Tandem Cycling - Sun protection for arms

As I look down at my forearms, I'm reminded that I have spent a lot of years in the sun. Especially when I was young - pre-sunscreen days.

I put sunscreen on my arms every day now but I'm thinking that on longer rides especially, the sunscreen can only work so long.

I'm thinking that some sort of long sleeved warm weather jersey would provide much better protection.

Does anyone have any experience with such things?

I just bought a set of the DeSoto Arm Coolers (http://www.desotosport.com/products/product.asp?Category=accessories&ProdID=AC8) and really like them.

Living in Arizona and spending summer months in northern Utah, we seldom sweat/perspire, due to low humidity. So wicking arm warmers/long sleeve jerseys are not used.
Stoker Kay is fair skinned and always uses sunscreen on all exposed skin. Rudy is not fair skinned and uses sunscreen on nose and ears when out for couple hours; if out all day will use suncreen on other exposed body parts. Our favorite sunscreen is Coppertone Sport SPF 30
Asides from the sun, higher altitude will also have an effect. Kay has actually gotten burned through a white jersey while doing a century at altitude at 100+ degrees.
Can see the concern for folks that burn easy or are concerned about skin cancer.

While they call them Arm "Coolers," I think their evaporative help is not their strong suit. More than anything, not having your skin directly exposed seems to be the big plus at keeping temps lower. At least that has been my experience in SoCal (where we have a bit more humidity than Arizona). Plus, I figure with them on, in conjunction with sun block, only my legs will have a nice tan line this year.

So, do these arm coolers stay up without garters?

I have the same problem sailing and have started wearing a long sleeve shirt from these guys http://www.dryshirt.com I find them quite comfortable. Maybe if we ask nicely they will make bike jerseys.

Bruce

I have several white long sleeve silk weight tops that are quite cool and some of them are uv protectant. None of them have jersey pockets, however. I got them when I was outrigger canoe racing, but they work well for cycling, too.

So, do these arm coolers stay up without garters?

They are built like standard arm warmers in that they have silicone grippers at the top and fit tight against the skin from top to bottom. They even stay up for my wife who has problems with almost every arm warmer she has tried. I've attached two photos (since the ones on DeSoto's site are not so great).

I, like a lot of you, have had way too much sun from my earlier years. I am still out in the sun a considerable amount of time, but now, I have to fight skin cancer. I did find a great sunscreen that has worked well for me. It is called Vanicream and it comes in SPF60. You don't have to use very much of it. Rub it in well and it disappears. Your skin doesn't feel greasy. The skin cancer has dropped considerably since I started using this stuff. Can't find it in stores. here's the link
http://www.coolibar.com/sunscreen-vanicream.html

I have a Sun Protection shirt from Sun Precautions that I sometimes wear while biking. It is loose fitting and flaps in the wind. I have not tried their cycle shirt.
Solumbra Full Zip Cycle Shirt (http://www.sunprecautions.com/product.asp?itemno=1593K08+XS+SOL&CAT=ay&SUBCAT=0au)


Adidas also makes a sun protection jersey, but it has short sleeves.
Google "Adidas 2008 Men's AdiStar Flow Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey".

I have send a request for a sun protection bicycling jersey to aerotechdesigns. I get my jerseys from them because they have tall sizes. I haven't been able to find a jersey with sun protection in a tall size, still looking.

I sweat a lot. This leaves pin holes in sun screens where I get burned.

Reminds my of my racing days, ending a sunny long road race in middle Tn
and another cyclist pulled off his jersey (acrylic with applique lettering
sewn on) to reveal a perfect stencil of pale skin lettered with his club
logo and reddened skin everywhere else. '70s era

Although they sound hot, long sleeve SP shirts are not too bad below low
90s and sub 90s humidity, IF you keep moving and avoid long sunny hills.

And there is the ditty about "Mad dogs and English men go out in the mid-
day sun": rides ending by 11am or starting after 4pm in leafy climes can
be quite tolerable. Doesn't work as well where the trees don't grow.

Cactus and telephone poles don't afford much shade in Tucson!

Individually wrapped sunscreen wipes are perfect to take on long rides when you might need to re-apply sunscreen. I ran across them buying first aid supplies, and now I keep them everywhere, office, purse, glove box, camel bak, trunk bag, and pockets.