I’ve written before about cyclists and our tan lines. See here.
I manage to avoid sharp tan lines on my arms thanks to arm coolers and sunscreen but my legs are another matter.
This year my cycling short tan lines really came into their own on the Friends for Life Bike Rally. Six days of riding in heat alert conditions will do that. Each day we rolled into the campsite, stashed our bikes, and changed into our bathing suits and hit the lake.
Each day I noted the expanse of white thigh between my bathing suit bottom and my tanned cycling legs and each day it got worse. And this year since my favorite pairs of bib shorts are different lengths, I even got the two tone version.
After the rally I hit the beach at the Pinery with friends, family, and dog and by then it was pretty remarkable. There’s no big solution. I’m not sure I’m even looking for one. I ride my bike a lot and it shows.
I’m not usually a big fan of the many rules of cycling but these days it seems I’m doing well by rule 7.
Rule #7 // Tan lines should be cultivated and kept razor sharp.
Under no circumstances should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort to somehow diminish one’s tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are under no circumstances to be employed.
What’s your strategy for cycling’s distinctive tan lines? Love them or hate them?
I think it’s pretty cool body art – no toxic ink absorbed into your skin : )
I both use a ton of sunscreen and don’t tan much anyway, so my tan lines are minimal; also I violate one of THE RULES by wearing sleeveless jerseys, further blurring things. And finally, because of kayaking, my tan is completely confused, with parts of legs getting sun and other parts being protected by the boat. So I say enjoy your tan lines– they’re are (as Susan above says), nature’s body art…
very cool!
I’m so impressed by how distinctive your tan lines are! Proof of serious dedication to the cycling life right there.
I have three levels of tan lines – bikini bottom, running shorts and cycling shorts. It looks hilarious when I wear my training swimsuit, which has high-cut legs. I’ve tried to make them sharp but they’re unfortunately pretty fuzzy. Oh well. Maybe they’ll be sharp after this weekend’s scheduled 70-mile bike ride…