Cycling Season – Top tips for avoiding the burn on your bike

Whether you are a weekend warrior, a daily commuter or just enjoy a leisurely pedal, it’s important to think about what you wear. Below are a list of top tips for protecting yourself so you can head out and enjoy your ride.

1. Dress to protect – A white t-shirt (like the one in the picture) provides a UPF of 5, so the chance of being burnt is high. Wear UPF50 clothing; or darker, tightly woven material to provide better protection (www.skincancer.org).
2. Cover your arms – 50% of skin cancers are found on the arms (www.skincancer.org). Sunscreen generally gives you 30+ protection, tightly woven fabric in darker colours can provide UPF50+ protection, no need to reapply during your ride.
3. Watch your head – You can get burnt through the vents in your helmet, so protect your head from the sun by applying sunscreen or wearing a bandana or cap underneath your helmet.
4. Avoid red stripes – When applying sunscreen, lift your sleeves and Knicks/shorts up, put sunscreen on, and then pull them back down – this will ensure you don’t miss a spot.
5. Wear sunnies with category 3 lenses – don’t forget to protect your eyes from UV rays as well as your body.