my tan lines give me away...

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

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

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.

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...

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!)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bouncybouncy

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

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jobob

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

Jo "traitor to the cause" bob

---

I'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. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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!)

---

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:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mary9761

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!!

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

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.

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:

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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

---

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

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

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

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

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).

its/they're a badge of fitness and health

wear them with pride...

:D

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! :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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! :(

---

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. :)

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...

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]

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...

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...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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...

---

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!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CorsairMac

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!)

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!)

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

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:

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

be sure you post about the Angeles Crest ride OK?

btw- how's the leg?

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!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bikerchick68

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. :(

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! :)

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by On_yer_left!

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.

didn't mean to offend.

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....

;)

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. ;)