works wonders for cooling you off as you ride.

Drink Lots of Water. This cannot be stressed enough. Even if you’re not thirsty, try to chug a couple glasses of water before hitting the road, and drink as frequently as possible. Freeze some water bottles to take with you, or carry an iced-down water jug. For hands-free sips while riding, wear a Camelback full of water.

Avoid Caffeine. Caffeine acts as a diuretic and pushes water out of your system. If you absolutely must have that cup of joe, then drink 8 oz. of water afterward.

Know the Signs of Dehydration. These signs include: less frequent urination (urine passed will be less in volume and darker in color), fatigue, headache, dizziness and cramps.

Know the Warning Signs of Heat Stroke:

• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

It’s a beautiful and dangerous time of year for motorcyclists, so get out there and have fun armed with the street smarts it takes to survive the summer heat.