As a melanoma survivor, I have to get on my soapbox for a few minutes and talk about sun protection. I never leave home without it - and do use an 85 spf (Neutrogena makes one - available on-line from the US)... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E96OZ6/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
But I've discovered two other articles things that help fight the sun.
One is the shirt that I'll be wearing. It's lightweight and breathable but offers sun protection also. Comes highly recommend from people who ride in the southern heat... http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23932&subcategory_ID=1111
Newest addition is the helmet cover from skin savers. I was wearing a lightweight hat underneath for the visor, but this works great. Breathable due to mesh on top - but provides extra protection for my face and ears/neck... (it's at the bottom of the page:) http://www.skin-savers.com/Action_Wear/
You can see from the pic of hubby and me who has their face in the sun and who has it in shadow... OK - now back to our regular programming!! Diane
Well, I for one can't stand these sunscreen lotions (I have no idea why - it just is that way) and I tend to burn easily, but I did find a solution. There are sunscreens that come in an alcohol base - there's no oil or cream at all. Some come as a clear gel, others as a spray. I have found them to be quite effective. It certainly will be important to have protection on the ride because we will be out in the sun (hopefully) for quite a while.
As for your helmet cover, you might want to check it out very carefully. I may be wrong, but I'm under the impression that that type of thing is not approved by safety authorities. I believe that the outside surface of the helmet is supposed to be quite smooth. The reason for that is in case you do end up falling (hopefully never), a smooth surface will slide along the ground easily, whereas a surface made of material (which is what it looks like) MIGHT not slide so easily and could potentially result in a sprained (or broken) neck. Again, I'm not sure of this, but I seem to remember hearing that.
At US and international speedskating competitions people used to put shower caps on their helmets when it rained - does it mean you can't do that during the ride?
That was my plan for rainy weather, light rainresistant jacket, shower cap, my regular shorts.
I hate anything on my legs while riding in the rain, waterproof or not.
sorry - the link for the shirt didn't go straight to the shirt... here it is: http://tinyurl.com/la8hyp
It's called the Performance Alta Long Sleeve Jersey Item #10-9721
Thanks Comsoft for the advice re: the head covering... I'm afraid I'm going to have to take my chances as I have yet to find another solution to keep the sun off my face.
If you get a helmet with a visor, and put on some nice big "buglike" sunglasses, you'll have half if it covered.
I don't know how you do your hair, but don't part it - if your hair is parted where there is an air hole in the helmet you'll get a scorched spot.
There is also some kind of spray that some women use on their hair to protect the dye job from UV, that may be worth looking into.
I find that if you're out for any more than 30 minutes, beyond a certain level SPF isn't as important as how long it stays on. My dermatologist gave me a sample of SPF60 and it didn't work, then we tried an 85 and I still got major hives (I'm sun allergic). Then I got just an ordinary SPF50 for babies and it worked fine, no hives, no burn, minimal tan.
In my experience for a sunblock to work it needs to be at least 2.5% titanium dioxide and so goopy as to be almost like a wax.
Zinc oxide is nice for the tips of ears and noses, but it is highly visible so if you go that route then you might as well go all the way with some garish War Paint. Check out www.zinka.com. Maybe a Lance Armstrong "Livestrong" Yellow nose would look cool? Or RTCC Blue ears? Or for our friends who Walk in August: WEBC Pink !
The nice thing about metal oxides is that they don't break down. A lot of the organic compounds (homosalate, oxybenzone, and similar stuff) basically handle UV by absorbing it, often the molecule gets damaged in the process. Metal oxides just reflect UV, they just sit there like tiny little mirrors and let everything bounce off.
thanks for the tips. I had a helmet with a visor - but they have holes in them to make them aerodynamic - plus I have prescription sun glasses - not big but regular glasses that tint in the sun... This is working for me right now and I guess I'm going to have to stick to it... You're right - finding the right sunscreen that works for you is a bit of a hit and miss...
I've tried this and it's become a fave of my hubby... http://www.solar-sense.com/ they have a sport one - haven't tried it yet but we like the 70 spf...
