Sunblock for a century??

[Luvjava]

My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and have been wondering what other cyclists
have found as the best sunblock to use while riding. The ride will be in May in the costal Virginia/
N. Carolina area. (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)

We've tried the coppertone Sport ultra sweatproof (spray on) and ended up with a burn...

So if you have any ideas of what type and how often you needed to reapply, let us know.

Thanks in advance.

Bill and Kristina

 

[Dave Thompson]

Depending on how fast you ride, your century could take 4 hours (20mph) to 8 hours (10mph). It's not
the heat that gives you sunburn, it's the UV rays, present even when it is cloudy. My wife and I use
any good SPF35 or SPF45 sunscreen in a tube. Apply on your nose, ears, cheekbones, chin, arms,
thighs below your shorts and on the back of your calves. Also apply on the tops of your hands if you
are wearing bike gloves and around your ankles above your bike socks. Any place that will be in the
sun for the duration of your ride. You will be surprised where you get sun-burned on a bike.Re-apply
about half way through the ride, particularly to your nose and ears. If you aren't customarily in
the sun much, apply liberally and often, say every hour.The spray-on stuff doesn't hack it at all.

The feeling that you will have when you have finished your first century is indescribable. It's
quite an accomplishment. Have a great ride!

"luvjava" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and have been wondering what other cyclists
> have found as the best sunblock to use while riding. The ride will be in May in the costal
> Virginia/ N. Carolina area. (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)
>
> We've tried the coppertone Sport ultra sweatproof (spray on) and ended up with a burn...
>
> So if you have any ideas of what type and how often you needed to reapply, let us know.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bill and Kristina

 

[Gary Mishler]

"luvjava" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and have been wondering what other cyclists
> have found as the best sunblock to use while riding. The ride will be in May in the costal
> Virginia/ N. Carolina area. (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)
>
> We've tried the coppertone Sport ultra sweatproof (spray on) and ended up with a burn...
>
> So if you have any ideas of what type and how often you needed to reapply, let us know.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bill and Kristina

Bullfrog Gel, available at most Walgreen's, Osco, Wal-Mart's, Kmarts, etc.

 

[Matt O'Toole]

"luvjava" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and
have been
> wondering what other cyclists have found as the best
sunblock to use while
> riding. The ride will be in May in the costal Virginia/
N. Carolina area.
> (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)
>
> We've tried the coppertone Sport ultra sweatproof (spray
on) and ended up
> with a burn...
>
> So if you have any ideas of what type and how often you
needed to reapply,
> let us know.
>
> Thanks in advance.

The number is the key. Use #40 and you should be fine. However, I don't think you get as much
protection with a spray as with a cream. I think the spray tends to wash off too easily, while the
cream rubs in and lasts longer. It's a pain to put on, but it's the way to go. I like the Johnson &
Johnson one because it's thin and easy to spread. I don't think it's special "sport" stuff or
anything, but it works for me, even being in/on the water all day. Long days on the bike too w/ no
problem. If you really want to be sure, use that surfer stuff like Bullfrog. It's a real pain to put
on because it's so thick, but a good body massage before a bike ride will do you both good anyway. I
have to be careful, with my Irish genes and many years out in the sun. Even today I picked up a
little color, riding from 5-7pm in the VA mountains.

Matt O.

 

[Gary Smiley]

Do the Math!

Dave Thompson wrote:

> Depending on how fast you ride, your century could take 4 hours (20mph) to 8 hours (10mph).

 

[Tsheer]

"luvjava" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and have been wondering what other cyclists
> have found as the best sunblock to use while riding. The ride will be in May in the costal
> Virginia/ N. Carolina area. (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)
>
> We've tried the coppertone Sport ultra sweatproof (spray on) and ended up with a burn...
>
> So if you have any ideas of what type and how often you needed to reapply, let us know.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bill and Kristina
>
Get something with zinc oxide which remains opaque after you've applied it.

 

[Richard]

Are you blond, red-head, or very fair of skin? If not, the drug store brands of lotion (I like the
stuff from Walgreens) is just fine. I'm not all that dark, and I can last 8 hr with a single
smearing of the SPF 30.

Forget the spray stuff; you want a good lotion.

If you're fair, look for a bottle of SPF 45 lotion.

As mentioned elsewhere, don't forget your face, behind your ears, get down inside your socks and
shorts a bit, and be sure there is no gap between your shorts and jersey. Get some lip protection
with at least SPF 30, and apply at each stop.

"luvjava" <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:

> We've tried the coppertone Sport ultra sweatproof (spray on) and ended up with a burn...
>
> So if you have any ideas of what type and how often you needed to reapply, let us know.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bill and Kristina

 

[Garrison Hillia]

"Dave Thompson" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Depending on how fast you ride, your century could take 4 hours >(20mph)

4 x 20 = 80 (5 x 20 = 100)

>to 8 hours (10mph).

8 x 10 = 80 (10 x 10 = 100)

So, after failing math in elementary school you did what?

p.s. And claiming "metric century" won't cut it... that's approx. 63 miles.

 

[Tim McNamara]

In article <[email protected]>, "luvjava" <[email protected]> wrote:

> My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and have been wondering what other cyclists
> have found as the best sunblock to use while riding. The ride will be in May in the costal
> Virginia/ N. Carolina area. (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)
>
> We've tried the coppertone Sport ultra sweatproof (spray on) and ended up with a burn...

Banana Boat 45 SPF seems to work well for me for muli hour rides in hot sun. Gator-something gel
worked well at altitude last summer in the Alps but was disgustingly greasy.

 

[Raptor]

luvjava wrote:
> My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and have been wondering what other cyclists
> have found as the best sunblock to use while riding. The ride will be in May in the costal
> Virginia/ N. Carolina area. (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)
>
> We've tried the coppertone Sport ultra sweatproof (spray on) and ended up with a burn...
>
> So if you have any ideas of what type and how often you needed to reapply, let us know.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bill and Kristina

I live & play at 4000ft+. Over the years, I've become touch-sensitive to UV (or it may be IR, but I
don't think so). I put the sunscreen on, and it blocks that special feeling of heat I get from the
intense sunlight here. When I feel that heat, I re-apply. I don't care what brand it is, as long as
the SPF is 15, bare minimum. The key is to re-apply whatever you use, as needed.

Try to separate the heat from the air from the heat you feel from the sun (hint, it's on your
upward-facing surfaces. This may be less noticeable at sea level-ish.

I haven't run this by a doctor, an outdoor guide or any other specialist, but it works for me. I
know when I'm getting sunburned, and if I have the sunscreen and apply it when I feel the burn, I
don't get anything more than a minor sunburn.

I did my first formal century last year (though I took a 120+ mile training ride many years ago). It
was relatively flat. About halfway through the ride, something happened to my metabolism and I found
myself flying down the road at 25+mph, with no draft. It *felt* like a perfectly flat road, no wind.
I finished the ride pretty strong, with a 22-mph final mile. That was cool.

--
--
Lynn Wallace http://www.xmission.com/~lawall "Let me tell you what else I'm worried about. I'm
worried about an opponent who uses nation building and the military in the same sentence. See, our
view of the military is for the military to be properly prepared to fight and win war and therefore,
prevent war from happening in the first place." George Bush, Nov. 6, 2000

 

[Dave Thompson]

Boy I sure blew that didn't I? Can I blame it on old age? How about it was really late? Dang, I hate
it when that happens. "Garrison Hilliard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Dave Thompson" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Depending on how fast you ride, your century could take 4 hours >(20mph)
>
> 4 x 20 = 80 (5 x 20 = 100)
>
>
> >to 8 hours (10mph).
>
> 8 x 10 = 80 (10 x 10 = 100)
>
>
> So, after failing math in elementary school you did what?
>
> p.s. And claiming "metric century" won't cut it... that's approx. 63
miles.

 

[Jim Feeley]

> luvjava wrote:
> > My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and have been wondering what other
> > cyclists have found as the best sunblock to use while riding. The ride will be in May in the
> > costal Virginia/ N. Carolina area. (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)

I'm pretty sensitive to the ingredients in some sun screens. And I found that many of the
sweat-proof ones aren't sweat-proof during serious exercise. I also noticed that even though I used
to do 7hr hard training rides, I always seemed more sensitive to the sun during a race. I have a few
theories why, but the bottom line is probably that I didn't stop and cool off in the middle of races
and that I couldn't reapply sunscreen in the middle of a 120mile race (not that I reapplied
sunscreen during my training rides...), and I sweated even more.

I've tried a bunch of sunscreens over the years, but I haven't tried them all. I personally found
Bullfrog Body Gel and Quick Gel to work reliably:

http://www.bullfrogsunscreen.com/

NB: your milage may vary. Try out the various recommended sunscreens on your pre-century rides.
Consider using a higher SPF than you think you'll need. Perhaps reapply during your breaks, and
stay in the shade during the breaks. Drink lots of water. Have fun!

Jim

 

[Baltobernie]

Jim Feeley <[email protected]> wrote in message news:130420032223364064%[email protected]...
>
> > luvjava wrote:
> > > My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and have been wondering what other
> > > cyclists have found as the best sunblock to use
while
> > > riding. The ride will be in May in the costal Virginia/ N. Carolina
area.
> > > (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)
>

Just like with every other piece of equipment, don't experiment with a century. You will have plenty
of other things to occupy your thoughts. Pay particular attention to the way a sunscreen affects
your eyes; I've tried some that really irritate mine once the sweating starts. I've used Neutrogena
without problems.

Some other tips:

Take some change and singles along. Sometimes the route will pass a gas station or convenience
store, and a cold soda is a nice change from energy drinks & water.

I have a personal rule to stay in the little chainring until the first rest stop. You'll be
surprised at how the energy of the group lifts you along. You feel fine, and look down and see 27
mph on the computer! If that's not your pace, you'll be toast a few hours later.

Good luck! And join us for the Seagull Century (6,000 riders) in Salisbury, Maryland in October.

Bernie

 

[Robin Hubert]

"Sunbscreen 'Increases Cancer Risk'"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/411226.stm

--
Robin Hubert <[email protected]>

"Jim Feeley" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:130420032223364064%[email protected]...
>
> > luvjava wrote:
> > > My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and have been wondering what other
> > > cyclists have found as the best sunblock to use
while
> > > riding. The ride will be in May in the costal Virginia/ N. Carolina
area.
> > > (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)
>
> I'm pretty sensitive to the ingredients in some sun screens. And I found that many of the
> sweat-proof ones aren't sweat-proof during serious exercise. I also noticed that even though I
> used to do 7hr hard training rides, I always seemed more sensitive to the sun during a race. I
> have a few theories why, but the bottom line is probably that I didn't stop and cool off in the
> middle of races and that I couldn't reapply sunscreen in the middle of a 120mile race (not that I
> reapplied sunscreen during my training rides...), and I sweated even more.
>
> I've tried a bunch of sunscreens over the years, but I haven't tried them all. I personally found
> Bullfrog Body Gel and Quick Gel to work reliably:
>
> http://www.bullfrogsunscreen.com/
>
> NB: your milage may vary. Try out the various recommended sunscreens on your pre-century rides.
> Consider using a higher SPF than you think you'll need. Perhaps reapply during your breaks,
> and stay in the shade during the breaks. Drink lots of water. Have fun!
>
> Jim

 

[Bruce Gilbert]

I had a nice melanoma removed from my arm last year. Since then I have spoken to every skin
specialist I have been able to.

Here is what I have been told. Look for an SPF of 45 or better. The most important ingredient is a
chemical called Parsol 1789. It somehow bonds with the protein in your skin to form the protection.
The rest of the benefit of the sunblock formulation comes from the zinc oxide or similar stuff. That
actually forms a reflector layer on the skin, lowering the light level that actually hits the skin..

One dermatologist told me the SPF number comes from an old drug company method of testing
sunscreens. Supposedly there is a pretty good number of albinos in the Bahamas. The SPF number is
the time duration in minutes that the stuff will keep an albino from burning. I don't know if this
story is for real or just a joke he was telling me. But, it may be plausible... maybe one of you
folks has more expertise about this...

However, there are two things that you need to look for: SPF 45+ and Parsol 1789. I think the cancer
doctor's advice is for real!

BTW, I found a Coppertone sunscreen at Sam's that fulfills the requirements. It costs about $8 for
12 ounces.

Bruce

"luvjava" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife and I are looking forward to our first century and have been wondering what other cyclists
> have found as the best sunblock to use while riding. The ride will be in May in the costal
> Virginia/ N. Carolina area. (warm but it shouldnt be rally hot by then)
>
> We've tried the coppertone Sport ultra sweatproof (spray on) and ended up with a burn...
>
> So if you have any ideas of what type and how often you needed to reapply, let us know.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bill and Kristina

 

[Steve Palincsar]

On Mon, 14 Apr 2003 09:14:36 -0400, baltobernie wrote:

> I have a personal rule to stay in the little chainring until the first rest stop. You'll be
> surprised at how the energy of the group lifts you along. You feel fine, and look down and see 27
> mph on the computer! If that's not your pace, you'll be toast a few hours later.
>
> Good luck! And join us for the Seagull Century (6,000 riders) in Salisbury, Maryland in October.

25 miles on the 24 tooth inner ring would drive me absolutely crazy anywhere, never mind on the
Eastern Shore... ;-)

 

[Archer]

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
> On Mon, 14 Apr 2003 09:14:36 -0400, baltobernie wrote:
>
>
> > I have a personal rule to stay in the little chainring until the first rest stop. You'll be
> > surprised at how the energy of the group lifts you along. You feel fine, and look down and see
> > 27 mph on the computer! If that's not your pace, you'll be toast a few hours later.
> >
> > Good luck! And join us for the Seagull Century (6,000 riders) in Salisbury, Maryland in October.
>
> 25 miles on the 24 tooth inner ring would drive me absolutely crazy anywhere, never mind on the
> Eastern Shore... ;-)

Well, my little ring is a 39, so that would be a bit different <GGG>. though on the Eastern Shore, I
probably would never get off the 52.

--
David Kerber An optimist says "Good morning, Lord." While a pessimist says "Good Lord,
it's morning".

Remove the ns_ from the address before e-mailing.

 

[Tim McNamara]

In article <130420032223364064%[email protected]>, Jim Feeley <[email protected]> wrote:

> I'm pretty sensitive to the ingredients in some sun screens. And I found that many of the
> sweat-proof ones aren't sweat-proof during serious exercise.

I doubt that the makers of this stuff reckoned on the kind of sweating one does climbing for 20
minutes on a hot day in full sun.

 

[Tdwfl]

>"luvjava" [email protected] write: >We've tried the coppertone Sport
ultra sweatproof (spray on) and ended up
>with a burn...

I tried that stuff before jet-skiing and got quite a nice burn also. I've been using Ban de
Soleil for a long time and it works quite nicely but I haven't been able to find it and my
supply is running low. I like it because it goes on really well and doesn't burn my eyes too
badly. I just read recently that you should divide the SPF by 10 to het the number of hours the
shield is effective and figure less if you sweat or abrade the area. Regardless of what you use
it would probably be wise to reapply around the halfway point assuming you're not going to be
averaging 30mph.

tim

 

[Tdwfl]

Also, don't forget to apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out in the sun.

tim