Road Cycling - What To Wear In Summer?

I live in Australia and with summer fast approaching i am wondering what would be a better solution to stopping my arms getting sun burnt other than using block out cream. Has anyone else (who lives where it is hot) got any ideas? i was thinking of trying to get hold of a long sleeve summer weight jersey. Has anyone used one of these?

Damn you people south of the Equator!!!

The days are getting shorter and already the air is a little cooler in Canada! Its not fair I tell you! :cry: :irritated :cry:

It's too damn hot here to wear much long clothes. I put on some sprayable 48spf. It's not what you want but it works.

Maybe some coolmax long sleeve shirt is the ticket?

cAPS

Unfortunately, wearing long sleeves during one of our summers (I'm in Queensland - we're already getting night time temperatures > 30 deg C) is likely to cause more problems in the heat than sunburn. I have heard people talking about long-sleeved jerseys, but I'm yet to see anyone around here actually brave wearing one. Personally, I stick with the sunscreen - but not just any old sunscreen. Banana Boat Ultra is the most ultra spanky one on the market. If it stops me from burning in the skin cancer capital of the universe, it can be recommended to anyone.

If wearing long sleeve jerseys doesn't sound comfortable (I only wear them in the colder months) why not ride in the morning or late afternoon when there is less chance of getting burned?

You could always duct tape an umbrella to your seat tube and ride in the shade!
:beer:

Seriously, the long-sleeved shirt might cause more problems than it solves. Even though it may wick sweat, you may still overheat. I think the sun screen is the way to go, greasy and messy though it may be.

You could try one of the long-sleeve running shirts made of very thin coolmax that runners wear in winter - Nike make a very thin one that would probably be ideal (I got mine at Rebel Sport in Sydney). It wicks away moisture and does not cling, but it is light enough to allow air through for cooling. Personally, though, I will stick to the traditional jersey in summer, although my skin is already like leather from running in a singlet in winter and shirtless in summer. (Thank god for Sydney weather!)

Ross

I'm a So California rider and try to ride early am or late afternoons. Prob when the UV isn't as bad, or at least not as hot. Once in awhile I might put on some sunblock on my neck and ears.Other than that, I just add to my tan everywhere else :D
As far as wearing long sleeve shirts, geese, I don't even wear them in the winter unless I really have to. LOL

I'm by you and do the same.Around 3pm during the week and 6:15-6:30 on the weekends.Lightest ls might not be to bad.What about just a ls base layer.

I live in South Florida and I use a spray on sunscreen that is spf40+. The spray on is easier to re-apply than a cream because you don't have to rub it on with all of the sweat later in the day. I carry the spray bottle in my back pocket. (the smaller bottle fits easily). Tomorrow I am going on a 160 mile ride from Fort Lauderdale to Naples... Crossing just under Lake Okeechobee...

I also wear sleaveless jerseys from time to time so I won't get a super dark tan that ends on the middle of my arm.

For those with light skin you got more to deal with. A girl I know wears "white" arm "warmers" which she got made from regular jersey material to help on days where her skin just cant deal anymore... She gets a kinda rash more than a burn if she gets too much sun.

Originally posted by RonH
If wearing long sleeve jerseys doesn't sound comfortable (I only wear them in the colder months) why not ride in the morning or late afternoon when there is less chance of getting burned?

I don't know about Newcastle, but around here sunburn is a problem at 7am - even if it's overcast and raining.