I'm new and quick question - summer tights

[athansor]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the boards, and thought I'd say Hi!
I've been cycling for a while, but have ramped it up lately. I used to ride a lot (mostly road bikes, some centuries and other long rides, and a few time trials), and then a while ago moved to a place that had good mountain biking (right out the front door).
Just after getting started with mountain biking, though, I ended up expecting, and that put riding on hold. Another move got us to a place where I commute to work on my bike every day (riding the mtn bike, but I am getting a new WSD road bike here very soon). I also hope to get back to some centuries in the future.
Nice to be here!

Now a quick question...Somehow, over the years, I've gotten really sun sensitive and I'd really like to find some long cycling tights and cool long sleeved jerseys or tees. It's supposed to get pretty hot here, so I'm looking for something light and cool, but that will still provide a lot of sun coverage. Padded tights would be a plus, but not necessary. Any suggestions?

[Bikingmomof3]

athansor-welcome. :) I have no answer for you, but I am certain several will chime in soon. You can also try looking at the clothing thread. Again, welcome to TE. :)

[Dianyla]

I find loose fabric over legs a lot more comfortable than thin tights when it's hot out. I really like the Sugoi Bravo Capri (http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=23330) pants, they're a very light breezy stretchy material. They're my favorite pants for hiking in the heat, as well as to slip on over bike shorts.

I'm not sure how much sunlight the lighter colors will block, though, since they aren't explicitly spf rated. Sugoi also makes some full-length non-capri pants but I couldn't find them online at TE, I think I've seen them at REI. I am fine with the capri pants because I'm short and the "capris" are more like highwaters on me.

You could wear them over the mesh padded liner shorts like the Ricaro2 short (http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=8604).

[aicabsolut]

A friend of mine swears by the Exte Ondo capris. She says they are nice and long.

For full tight, maybe something like the Cannondale lightweight tights? They are the same thin spandex material as most workout pants. Not sure if they come with a chamois option.

Some brands like Voler also make knee and leg warmers that aren't fleeced on the inside, so they are cooler.

A light colored, lightweight, longsleeve jersey might do the trick. With a long zipper for ventilation if needed.

[KnottedYet]

I just bought a pair of Rivendell MUSA pants. They are very comfortable and cool.

http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/clothing/22432.html

[michelem]

I haven't been able to find UPF bike tights, but I did find a great UPF 50 longsleeve jersey! I wore it Saturday for a 2 hour ride and Sunday for a 4 hour ride, with no sunscreen underneath - I did not tan in the slightest - yay! You can find it on www.boure.com. Oh, and it was close to 80 degrees on Saturday and I felt very comfortable. $70 - no tax if you are outside of Colorado - and free shipping. Awesome.

Let me know if you find any UPF tights. I wore my chamois cycle shorts underneath my UnderArmour tights and didn't see a tan line from the shorts, but I really don't think that even black cycle tights have a very high UPF rating (they let in some sun).

Other helpful stuff: Full-finger gloves and zinc oxide (Z-Cote) sunscreen on face and lips (Z-Cote blends in and doesn't look white; it's waterproof and is the blocks the most full-spectrum rays of all sunscreen ingredients).

[sunbody]

I have found that UPF 50 swim tights from Coolibar work well. I think they are cooler than loose fitting pants. I think they do a better job of wicking away the sweat. I also use some sun protective pants, loose, from Solumbra, but don't think they're quite as cool.

[OakLeaf]

I'm a fan of the DeSoto arm coolers, and they have leg coolers (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodDE_LC.html) as well. There's some discussion (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=38997) going on in another thread right now.