Tan Lines

[SadieKate]

Well, in the olden days we had gloves with crocheted backs (much cooler to wear). I found a pair at the PI outlet last year. Snatched them up so I can have teeny-tiny checkerboard tan spots.

[tatormc]

I've got the white hands too and I don't really like it. I decided yesterday to go without gloves and it was fine. If only the sun would have come out maybe my hands wouldn't be so white! But worse than the white hands is the leg tan line. I'm going to put on sun screen each time I ride and then hopefully lay out in the back yard to help reduce the white upper thigh.

[annie]

I haven't worn gloves in over a year now............ except when its cold and I need them for warmth. Can't say I miss them. I feel I have a much better grip on the bars without the gloves, more control. And I haven't had any pain or pressure issues at all. I tried lots of different gloves, kept going for less and less padding. Finally figured out that maybe no padding was what I needed. I have fairly cushy handlebar tape, but nothing special. I don't let it get worn down. Obviously, I don't have the option of wiping glass of my tires as I ride now, but I was never very good at that anyway. Had to slow waaaaaaay down. Now I just stop, quickly wipe with whatever I have handy and go on my way. Not something that happens often anyway.
Not wearing gloves has nothing to do with the tanless hands, but it certainly does take car of that. Hands now match the arms.
Still have the line on the legs, tho'. I just hang around with other bike riders, all with the same tan lines and then it's fine!

annie

[DeniseGoldberg]

I haven't worn gloves in over a year now............ except when its cold and I need them for warmth.
annie

There is one other use for gloves, and that is to protect your hands if you and your bike should happen to fall. I know, it doesn't happen that often - at least if you're riding on the road - but I like to have the extra protection. Of course, I also like a little bit of extra cushioning for my hands on the bike too.

--- Denise

[annie]

There is one other use for gloves, and that is to protect your hands if you and your bike should happen to fall. I know, it doesn't happen that often - at least if you're riding on the road - but I like to have the extra protection. Of course, I also like a little bit of extra cushioning for my hands on the bike too.

--- Denise

You are certainly right, Denise! And I know I should think about about that. Lord knows I've had my share of crashes. I just am not comfortable in gloves and have decided to take the chance. I don't necessarily recommend it. If, no- I should say WHEN - I do a long, self-supported ride, i will take gloves with me for sure, just in case days and days and days on the bike have more effect on my hands than it does in normal riding.

BTW, Denise, I read ALL of your journals on crazyguyonabike.com. It took some time, but definitely worth it! You are not just an awesome bike rider, you are an awesome writer! I enjoyed each journal immensely. You made it so real! Thank you for taking the time to write and share your experiences. The photos were great, too, but it was your narrative that was truly the treasure.

annie

[DeniseGoldberg]

BTW, Denise, I read ALL of your journals on crazyguyonabike.com. It took some time, but definitely worth it! You are not just an awesome bike rider, you are an awesome writer! I enjoyed each journal immensely. You made it so real! Thank you for taking the time to write and share your experiences. The photos were great, too, but it was your narrative that was truly the treasure.

annie

Annie -
Thanks so much for your comments. It's always fun to hear from people who have enjoyed my journals. It's funny, I started out on my first 2 trips with paper journals that I later transcribed. But I much prefer uploading my journal entries from the road. And either way, I just assume that I'm going to spend some time writing at the end of the day. It keeps the trip alive for me well beyond the end of the trip, and it allows me share my ride with family and friends, and new friends too - who I haven't met yet! Getting feedback from people while I was on my cross-country trip was awesome. And being greeted by Chuck in Yellowstone National Park - "Are you Denise?" - because he had been following my journal was just unbelieveable.

If - or maybe I should say when - you decide to try self-contained touring... if you have any questions I can help with, please ask away!

--- Denise

[caligurl]

There is one other use for gloves, and that is to protect your hands if you and your bike should happen to fall. I know, it doesn't happen that often - at least if you're riding on the road - but I like to have the extra protection. Of course, I also like a little bit of extra cushioning for my hands on the bike too.

--- Denise

yeppers! i know we never plan to fall.... but when we do.. or at least when i do... i'm glad to have my gloves!

[singletrackmind]

Thanks Bluemsmanager! I'll have to give the Jergens a try.

[MomOnBike]

I just don't have the grip (arthritis, carpel tunnel, generally unhealthy thumbs) to handle the grip shifts on my bike. The gloves make shifting possible.

I have some interesting tan lines, too. My wrists are all but black, from the gap between my long sleeves and the gloves, my hands look like I have some dread skin disease from the polka-dots left by the crocheted backs of my gloves, and let's not forget the white line around my chin/throat where my helmet strap goes.

I'm a multi-colored mess.

But, then again, I've always wanted to be one of those eccentric old ladies that other people make allowances for. I'm well on my way.

[tatormc]

Does anyone know of any gloves that don't come very far down the arm? I have PI Gel Light's and they cover about an inch of my arm. I'm looking for something a little shorter that would stop right at the bottom of the hand instead of coming down on the arm and leaving me with white wrists.

[caligurl]

i've given in... and now ride without gloves... my hands/arm tanline was HIDEOUS (still is there.. but my hands are catching up!)

i now have that line at my ankle and HATE it! but i don't see it as much as i do the wrist/hand one.... they need to invent cycling sandals (actually.. think i've seen then somewhere on the internet.. but not sure how safe they are!?)

[RoadRaven]

Does anyone know of any gloves that don't come very far down the arm? I have PI Gel Light's and they cover about an inch of my arm. I'm looking for something a little shorter that would stop right at the bottom of the hand instead of coming down on the arm and leaving me with white wrists.

So... my gloves wrap tight at the wrists with velcro, just the depth of the velcro... are you looking for something less than that?

[CorsairMac]

Does anyone know of any gloves that don't come very far down the arm? I have PI Gel Light's and they cover about an inch of my arm. I'm looking for something a little shorter that would stop right at the bottom of the hand instead of coming down on the arm and leaving me with white wrists.

Performance carries a crocheted back glove that ends right at the top of your wrists. I love them coz the backs have terry and cotton so I can use the whole surface of the glove to wipe my - ummmm - face! They're all of $6.99 I think but..........they will leave cute little brown dots all over the backs of your hands too! Which I'm looking at right now and getting a kick out of!

[CorsairMac]

Well, in the olden days we had gloves with crocheted backs (much cooler to wear). I found a pair at the PI outlet last year. Snatched them up so I can have teeny-tiny checkerboard tan spots.

Performance carries them still - I just saw them in their latest catalog and was seriously thinking about buying some.

[spazzdog]

... and lets not forget wiping your nose on the thumb part.