I have registered to do a Tour De Cure ride in May. It is either 150 or 75 miles long, I am going to go for 150 hopefully. How critical are sunglasses? On a scale of 1-10, 10 meaning I will die without shades. Winter is usually the rainy season, and May is usually a great month, so I am guessing it will be sunny and partly cloudy.
I wear RX glasses so if I need shades it will probably cost me 100+ bucks unless I find some good sales.

For myself it's a 10. I have Rx also. but there have been times I used clip-on shades which worked fairly well. Check the eye glass place to see what's available.

Shades are really useful on partly cloudy days or in situations where you're riding in and out of the shade (i.e. treecover). They reduce the strain on your eyes from the constant light adjustments.

Fubar
Having spent lots of time on water, squinting at reflections,
Sunglasses are Very important.
However they don't have to be expensive.
Go to Sams, Walmart etc. Get the plastic kind that slip
behind your glasses (polarized are best). Don't worry
what everyone else thinks, or how they look.
If you can afford em Performance.com had some good deal
on Bolle glasses that you can get Rx inserts for.

Good luck on ride,
Marty

Cheap or expensive, go polarized. That's my bit.

I've worn polarized while driving in the rain, and it actually helped me see through the water drops on the windshield without darkening my vision as much as plain sunblocking lenses will.

Watch the glare disappear! (I even think that during the summer, they make me actually feel cooler...)

:cool:

Get sun glasses four eyes.

Six eyes with inserts?

I'd agree that sunglasses are a must. In addition to all the reasons already listed, they help to keep the wind out of your eyes. Even when it's overcast, I still wear my glasses with clear lenses (it also helps keep my contacts from drying out). A pair of sunglasses isn't something you really have to think about that much, they're not a bother when you don't need them, but they can be a blessing when you do.

Besides, you'll look cool. That's always a plus.

Thanks guys! Has anybody else ridden in a diabetes ride before? They are kind of sneaky those people..They don't tell you that you are supposed to raise 150 dollars in pledges when you register. It's AFTER you register that they tell you. Oh well.

I recently bought a new pair of prescription glasses with virtually unbreakable wire frames and magnetic clip-on shades. They have been great for all of my outdoor activities, including cycling. Ask your optometrist ...

You may be able to raise your pledge money right here on the forum. If you care to pledge anything for my M.S. walk on 16 March, I'll match it for your diabetes bike ride. (My mother died from M.S. complications at age 66; my paternal grandfather, from diabetic complications at age 61.)

That's why I still haven't signed up to be on the Lukemia Team in Training. They want a minimum of $3500 I believe. And if I don't get enough in pledges I have to make up the difference. I'm afraid I can't afford that.


Sunglasses are a MUST in any season if the sun is shining. If it is partly cloudy to overcast but the sky is bright, you'll need amber or yellow or possibly dark glasses.

Fubar... buy a cheap pair of polarized sunglasses. Then, go to an optometrist and tell him you're interested in contact lenses; give him your prescription... He'll set you up with a pair of sample lenses -- probably monthly wear -- at no charge, expecting you to buy contact lenses from him when you find a pair that you find comfortable...

Wear the free sample contact lenses and the $20 sunglasses on the ride.

Problem solved.

How does 25 bucks sound John?

In my thread "urm" I asked bikeforums members if they were interested, but even if they were, I would probably feel kind of bad about taking their money.

What if I don't have a contact RX? Can they make a contact RX out of a glasses RX?
Maybe I can get my buddies at the optometry clinic to hook me up!

www.diabetes.org/tourdecure/

I would love to do the Tour de Cure this year. I just looked at the website, and so far there isn't a tour in Kentucky. I may ask my LBS for information.

Mr. Baker how far are you from Cincinnati? I am doing the Tour de cure here in June. If it is not to far for you maybe you could come up and join me.

i enjoy doing the ride and try my best to raise all the money I can. My mother died from complications of diabetes and I want to do what I can to help.

Fubar, good job for you help and generosity!

You're on! Please send me an email with contact and payment information.

Hey, God has blessed me with a healthy body, so I see it as a duty and a honor to be able to do something for those who have not been as fortunate as I.

Checks already in the mail dude! I wish i could pledge more but I’m already sponsoring several people for our ms150 ride and still might do it myself. I have a race that weekend and it's very boring one so i might ditch and do the ride
Good luck:thumbup:
T

Thanks Toninator!

Fubar... your contact lens prescription should be the same as your glasses prescription -- mine is. In any event, that;s something you should ask an optometrist...

Thanks velocipedio! Will do...

sunglasses?? sunglass are great for keeping the sun out of your eyes.
But if you are like me and ride a lot, in all kinds of weather and ride on roads with cars, trucks and buses. you need something to protect your eyes.
I live in New Jersey with a mix of traffic and weather.
I want to keep flying things out of my eyes. I had bugs fly down my mouth and bounce off of my glasses, dirt can get blown up with the smallest wind and find my eyes.
truck can have dust fly from under the body of the truck and get under your helmet and jersey and get in your eyes.. I want the
best sun protection i can get.. sunglasses are ok but if you go
from out to in side they can fog up. sometime they can fog up just from your breathing while riding.. that is why I would recommend getting eyewear made for sports. and many of them can be fitted
for RX. some even have changeable lens with two or more colors
look at colorado cyclist they have a good section on eyewear.
some LBS carry eyewear..
I think I eyewear should be like your helmet never ride with out it
you only have one protect it... its worth the extra money..



K