Tips to keep sun safe on a bike ride

A leisurely bike ride joined by friends on a hot summers day was a favourite summer pass time of mine; one that stirs up a strong feeling of nostalgia. Time seemed to move slower and senses were heightened as for the first time you notice the ticking sound of cicadas in distance. In that moment, not a single care in the world was given about the fact that you were dripping in sweat, it is summer after all, and it’s to be expected! While I could ramble on for days about how great riding in the hot months are (the freedom and the lack of self-discipline) there is a serious side to keeping safe under the beaming rays of the sun. I’m not going to preach to you about how you should keep clear of this burning ball of fire completely like some experts have lead people to believe. Humans need the Vitamin D that the rays provide for absorbing calcium and building strong teeth and bones. It’s not going to be much fun when you need to remember take a supplement each day because of a deficiency, who has time for that? Of course, the risks of skin cancer are ever present, however you can reduce the risk of UV exposure with these unexpected tips.

Not all sunscreens are created equal

There are many different kinds and even reputable brands on the market that don’t actually protect us from harmful UV rays. There are seventeen individual sunscreen ingredients that are FDA approved, all these ingredients bar two are made to absorb UV light while the other two – titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide – reflect UV rays. Most store brand sunscreens that you find will contain these absorbing chemicals that don’t just sit on your skin, they soak into it and can quickly find their way into your bloodstream. They tend to scatter throughout your body without being detoxified by the liver and can be detected in blood, urine and breast milk for up to two days after a single application. The chemicals can affect your hormones, damage your skin and sometime increase the risk of skin cancer making us all wonder why they got approved in the first place.Opt for organic sunscreens that only contain zinc and titanium dioxide.

Drink up

Half your body weight is made of water; when you are riding under direct sunlight, you tend to sweat more leaving you more susceptible for dehydration. So how do you know when you are dehydrated? You’ll likely experience little or no urine, dry mouth, fatigue, extreme thirst, headache, confusion and dizziness. The good news is, the sun doesn’t have to be your enemy as long as you drink plenty of water and take breaks when you start to feel too hot. Don’t forget to wear your snazzy sunglasses to protect those peepers from the blinding rays, not only will they prevent burning of the iris and vision impairment, they also look super cool. We found great sunglasses suited for every rider at http://99bikes.com.au/.

What sun care products do you swear by? Tell us in the comments below.