Me, usually a long sleeve light colored cotton T-shirt and lots of sunblock.

 

A wet vest also helps. But like others said, IT's Fricken HOT. If you have to ride in the lower elevations in the summer do this, plan only to ride till 10am, Ride at night if you have to ride straight flat runs in the lower elevations.
It's not a dry heat, it's a dehidration heat. You will die in the summer here if you arn't well prepared for it.

 

Everythimg the others have said are true. Orig from Houston and trust me this heat is different, doable but different. Be prepaired cant stress enough! Hydrate first thing start drinking water you could not imagine how fast lack of H2O can come over you and then it's too late. Cover all the skin keep the sun off gloves a must hard to break and clutch when you can't keep your hands on the levers. People here adjust ther activities in the summer by going out at night and early morning 10 to 4 is inside time!

Russ

 

Put a large fan in your oven then turn it up to 120* after the oven warms up turn on the fan then stick your head at the entrance to the oven. That is what it will feel like but only the air is hitting your whole body.

 

I grew up in Illinois but moved to Phoenix,lived there for about 10 years. Everyones pretty much on the money although ,living there you do kinda sorta get used to it.But the summers are hell! You're going in the spring and that should be a great time to go. Was only around Bisby a few times,my favorite ride was up to Payson,up in the mountains and pine trees.It was always a little cooler than the valley and the scenery is great.The other great ride was up to Prescott(whiskey row)then up thru the mountain pass to Jerome,then back down to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon....friggin awesome!
rocket

 

Lived in Indiana most my life, now AZ. Hit Bullhead City in the summer.......felt like my skin was being heat stripped off the bone. Plenty, plenty of water! We pack one bag as a cooler every trip in the summer.

But you will love it riding here. BTW if someone didn't mention it bring a long sleeve t-shirt, even sunblock has a hard time keeping the burn away and it actually feels cooler when in the mid-day sun.

 

I forgot to mention. Like everyone else said, you can't drink enough water in the summer when out riding. The average size person will sweat 26 oz of body fluids for every hour outside in the summer. We were doing the Payson ride a couple summers ago and we came upon a group of riders at the gas station right when you hit town. We noticed a group of riders from out of state on the side of the building standing around one of the riders that was laying on the ground. To make a long story short, he was so dehydrated that his vital organs were shutting down and he was going into shock. We called an ambulance which took him to the Payson Hospital. They got him stabilized then air lifted him to the trauma center in Scottsdale. Arizona is a great place to live and ride but dont take the heat for granted. Just be prepared and enjoy.

 

since you're going next week, the weather should be fine--not the searing heat that others have talked about. when you go back, if u can, go up through payson, then over to sedona, oak creek canyon, grand canyon (south rim will be closer and i don't think the north rim is open yet), and then back to lv.

 

Yeah, I know I sorta hi-jacked this thread a little off course, but I appreciate everyone's responses about the summer heat there in AZ. I'm really hoping I get a chance to come down this summer.

However, I do have one more question: Seeing the need to keep hydrated, are camelbacks very popular around there? I use one when I'm cycling quite often. Just curious, as they are very useful, but kinda dorkish looking. lol. On a bicycle, though, it works very well. I'd probably still plan on bringing it with me, if I do make it to AZ this summer. We'll see...

Thanks again for the tips, and sharing some AZ news with me!

 

Coming from Duncan you could swing by Safford and ride up Mt Graham nice mountain ride to about 9,300 ft and cool. Don't miss the Chiricahua Nat'l Monument another Mtn ride and spectacular rock formations. Tombstone only 30 miles from Bisbee. Next week won't be hot Bisbee is at 5,000 ft and may have temps from upper 30's into 70's. Have breakfast at the Bisbee Breakfast Club. A nice day ride from there is to Parker Canyon Lake road is paved but a little rough in spots. Watch for cattle Arizona is "free range". Hope you have a great trip and any questions just ask. I am only 35 mi from Bisbee.