The most dangerous menace on your ride may not be the squirrely guy in front of you – it’s the sun. - By Katherine Bowers, André Valentine
Why Sunscreen?
It is one of the few gospel truths of modern medicine that ultraviolet rays are the leading cause of skin cancer. Yet only about 30% of adults slather on sunscreen regularly, according to the Centres for Disease Control. While we’d never suggest you give up riding outside, we do think protecting your skin is essential. Endurance athletes soak up 10 to 20 times more sun in their lifetimes than the general population, estimates dermatologist Dr Darrell Rigel. Don’t be dissuaded by recent reports linking the chemicals in sunscreen to cancer. The science is questionable, says dermatologist Dr Kathleen Welsh. ‘Sunscreen doesn’t kill,’ she says. ‘Sun exposure and skin cancer do.’
Welsh recommends choosing a formula with an SPF of 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays (or says ‘broad-spectrum’ on the label). Chemical blocks (such as avobenzone or oxybenzone) absorb UV rays before they harm you; physical blocks (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) reflect sunlight. Wear sunscreen even on overcast days: 80% of UV rays penetrate cloud cover.
Road cyclists are especially vulnerable to sunburn: Tar reflects 25% of UV rays.
Fit matters: When shopping for jerseys, choose one that doesn’t ride up when you’re in the stretched-out roadie position. Lower-back burns are neither sexy nor comfortable.
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