Are you feeling it? It's getting a bit warmer under your moto outfit, isn't it? Spring is becoming a distant memory and summer's heat is upon us. In the thrill of racing and training, we often forget to drink enough fluids and that my friends will get us in trouble.

Water, It Does a Body Good!

It's just a fundamental fact that nothing is as good for re-hydrating the body as plain old water. It doesn't even have to be some fancy designer water, harvested from a frosty glacier by some H2O farmer (which can cost more than gasoline)!

But wait, you say, when I see one of my AMA idols gulping down a trendy energy drink as he accepts his award, shouldn't he know better? The fact of the matter is, he does! Nine times out of ten, the can is filled with the same water that you drink. This is product marketing, plain and simple. Cokes and energy drinks rely on caffeine as one of their ingredients to provide the kick. The direct effect is to make you eliminate fluids quicker than you can replace them. So if you must drink something other than water – go for Gatorade, or another beverage that replaces lost electrolytes.

Check Your Dipstick

No, obviously you don't operate like the engine in your car, but there is a way to visually gauge your body's fluids. Check the color of your urine. If it's uncharacteristically dark yellow that means you need to thin it out with some more water. The rule of thumb that is heard most often is eight glasses of water a day.

The fact of the matter is that that's all it is, a rule of thumb. When you're out there hammering out the jumps in the hot sun, you can bet you're going to need a lot more than that. And keep in mind that your gut can only absorb so much in a given period of time, so drink regularly, not just a huge amount at once.

How Much More do You Need on Race Day?

More than you probably think. You're going to drink more not only because of the weather, but because of the excitement, the adrenaline rush, and the extra exertion of competition. By the time you notice that you're thirsty, you're already playing catch-up. Ideally, you should drink water before you actually feel you need to and then keep it up.

But in case you're a numbers type of person, here's a formula to take to heart: during the course of the day, aim to drink, in fluid ounces, your body weight in pounds. In other words, say you tip the scales at two hundred pounds. Shoot for two hundred fluid ounces. Then go for it.