my tan lines give me away...

[bikerchick68]

I went with a couple new riders to the free maintenance class offered at our LBS... it was a VERY basic class and perfect for newbie riders... at the end I was chit chatting and then got ready to leave... a man from the class said "you ride alot huh?" I said, "yeah a bit"... he explained that during the class he told his wife, "You need to talk to HER... look at those tan lines!" :eek: I had to laugh... :D

anyway they are both brand new, have fallen in love with road riding and are signed up to do a 50 mile event in a few months... they were asking about routes etc and if I ever ride with new people... I told them I'd be happy to show them some routes and go over all the safety stuff I know, as well as teaching them basics such as how to get your water bottle out while riding... they seem like a nice couple... should be fun...

off to the tanning salon to try to even out this mess... ;) :D

[mary9761]

isn't that the truth? :D I have the added tan lines and "dots" from my gloves LOL. Tan from ankle to mid thigh and then my tank top line. Funniest thing is I have a slight tan line from where the strap of my cooler bag goes across my chest. :p

[SadieKate]

We had a hilarious thread going on about this awhile back. I found out that I sport the Neapolitan look since I wear different length shorts, sleeves, straps, etc., and never work at an even tan.

[bouncybouncy]

cute story...it gave me a much needed chuckle :p

i was just showing off my tan lines on my wrists...with pride!!! no matter how much af any spf greater than 15 you still get lines :cool:

i do however have quite the marbled effect on my back from several style jerseys...i am a little nervous about how they are going to look in a backless wedding dress :D :eek: :D :eek: only our cycling friends will appreciate it...the others will just have to laugh...

[CorsairMac]

I was seriously going to look for some gloves that were solid across the back so I didn't have the little tan "dot" in the middle of my hands until one my friends (a non-rider) told me she got the biggest kick outta those dots and she hoped I kept them! It'll be hilarious to see the look on my familys faces when I meet them for my up-n-coming trip as they haven't seen me since Christmas and they haven't seen my tan lines! (yippee skippee!)

[ladyjai]

i was just showing off my tan lines on my wrists...with pride!!!


I was sooo excited when I got the lines on my wrists. Though I think the knuckle ones are kinda dirty looking :p :D

[jobob]

The tan lines on my hands have been getting really pronounced so I just started using bronzing gel to even them out.

Works really well, I might add ... I used the bronzing gel from L'Oreal.

OK SK, feel free to slap me upside the head. :rolleyes:

Jo "traitor to the cause" bob

[SadieKate]

OK SK, feel free to slap me upside the head. :rolleyes:

Jo "traitor to the cause" bobI'm getting addled from all this head slapping. Why should I? Because you've fallen prey to the Lady Vanity? :p

Me? I just make sure I have a bracelet or watch on both wrists. That way the line of demarcation isn't as noticeable. Here it is Sept 1 tomorrow and my toes haven't seen a spot of nail polish all summer. You should hear their comments when yellow shows up. :(

[mary9761]

I was seriously going to look for some gloves that were solid across the back so I didn't have the little tan "dot" in the middle of my hands until one my friends (a non-rider) told me she got the biggest kick outta those dots and she hoped I kept them! It'll be hilarious to see the look on my familys faces when I meet them for my up-n-coming trip as they haven't seen me since Christmas and they haven't seen my tan lines! (yippee skippee!)


I not only have the 2 "dots" in the middle of the back of my hand, my gloves are the crocheted back type so I have "polkadots" as well :D:D :p :cool:

[CorsairMac]

I not only have the 2 "dots" in the middle of the back of my hand, my gloves are the crocheted back type so I have "polkadots" as well :D:D :p :cool:

I have a pair of those - they tore my fingers up. The seams were just in all the wrong places and I couldn't wear them anymore!!

[bikerchick68]

Ya know... I don't get the dots... but I do get the wrist lines and the ones from ankle to thigh are horrendous... :rolleyes:

and my back... racer stripe galore... LOL... I had a date the other night and put on a halter... then laughed and changed tops... the guy is a cyclist so I probably could've gotten away with it... but it really did look pretty awful... :D

[Trek420]

so bikerchick68, how'd the date go?

I think what gives cyclists away are our legs, we have more defined calf muscles than non-cyclists at least most of us do. Like that deffinition in the calf where it looks lke it's split? Only cyclists have that.

Hmmm, I don't, better ride more.

[bouncybouncy]

I am a freckled mess so polka dots have been a part of me since i can remember...it is just a matter of polka-dotted density!!!

arms = extreme dots
hands = a few dots
legs = no dots - dots - no dots
back = dots, and more dots, and an hour-glass design

without clothes i give the saying "seeing spots" a whole new meaning :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[latelatebloomer]

Maybe I'm weird (ok, forget the maybe), but I think tan lines that indicate that you work for a living or are dedicated to a sport - are cool. DH gets a pretty good farmer tan in the summer, and my dad used to have a trucker's tan. There's a soft place place in my heart for both. :o

[Irulan]

Maybe I'm weird (ok, forget the maybe), but I think tan lines that indicate that you work for a living or are dedicated to a sport - are cool. DH gets a pretty good farmer tan in the summer, and my dad used to have a trucker's tan. There's a soft place place in my heart for both. :o

I would never, ever do anything to change my biker tan.

[jobob]

That's great, whatever you're comfortable with.

I personally think the bike tan on my hands looks odd, particularly when I'm in a meeting where I need to look presentable, so I gladly slap on the bronzing gel. And I feel more comfortable with that.

- Joanne

[latelatebloomer]

Do what feels good, sweetie. Didn't mean to step on your toes. ;)

[shewhobikes]

it's goofy and sorta fun since this is my first year of riding. it reminds me of how proud i am that i've done enough riding to HAVE a biker tan!!! :p

[nicolezoie]

I get razzed ALOT for my rather startling glove tan. It's especially noticeable when I've got my arms crossed across my chest. I've also got matching ankle tans too. And, while just as stark a contrast, I don't *really* mind my shorts tan, only because I know it draws attention to my curvy & very strong legs (eat your hearts out, twiggy-stickfigure-hollyweird types).

[RoadRaven]

its/they're a badge of fitness and health

wear them with pride...

:D

[Kimred]

I hate to be the gloomy voice but my Husband just had his first skin cancer removed at the old age of 34! He's a mountain biker/fisherman. Please use that sunscreen! :(

[Trekhawk]

I hate to be the gloomy voice but my Husband just had his first skin cancer removed at the old age of 34! He's a mountain biker/fisherman. Please use that sunscreen! :(


Kimred is right being from Australia (high rate of skin cancer) we Australians have started to slowly become more aware of sun safety. It really is important to slip,slop,slap as we say and keep your skin safe. In most Australian schools the rule is no hat no play outside. I notice here children are not required to wear hats and I notice very few do. SO if you have children also encourage them to wear hats and sunscreen so they wont suffer latter in life. :)

[RoadRaven]

Yeah Trek... same rule in most schools here too over summer, no hat, no play outside

So strange to see my kids and their friends demanding sunscreen (parents and teachers and TV ads have trained them well) whereas me, at the same age... well I was plastering myself in baby oil or coconut oil...

[DirtDiva]

It's the rule in all primary schools, as far as I know, and most enforce it very strictly. Kids learn very quickly to always have a hat at school when the alternative is sitting in the shady area for the whole of lunchtime while all their little mates are of playing elsewhere - they may as well have been given a detention, as far as they're concerned. Many classrooms also have big tubs of sunscreen in them, but I'm not entirely sure if it's teachers, schools or the Cancer Society providing these.

I'm young enough that sunscreen has always been a strong feature in my summers, but I must admit that I never really wore hats until I started teaching; I find it hard to go without now (something that so marks me out as an antipodean in Britain).

Now, I don't get out on my bike nearly as much as some folk here (although I do tend to spend a reasonable amount of time outside), but I never pick up more than a bit of slightly-less-white (I'm pretty fair) on my arms, and that always comes from a foolish early season burn where I forgot to put on the sunscreen before going out in the sun. It doesn't matter how high the SPF is or how water resistant it is, sunscreen needs to be reapplied every couple of hours.

[/soapbox]

[bikerchick68]

I'm SO bad about sunscreen... every time I wear it I either break out in acne... or it runs down into my eyes and burns! :eek:

just wanted to add an update... my newbie rider is now up to 23 miles... last night we did her first night of hill repeats. She wasa hurting woman, but never gave up!!! She has grit, no doubt about it.

Her husband was supposed to ride the upcoming event with her (their first event ride) but the day we met, was complaining about not being able to catch his breath while riding... had been to the doc and they were supposed to run tests the following week... later that day went to ER as short on breath... long story short, he had a PULMONARY EMBOLYSM!!! YIKES!!!!!!!! :eek: He is now on a blood thinner and due to safety concerns off the bike for 6 months...

I gotta see if the ride is still open and will most likely do it with her... it would stink to do your fist ever 50 mile ride alone...

[bikerz]

Amazing (and great) how things change - I grew up on the equator in East Africa (35 years ago!), and we NEVER had sunscreen. We are (genetically speaking) very fair, but were dark brown most of our childhoods. I worry about it now, and try to remember to wear sunscreen and/or a hat when in the sun. Maybe (hopefully) we had a little more ozone back then...

[CorsairMac]

I'm SO bad about sunscreen... every time I wear it I either break out in acne... or it runs down into my eyes and burns! :eek:

just wanted to add an update... my newbie rider is now up to 23 miles... last night we did her first night of hill repeats. She wasa hurting woman, but never gave up!!! She has grit, no doubt about it.

Her husband was supposed to ride the upcoming event with her (their first event ride) but the day we met, was complaining about not being able to catch his breath while riding... had been to the doc and they were supposed to run tests the following week... later that day went to ER as short on breath... long story short, he had a PULMONARY EMBOLYSM!!! YIKES!!!!!!!! :eek: He is now on a blood thinner and due to safety concerns off the bike for 6 months...

I gotta see if the ride is still open and will most likely do it with her... it would stink to do your fist ever 50 mile ride alone...


eeekkkkkk BC - keeping him in my prayers! as for riding with your newbie friend - what a wonderful thing for you to do.....can you ride it as a poacher if you have too??.....I can't even imagine what she must be going thru right now after having planned this with her husband all along!! keeping you in my thoughts too hun!

[caligurl]

can you ride it as a poacher if you have too??.....

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

oh bc.... wanted to tell you... the person that answered you about this ride in the other forum.. POACHED this ride last year..... that's why he says he stopped at am/pm for water... he can't tell you much about the support cuz he wasn't supposed to be using it!

he caught a LOT of flack about it (and this wasn't the first one he poached and bragged about poaching!)

have fun on the ride with your newbie!

(i do have to add... i did my first metric century "alone" last year.... actually... i do most centuries "alone" cuz of my pace/speed... or i should say lack thereof! :eek: :rolleyes: however i do have to admit it's more fun to ride with hubby than to ride alone!)

[caligurl]

ok.... i've tried to edit my post three times to add to it.. and it freezes up every time!

ok.... you can still register.... even the day of the event... but it will cost you $10 more after the 23rd! so better to register early! :D

they are closing poway grade to traffic and you will need a wrist band to enter it/ride it.....

you get a PATCH! now i want to do it too! but i have angeles crest the day before.... a century with 11,000 feet of climbing... so i don't think i'll be up to another century the next day! :D (plus it's sunday and i try to avoid sunday rides :rolleyes: plus with the price of gas and the rides i already have scheduled.... i'm making excuses! but i want a patch! lol!)

[bikerchick68]

cali.... 11000 ft climbing... good gawd woman... you're turning into a billygoat! :eek: :D

my bro is riding the Knoxville double next week... 200 miles with 11000 ft climbing... AAACK! The week after 9/24 we're riding the Lighthouse Century together... it will be his "recovery" ride :rolleyes:

corsair...thanks for the nice words... it's really selfish of me tho... I'm grooming a riding partner!!! :p

[caligurl]

lol.... ya... i'd do poway if it were a week after angeles crest! but not a day! to me a recovery ride is short and EASY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :p :p :p

angeles crest still doesn't "measure up" to breathless agony..... which was 14,000 i think! :eek: :eek: :eek:

ya.... but ya gotta remember who my billy goat coach is! :D the sadist had me climbing on day 2 of owning my bike! :eek:

[bikerchick68]

LOL yes, I did forget about your coach! :D

be sure you post about the Angeles Crest ride OK?

btw- how's the leg?

[caligurl]

believe it or not.. it still hurts when i touch it right below the knee! (like when putting on lotion!) :eek: but other than that... i'm all heeled... i've been concentrating on road riding lately to get ready for the long rides coming up.... and starting monday have to concentrate more on climbing.... i figure i'll get more fun (read EASY) mountain biking in starting the middle of october and november!

[mary9761]

I gotta see if the ride is still open and will most likely do it with her... it would stink to do your fist ever 50 mile ride alone...

I've done the better part of my nearly 705 miles in the past couple of months ALONE. This includes 3 metrics my first a month ago and latest just yesterday. I got 2 metrics in this week and both were loners. When I've complained at all on my LBF and nearly BEGGED for a riding partner, I'm told that biking is a SOLITARY SPORT. Yet there is no shortage of clubs getting together for rides. :mad:
Sadly I'm not fast enough to keep up with the hammerheads yet, so I have to stay solitary for now. :( I may have endurance, but not speed yet. I guess slow and steady rolls the tortoise and all that rot or something. :(

[bikerchick68]

dang, Mary... that blows... I know some people like riding alone, but overall this is a SOCIAL sport... if ya ever come to CA you let me know... I'LL RIDE WITH YOU!!!

and way to go on not letting the snobby naysayers deter you from riding! :)

[On_yer_left!]

yow. that thread veered from tan lines to monster rides in no time. I love this site.

On the tan thing -- I sometimes get white hand prints on my back because that's how far I can reach with the sunblock. Sucks being single. I get alot of comments about that one.

As for gloves -- ride nude, baby! My hands, anyway. Don't seem to have problems with chafing or grip, so the only line I get is from my livestrong bracelet.

I sometimes show up at a public pool after a long ride and don't feel insecure in the least. Out here in Boulder, if you DON'T have funky tan lines, you stand out.

[RoadRaven]

As for gloves -- ride nude, baby! My hands, anyway. Don't seem to have problems with chafing or grip, so the only line I get is from my livestrong bracelet.

I don't wear gloves to reduce chafing or to improve grip.

I wear gloves for protection.

Just about everyone in this house (including me) has come off a bike at speed on the road.
Our hands would have been an absolute mess without gloves - what takes a huge part of the impact early or first in the crash - the palms or the knuckles. Rather have shredded gloves with a few minor cuts on my hands, than have shredded hands.

[On_yer_left!]

didn't mean to offend.

[RoadRaven]

You didn't

Sorry if my reply seemed short

I have a crap connection and often type replies in a rush in case I get dumped...

Was just justifying my use of gloves I guess, not trying to make you change your mind...

Sorry again if you misinterpreted my response....

;)

[Kimred]

Gloves also help cushion very sensitive nerves. I would have a thumb twitch after long MT. Bike rides from minor nerve damage gloves made a huge difference plus they give me grip in hot weather and of course great protection if you fall.

Also my threads can be short also just due to time restraints only. ;)

[bikerchick68]

OK... latest update... yesterday we did a 40 mile ride!!! Not only that, but we did a 40 mile ride with about 2000ft climbing (over Torrey Pines both ways for anyone who knows the coast route!!!)

It was a perfect day weather wise, we kept a decent but not miserably fast pace, and "PurePink" (she registered here!! where you at lady???) kicked butt my friends! She climbed up that bad boy (Torrey) like a champ... a friend riding with us told her when she got to the top she needed to shout with joy... she let out a whoop that assured me she coulda done a repeat on that climb! :eek: :D :D :cool: I gotta tell ya, when I had my bike a month I was not even CONSIDERING 40 mile rides yet... just amazing...

On the way up I could see a guy ahead that was suffering... not a little, a LOT... complete bonk. I told PurePink to keep going and stopped and gave the guy my ClifShot...when I asked if he wanted it he first said, "no, I'm OK..." I responded that every cyclist has bonked and this was not the time to be modest or embarrased. He took the Clifshot and thanked me... I hope he made it up...

we finished strong and were all tired, but all elated with the great ride and great company! :)

[caligurl]

good job! did you see any of the markings going up torrey pines? someone had written a bunch of names.. and one person in particular "alice" had signs along a majority of the route! "go go alice" and "alice go go" and "you can do it" way cool! i wanted to meet alice!!!!!!

she's gonna be more than ready for poway!

[bikerchick68]

HEY... when did YOU ride that route? Is that part of Amtrak Century??? Anyway, yep chalk names are all riders that are Team in Training people who are training for Tour de Tucson... I told PurePink what those names were and showed her the TiT sign as well... and when you get to the top they chalked YOU DID IT! I told her when she saw that she could yell for joy... :D

the first time I rode that and saw the names etc I have to admit I was grinning like a fool when I saw the jubilant "you did it" at the top... and I've climbed that many times... pretty inspirational.. :)

[caligurl]

yep... did it on amtrak.... and got ice cream at the top!

i loved riding by dog beach before hitting torrey pines! i always wanted to stop at dog beach when i had the dogs with me "sagging" for hubby on the MS!)

[purepink]

Wow, thanks for all your support! As determined as I was to make that grade, I was still amazed that I did it. I'm a bit sore today, but went for a recovery ride and am feeling better. :)

[caligurl]

hi purepink! welcome to TE!

[CorsairMac]

welcome to the board Pure! if you get a chance there's a thread under the open titled "getting to know you".........give ya some grins and giggles learning all about us and if so inclined - tell us some more about you!

as for encouragement: it's one of the many reasons I come back here time and time again. It doesn't even have to be me they're cheering on or patting on the back - it still lifts my spirit and motivates me to be ride farther, climb higher, and go faster!

[SnappyPix]

Hello gals

Just thought I'd revive this thread because it's summer here in NZ and I'm fast becoming the Queen of Ridiculous Tan Lines!

Found this cartoon in Bicycling Australia, which I thought might make you smile: ...

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/6685/tan2jo.jpg

I'm currently trying to half-heartedly train for my first triathlon - and can totally identify with this cartoon when I visit my local pool!

[Grog]

This is the cutest thing!

I noticed since Christmas that my tan lines from last Summer are almost gone, except from those of a sleeveless top that I wore one day. I didn't apply sunscreen well in the back and ended up with the nastiest sunburn I ever got. I can still see the marks in my back, lesson taken.

Anyway, I miss them a bit, but I'll probably save myself from them this coming Summer. We have the chance here at my university to have an outside 50-yards swimming pool with a nice patch of grass right beside it. So during swimming hopefully my upper arms and hands will tan a bit, and after swimming I'll do like all the others and lie down in the grass for a few minutes to get some sun on my thighs. :) I love long bike shorts and find the marks a bit embarassing when wearing a mini-skirt! And if I can't wear mini-skirts, what's the point of all these leg workouts? :D

[yellow]

Funny that this got resurrected today...

This morning I was looking at my face in the mirror and realized that the bottom half is super, super tan, and that I have a big white stripe above the snow goggle line (from goggles and hat). I never noticed this happening in the summer (shouldn't I have a helmet line?). I look hideous! I guess SPF 30 is no match for snow. :p

[RoadRaven]

What a fab cartoon, Snappy!

Going to send it to the local club - they may be able to use it in their newsletter (have to suss out copyrite) - but it really made me smile...

[DirtDiva]

Ha! I love the attention to detail with the tanned finger ends and all.

Sorry about the hideous ski tan, yellow. Could be far worse though - it took me at least three months on Mt. Hood to pick up the kind of google marks I pick up in about a week in ozone-deprived NZ. Gah! I've got to start saving my pennies for a trip to the alps.

[kiwi girl]

Hey Snappy - which triathlon are you doing? We had the SHE TriWomen in Christchurch yesterday - it was a great event (my first tri for a couple of years).

[SnappyPix]

Hi Kiwi Girl,

Yes, it's the SHE Auckland triathlon - I'm really looking forward to it, as it's my first tri. Found myself in the middle of an Aunty Betty's tri yesterday morning on my training ride, which was fun!
Sounds like the Christchurch SHE was good fun - any tips?!!
I'm also thinking of doing the Special K Duathlon in a few months' time - are you planning on doing it too?

[kiwi girl]

I'm not sure I have a lot of specific advice - other than have fun. One difference you will have is the swim being in the sea (Christchurch had a pool swim). Becasue there could be 80 or more swim waves, unless you are in the first wave and very quick or in the last wave and quite slow nobody is really going to know how you are going once you get on the bike.

One thing I would suggest is take a flag or a helium balloon or something to help you find your spot in transition (because if there are as many entrants as last year in Auckland there will be over 4500 bikes there). I didn't do this but was lucky enough to get a spot right next to somebody who had marked their transition with a bright yellow balloon.

I've entered the Special K but my little brother has gone and got himself engaged and his wedding might be in Auckland that weekend :) - after living together for more than five years they have decided to take the plunge and they want to do it this summer.

[SnappyPix]

Kiwi Girl,

I think I'm more likely to be at the back of the swimmers, as I haven't really trained enough for the swim bit :o
Thanks so much for the advice on the balloon - I'll definitely go out and get one, as I was wondering how you found your bike in transition! That's a brilliant idea - thanks so much!
How selfish of your brother to arrange his wedding, out of the blue, without consulting your sporting calendar first! My brother-in-law and family are arriving for a holiday from the UK the day before the duathlon, but we're hoping jet lag might make them late risers that day, so we can be back from the event before they've even stirred! Hope so! People just don't consider these things when they organise your life for you!! :rolleyes:

[kiwi girl]

Well having your visitors will be a good incentive to go fast at the triathlon :) (I don't know what you're like - but no matter what time I go to bed I can easily sleep past midday my first night home after coming back from the UK/Europe)

[arnaew]

Hello gals

Just thought I'd revive this thread because it's summer here in NZ and I'm fast becoming the Queen of Ridiculous Tan Lines!

Found this cartoon in Bicycling Australia, which I thought might make you smile: ...

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/6685/tan2jo.jpg

I'm currently trying to half-heartedly train for my first triathlon - and can totally identify with this cartoon when I visit my local pool!

Had to LOL - this looks exactly like me! I've been out riding heaps lately getting ready for the Tour Down Under ride on Friday - while it might look daggy to some, the interesting thing that has happened is that young men in LBS don't ignore me as much as they usually do (you know - middle aged o/weight woman = invisible). A good tan line on the arms gets a double take and some service for a change!
The Tour starts tomorrow evening with the women's criterium through the city, followed by the men's. Sooo looking forward to it - weather is slightly overcast (summer showers) but good and hot. The tan lines will be out in force!
:D

[SnappyPix]

Arnaew - are you taking part in the Vets' Series on Friday?
How exciting to have a major tour running through your city! Fantastic!
Not surprised you've got those tan lines - been seeing those weather reports for Oz and you girls get it HOT! It's a little cooler here in Auckland, but still a darn site hotter than where I live in the UK!

[arnaew]

Snappy
Vets Series is still too competitive for me - they're way serious:D I'm doing the 93k from Goolwa to Yankalilla, which is through a fairly hilly region:rolleyes: along the southern coast. I did the 30k last year and finished in the first fifteen, so I figured I had to try this distance this year, even though I usually only ride 45 - 60k distances (it's a time poor thing) on fairly flat surfaces. It's the same route the pros ride a couple of hours later - hopefully they won't have to tell me to get out of the way!