Longissimus

Curious if wearing sunscreen is common in the cycling community. Do most of you think it's a must and fellow riders follow? Or is the greasy mess too much to deal with and most riders avoid using??

AEO

if you're susceptible to melanoma and you're going to ride when the UV index is highest (around 10am to 2pm), yes you should.

Machka 

Even I, who dislike sunscreen, will on occasion wear sunscreen when I ride.

Most sunscreens are greasy, sticky, horrible messes to which every particle of dirt or passing insect sticks, and which leaves me feeling like I've been caked in a combination of vaseline and dirt ...... but living here in Australia it is recommended that we wear sunscreen (Slip, Slop, Slap ... "Slop" aptly describing the way most sunscreens go on).

So I searched for one that would not be as icky as most are, and I found a Neutrogena product that is actually pretty good. I put it on, and my skin feels delightfully dry immediately after ... and even little dabs are protecting me from sunburn. Since I have been using it, I have not gotten a sunburn, and I've been out in the sun for extended periods of time. There are actually some decent products out there!!

10 Wheels

I rode 400 miles last week. Forgot to put sun screen on my lips and now they are very sore.

Mr. Beanz

I'm on the dark side and don't burn much, I do get darker. The wife is more fair skinned and burns easlily. She always wears sunscreen so I do as well just to protect myself somewhat.

She carrries a small container of ss in her saddlebag and often other cyclsits will ask if she has some handy. So I think plenty of riders wear it. Well here in Cali anyways!

DieselDan

Just the arms and back of neck. I'm already in coastal Redneckistan and native born.

spinnaker

You should always wear sunscreen when being outdoors, regardless of skin tone.

CbadRider

I wear sunscreen every time I ride. My family has a history of basal cell carcinoma and fortunately I've been able to avoid it so far.

I use Neutrogena Dry Touch sunscreen; it's not goopy or sticky. It also lasts for hours before I need to reapply it.

Velo Dog

My guess is that most don't. They're going to be sorry, though. I grew up in California, and rode as an adult for nearly 40 years in a time and place when it was cool to have the darkest tan on the beach. For about the last five years I've been getting actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinomas pruned off a couple of times a year. Sunscreen used to be for sissies, but if I had it to do over....

JonnyHK 

I even have to wear a scull cap as my forehead gets burned through the vents of my helmet (receding hair line).

Sun screen on back of neck and ears. Nose and cheeks, with a little down to neck. Arms. Calves.

AdamDZ

I do. I burned my neck and shoulders a few times. Since I have 3mm haircut I also use it on my head. I burned my scalp through the helmet vents once too Unpleasant. I heard of one club cyclist who had to go to ER at the end of the day, he burned his shoulders and scalp to the point skin started to open and bleed and he had fever

A.

jdon

Always.

corkscrew

I do during the summer, and during the winter when snowboarding.

no motor?

Nope, I take fish oil instead and am rarely out in the direct sun for more than 30 minutes.

chevy42083

I tend not to.
Any avg rides (40-50mi) start at or before sun-up, and I am generally done around lunch time. Enough to be a little red, but not sore by any means.
Any rides about 30miles-ish or less and I am not in the sun long enough to burn, even if mid day.

For that reason... I always forget it when i really do need it.
But yes, for longer rides or sleeveless jerseys I should wear it.

DieselDan

I also use clear zinc oxide on the nose.

AdamDZ

I heard about zinc oxide but I never used it. I use 45spf on face and nose if UV index is high.

Adam

mikeybikes

If its sunny out, I wear sunscreen on any ride longer than like 15 minutes.

In Denver, its 300 days of sunshine a year - I wear sunscreen a lot.

DRietz

I always wear sunscreen when there is even a possibility of the sun popping its head out during a ride. I get everything on my legs below mid thigh, and everything on my arms below the shoulder. Usually, I make an extra attempt on the back of my neck, ears, legs, and arms. Also, the inner and outer elbow and inner and outer knee. I don't know if any of you have gotten a sunburn in the crevice on your elbow or knee, but it is not fun.

Machka 

These are the main places I put sunscreen, because I have burned there in the distant past. I also put it on my shoulders and face.

Robert Foster

I started using sun screen when I was into sailing. Even learned about head protection from that activity. Now that I am into cycling I have continued the practice. I like Aloe Gator or Bull Frog.

wabbit

yes! I tan very well but absolutely wear sunscreen on rides. I use 60 SPF on my face, and 45 SPF everywhere else. I also don't like gooey sunscreens. THe ones I like are coppertone sport and Neutrogena, which is more like body lotion, not greasy at all. For my face i use Antihelios 60 by Laroche Posay.It's great, like moisturizer more than sunscreen. I accept that a few flies may stick to me or sand but better that than melanoma in a few years!!!!

Longissimus

Is anybody worried about the chemicals in sunscreen? Sounds like most people are using it. I heard a few say they use zinc oxide but I think the balance are using lotions with chemical UV filters. Does anyone pay attention to this or do most just not care?

AEO

depends on how long you plan to stay outside. You need sunlight to produce Vitamin D and the stronger the SPF in sunscreen, the less Vitamin D you get. The darker your skin, the longer you need to stay in the sun to produce Vitamin D.

Both too much and too little is no good so adjust accordingly to the darkness of your skin.

Vit. D is important in maintaining healthy, strong bones.

yes, always read what is in the sunscreen as certain chemicals in them can be harmful to your health.
https://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/..._in_sunscreens

AdamDZ

Someone used to make a long sleeve, very thin, bright white, almost shiny, long sleeve top for summer riding that was meant to give protection from sun but I can't find it any more. Maybe it wasn't working that well.

Adam