
Sling a few in with your multi-tool and spare inner tube for emergencies. They weigh just a few grams and take up hardly any space in a pocket or saddle pack. If you don't fancy carrying a bottle, look for sunscreen sachets. That means that if you're going on a longer ride, you need to take some sunscreen along with you. And even ‘once a day’ sunscreen needs to be reapplied regularly.”

The most important thing is to remember to apply it generously and regularly, especially if you’re sweating. Sunscreens with higher SPF don’t provide a lot of extra protection and can lure people into thinking they can stay out in the sun for longer. “Sunscreens with SPF 15 should provide enough protection, when used properly, wherever you are in the world.
Canari single track baggy bike shorts skin#
A sunscreen with a high SPF will help block UVB rays and prevent the skin from burning and so reduce the possibility of skin cancer.Įmma Shields of Cancer Research UK adds, “Many people think sunscreen is foolproof but it should only be used as the last line of defence on the places you can’t cover with clothes. UVB, on the other hand, is the form of UV irradiation most responsible for sunburn and has strong links to malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma risk – types of skin cancer. UVA affects the elastin in the skin and leads to wrinkles and sun-induced skin ageing as well as skin cancer. Get out there and enjoy yourself, but take measures to reduce the risk of damage to your skin. “Plus it can help you keep a healthy weight, which also reduces the risk of cancer.” “Cycling is a great way to stay physically active, which can reduce the risk of breast and bowel cancer,” says Emma Shields of Cancer Research UK. Never underestimate it and always follow sun safety procedures.”įirst of all, no one is suggesting that you curtail your cycling. “People often make the mistake of thinking that the sun in the UK isn’t strong enough to cause harm,” says Lisa Bickerstaffe, spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation. Plus, sweat can sometimes wash away any sunscreen you’ve applied, so what can you do to look after yourself?

Cool, but many cyclists do get serious problems and you can take action to help ensure you're not one of them.Īs a cyclist you're outside for extended periods of time on a regular basis, and cool air blowing over your skin as you ride means you might not realise the intensity of the sun. You might point out that Great-Uncle Albert rode his bike for two hours a day his whole life without even thinking about protecting himself from the sun, and he lived to be 150.

“In more than four out of five cases skin cancer is a preventable disease.” “More than 100,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the UK, and while the disease can also occur on parts of the body not exposed to sunlight, extensive sun exposure is thought to be responsible for the vast majority of cases,” says the British Association of Dermatologists. A tan is actually a sign that the skin has been damaged and is trying to protect itself.” After our skin has been exposed to sunlight the melanocytes produce more melanin in an attempt to absorb further UV radiation, and so the skin becomes darker. Melanin is made in the skin by pigment cells called melanocytes. That’s all very well, but over-exposure to the sun can lead to skin problems later in life including skin cancer which can kill, as well as premature ageing.Īccording to the British Association of Dermatologists, “The dark pigment that gives the skin its natural colour is called melanin. The (hopefully satirical) Velominati rules even state: “Tan lines should be cultivated and kept razor sharp.”
