Water for me and plenty of it. Electolytes or drink mixes are good and you don't get that bloated feeling... but I find they leave an aftertaste. Been known to pour water on myself to keep cool, esp on a long ride/commute on a hot day...sometimes stopping at the beach showers...lol. Too easy to overheat or get a sun stroke riding in the weather we've been experiencing the past week. Only ride as fast and as long as my body feels comfortable doing...that may mean a slower pace and a few more stops along the way. Before heading out, check on the local weather conditions, pollen/dust/smoke alerts, and smog alerts issued for your area. If it's too bad, consider an alternative mode of transportation or ride at night/early mornings.

Sometimes I wear a skull cap/bandana to keep the sweat out of my eyes and the sun from beating down on my head. The helmet flows enough air to keep things cool and wicks away sweat. This is where I buy mine: http://www.bandanas.net/skullbest.htm

Know in Aussieland, the govt recommended that cyclists to wear long sleeve shirts and full length pants to minimize UV skin damage from the sun. CoolMax and RideHide stuff is pretty good and relatively inexpensive. But it's a personal decision what you choose to wear. Sometimes I like to wear oversized shirts that billow a bit to allow the air to flow around my body and contact directly to the skin to cool/dry faster. I'm not riding TdF, so a speed/drag penalty doesn't concern me...lol

Sometimes I wear a skull cap/bandana to keep the sweat out of my eyes and the sun from beating down on my head. The helmet flows enough air to keep things cool and wicks away sweat. This is where I buy mine: http://www.bandanas.net/skullbest.htm

Wow, lots of bandanas there -- thanks! Is there a site that offers the same variety in caps with bills to wear under a helmet, around $4.00?

Today I wore Hubby's short-sleeve jersy, WOW I felt so much better. Neutrogena SPF 55 on my arms, so they are still just as milky white and freckly as ever... :cry:

Wow, lots of bandanas there -- thanks! Is there a site that offers the same variety in caps with bills to wear under a helmet, around $4.00?
Cycling hats? Try Performance. They had them on sale last week for $4-something.

Re: sunscreen:

Here's a report on the varying effectiveness of the different brands, with a list of recommended products.

WebMD article on sunscreen (http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20070622/many-sunscreens-not-what-you-think?ecd=wnl_can_070707)

Re: sunscreen:

Here's a report on the varying effectiveness of the different brands, with a list of recommended products.

WebMD article on sunscreen (http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20070622/many-sunscreens-not-what-you-think?ecd=wnl_can_070707)
Thanks for the article. I've heard of none of those on the "best" list. And, too bad they didn't provide a complete list of the ones to avoid.

Yen, here's a link to the website of the study's sponsor. It lists both the recommended products and the ones to avoid:

More info here. (http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?sunscreens=1&best=1)

Is there a site that offers the same variety in caps with bills to wear under a helmet, around $4.00?

$10.00 but limited colors. Here's one site: http://www.kucharikclothing.com/stock-color-cycling-cap-p-136.html?osCsid=2d2483ad5d116189e3d80e901231b2d0

Tennis caps run about the same price and are lightweight/thin enough to fit a helmet over. Some come with or are made with reflective cloth/material that are breathable...it's one way to reflect the sunrays away from your head. Can cut the bill to the length you want and you'll probably want to sew on a new edging on the bill. Seen a few that take the time to do it and it looks pretty good, plus nobody else has one like it nor is there any free advertising (that you actually pay for) printed on them...lol

Allez Oops: Thanks for the additional link. Either way, it's scary. Without protection there's a higher risk of skin cancer. With protection there's a risk of other cancers (due to the chemicals contained in them). I think I'll just ride with SPF 50 long-sleeve jerseys and be done with it!

Sci-Fi: Thanks for the link and the tips.

I didn't realize so many riders wore something under their helmet. Yesterday we saw a man wearing a bucket hat under his, probably to also protect his ears. If you go out riding every day, that's a LOT of sun exposure over the years.

I usually jump in my neighbor's pool after a ride. ;)

http://www.markbarry.com/pictures/redneck-pool.jpg

i live on the coast, it never gets very hot here.

i live on the coast, it never gets very hot here.

But Dave, don't you ride even to Irvine somtimes or even in the SART from Huntington Beach? Man, it gets hot on the SART as you go in. There's got to be a 10 degree or more difference once you pass that first wooden bridge.

Dunno if they're still available, but I used to have a bandana filled with little gel 'beads' that absorbed and held water. You soaked it and froze it, and it stayed cool a lot longer than just a soaked bandana. I lost it at some point (probably during a move), and this discussion just reminded me of it. I need to look around and see if I can find another.

Jim

Dunno if they're still available, but I used to have a bandana filled with little gel 'beads' that absorbed and held water. You soaked it and froze it, and it stayed cool a lot longer than just a soaked bandana. I lost it at some point (probably during a move), and this discussion just reminded me of it. I need to look around and see if I can find another.

Jim
Upgrade and get the BeWa balls instead.

Upgrade and get the BeWa balls instead.

:roflmao:

But Dave, don't you ride even to Irvine somtimes or even in the SART from Huntington Beach? Man, it gets hot on the SART as you go in. There's got to be a 10 degree or more difference once you pass that first wooden bridge.
i don't think i've never ridden on the sart.