Stories

Biking In Zion National Park

May 2, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

The majority of the National Parks in the United States are natural, preserved, beauties of Mother Nature. They are incredible works of geology, force, time, and nature that creates a place that mesmerizes all. One of these places is Zion National Park. Thousand foot vertical cliffs of varying colored sandstone eroded by millions of years of water erosion form a place of beauty, scale, intrigue, and depth that has your eyes captured from the second you arrive.

The majority of the National Parks in the United States don’t allow the riding of bicycles but Zion National Park is one exception. Biking in Zion National Park will be one of the most scenic rides you will ever do as you ride on the park road along the canyon floor which is surprisingly empty despite all the people due to vehicle restrictions. The biggest challenge is keeping your eyes, at least somewhat, on the road with the surrounding rock features, which go almost straight up from the canyon floor, that draw your eye every second.

Where and What Is Zion National Park

Zion National Park is situated in southern Utah in the western half of the United States. The area is a geological masterpiece with Bryce Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon National Park not too distant. Zion is a massive canyon, or rather multiple canyons, that were eroded by water cutting through soft layers of sandstone down to depths of over two thousand feet. The main canyon is wider at the bottom toward the entrance of the park and gradually becomes narrower and narrower further upstream to the point of which a person can no longer fit. Endless small canyons and gullies dart off the main canyon creating a place of forever exploration. The rock walls in the canyon are sought after the world over by rock climbers.

zion 1 — *Canyon wall straight up from the road.*

Where To Rent A Bike

To experience Zion by bike you will first need a bike. You will only be riding on paved surfaces (you can’t ride on the hiking trails) so a hybrid, cruiser, or road bike is ideal. There are no major climbs unless you choose to ride up to the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel which is a considerable climb but unnecessary to experience the majority of the canyon. To rent a bike in Zion, there are a few options:

-Zion Cycles: Located in downtown Springdale just outside the main park entrance.

-Zion Lodge: Zion Lodge in the park part way up the canyon offers bike rentals. To get there, you must either stay at the Zion Lodge to be allowed to drive to it or you must take the park bus up the canyon road from the Visitor Center. A great option if you only have a limited amount of time but still want to be able to go biking in Zion National Park.

Where To Start Your Ride

There are two main ways to experience Zion Canyon. The first is to drive your car into the park which costs $30 of which is good for a week. The second, and cheaper option, is to park in town, Springdale, or at the Visitors Center before you enter the park. You then cross a foot bridge where you can purchase a “walk-in” pass for $15. This is the best option as you can’t drive up the main park road into the canyon anyway. This is the best place to start your ride from.

Where To Go Biking In Zion National Park

From the Visitors Center there is the main, busy, park road along with the Pa’rus Trail which parallels the Virgin River up the canyon for a few miles. This trail connects to the main park road up the canyon that is only accessible by bus or Zion Lodge guest, which is part way up the canyon. Upon reaching the park road, you continue on up the canyon on the road. Buses pass the pickup points about once every fifteen minutes but since you are moving in the direction of the bus, it will be closer to every 20 to 25 minutes that a bus will pass. Expect 3 to 4 buses per hour to pass you to as few as one if you are riding a bit quicker. One requirement of the park for cyclist’s safety is that you pull over, completely off the road when a bus is passing. They will not pass you otherwise.

zion 2 — *The Pa’rus Trail where the first part of your ride will take you.*

You will continue riding approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) to the end of the park road at the Temple of Sinawava. The canyon continues but is only accessible via trail and then just by hiking up the Virgin River itself, often reserved for the warmer, low water level months of the year.

The road up the canyon is slightly up hill but is easily ridden by beginner cyclists and kids. The ride back down will be a bit quicker and you go the same way you came up the canyon back to the Visitors Center. If you are a more advanced rider, when you get back to the Pa’rus Trail you can take the road to the left up to the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. It is a substantial climb with wide, sweeping switchbacks but not overly steep. At the top of the climb you come to a long tunnel that goes through the cliff to the east side of the park. You cannot ride through the tunnel so can either turn around or hitchhike through. During the day, there is often a line of cars on both ends waiting to go through so asking for a ride should not be an issue. Rangers however will not provide or arrange for a ride.

zion 4 — *The park buses will also carry you bike should you want them to.*

Additional Riding

If you are looking to ride more after you’ve returned to the Visitor’s Center, you can ride along the road into town (Springdale). On the opposite side of town a bike path begins that parallels the road. This continues for a few miles but then just turns back into the main road. There are no other side roads close by due to the nature of the canyons. It is not advised to ride this main road despite the size of its shoulder as it can see a lot of tourist traffic.

The Ideal 2 or 3 Day Itinerary

Zion is a big park and taking two or three days to experience it is advised. The best way to include biking in Zion National Park is to arrive at the park by early afternoon, go and get settled at your lodging option, and then do a ride in the park. Later in the day, into the evening offers less people and traffic in the park not to mention the amazing alpenglow of twilight off the sandstone walls. Riding before you go into the park to hike and/or see allows you to experience the park for the first time from the bike giving you the greatest views and experience. It’s also a great way to get whatever drive you may have just completed out of your legs and to get the lay of the land before embarking on any major hikes, explorations, or climbs.

On the second day, take the bus in from the Visitor Center and do one or many of the numerous hikes in the canyon. If you didn’t check out the Visitor’s Center the first day, do it before you go up the canyon so you know a bit more about what you’re looking at and experiencing.

On the third day, if you’re lucky enough to have this many days in Zion, check out another hike or part of the park or even do the ride again or both. Just simply being in the park and seeing everything is incredible.

What Else To Do In The Park

-Angels Landing: Angels Landing is one of the feature hikes in the park that is sought out by most. The hike takes you along a ten to twenty foot wide spine with drops off either side of over 1,000 feet to the canyon floor below. The top takes in incredible views down and up the canyon. There are chains to assist your climb but you should make sure you are sure-footed and not afraid of heights. After going to the top, take the West Rim Trail for a little while to experience more of the park but away from all the people, particularly those going up Angels Landing.

zion 3 — *Angel’s Landing; quite the climb and view from the top.*

-Other Hikes: There are dozens of hikes ranging from easy walking trails to long, strenuous, overnight trips. This Zion Hiking Guide gives a great breakdown of hikes to do and their features.

-Mountain Bike Riding: You can’t go mountain biking in Zion National Park on the trails but surrounding Zion is an area that’s incredible for mountain biking. Biking Zion lists a few great trails to check out.

-Guided Bike Tours: If you’re looking for a guided tour, Biking Zion has a host of tours available from Family Rides, to Mountain Bike Rides, to Road Rides.

-Horseback Rides:You can also go horseback riding in the park ranging from one to three hours from March through October.

Where To Stay – Camping and Other Lodging Options

–Zion Ponderosa Ranch:This ranch is located outside the East entrance to the park high up on the plateau of which Zion Canyon is carved out of. Its amenities range from tent camping to luxurious cabins. Well worth the drive out of the park, away from all the people.

–National Park Campgrounds: Just inside the park boundary by the main entrance are two large campgrounds. One is first come, first serve, while the other accepts reservations although it’s advised to do that far in advance of your trip.

–Zion Lodge – In The Park: Zion Lodge is the only non-camping lodging option within the park and is located part-way up the canyon with spectacular views.

–In Town Options: There are a number of hotels in Springdale along with a privately owned campground both of which can be pricey depending upon the time of year.

–Airbnb: There are a number of Airbnb options located just outside the park in Springdale as well as in nearby towns.

Losing – If At First You Don’t Succeed

May 2, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

You win some you lose some. It’s always good to fail otherwise you never improve as much as you could. Losing makes you stronger and more determined. Go crash, go blow up on a climb, go bonk so hard you have to call someone to get home. It will make you a better rider as you’ll learn from experience and won’t want to make the same mistakes twice. Hopefully you learn some tips here on I Love Bicycling though to avoid making the same mistakes over and over again, unless of course losing is your style.

Cycling Can Be Difficult And Easy

May 1, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

When you have to ride a bike whether it’s racing, maybe at a higher level, or commuting, it can be one of the most challenging and testing things. When frustration and rage take over and all you want to do is throw you bike in the ditch and walk away, it’s not a good feeling to have. On the flip side when all you want to do is to get out and enjoy the ride, it can be the most fun you have all day. It’s the same thing, riding your bike, but the perspective is what changes it. Make sure you have the right perspective and always want to ride. Cycling can be difficult and it can be easy. Both is what makes it so unique.

The Benefits of Cycling – They Are Many

April 30, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

The benefits of cycling come in all different shapes and sizes. Whether you are riding to loose weight, to get to work, to save money, to just have fun, the benefits are endless. Find the reasons why you want to ride and use them to motivate you and get out the door on your bike each and every day. Can you make that a goal? Can you stick to it? You’ll see even more benefits even than what falls within this info-graphic from www.peoplepoweredmovement.org. What are some of the benefits you experience from cycling? Let us know in the comments below.

Unplanned Moments Are…

April 28, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

The unplanned moments on a ride are the ones you remember most and are part of what makes cycling great. They can be taking a wrong turn and finding a new, incredible road or getting caught in a thunderstorm that led to meeting an interesting, warm-hearted man or women someplace far from home. One way to get more moments outside the box of planning is to seek out rides where you can experience new roads, trails, and places. The bike is an incredible thing that can do more than just take you places. You never know what you will find and experience.

The Giants Head Grind Bike

April 28, 2016 by Lee Agur

Last year, Giants Head Grind welcomed almost 500 walkers and runners to participate in the 2nd Annual Giants Head Grind, Christopher Walker Memorial Race, and this year they’ve decided to add a bike element to the race. Participants now have the added option to “Bike the Grind” for $59/ person, or if you’re really feeling ambitious, you can “Hike & Bike the Grind” for $89/ person.

The Bike Course will begin on Lakeshore Drive beside Peach Orchard Park at 9 am on May 21, 2016.

The cost of entry includes the bike up the grind, event t-shirt, food (from Brodo…which is amazing) and prizes in the park. It is a great, not for profit, event that helps raise money for colon cancer and Summerland.

Please forward on to whoever you think may be interested. You can sign up here: http://giantsheadgrind.ca/participate/

A little background on how “The Grind” started:

In 2013, Rotarian Roch Fortin brought forward the need to raise funds for improving the trails on Summerland’s Giants Head Mountain. Ellen Walker-Matthews and her husband Tom Matthews, who had lost their son Christopher Walker to colon cancer that same year saw the possibility of creating a race that could raise funds for the mountain’s upkeep and at the same time keep their son’s memory alive by fund raising for Colorectal Cancer awareness and early detection . By encouraging physical outdoor activity and promoting health and wellness, Ellen and Tom knew they would be honoring the memory of Chris in a way that would have made him proud.

Family Friendly

All ages and abilities are more than welcome. This is a very family friendly event. There are two bike options:

1. Bike from the Park to the corner of Giants Head Road and Milne – this is just over 3km and is meant for the anyone who may be intimidated by the steepness of “The Giant”

2. Bike from the Park to the top of Giants Head

If you don’t choose to bike, then you can also walk/run/hike! Again, you are able to sign up here: http://giantsheadgrind.ca/participate/

Course Route Turn by Turn:

The Bike Course will begin on Lakeshore Drive beside Peach Orchard Park at 9 am. The cyclist will begin heading North and take a left up Peach Orchard Rd. At the top of Peach Orchard road the cyclists will enter the roundabout and exit heading South on Rosedale Ave (Third exit)

Heading south on Rosdale the cyclists will find another roundabout in 300 meters and will exit that roundabout heading east on Prairie Valley for 100 meters then taking the first right on Giants Head road. In another 300 meters you will take a sharp right up a steep road called Milne Road, at the top of Milne you will see the entrance to Giants Head on your left. Take the left and ride to the top!

Thank you for you help,

If you are looking for more information please visit the website: http://giantsheadgrind.ca/

If It Doesn’t Challenge You…

April 25, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

Find what challenges you on the bike. It will help make you a better rider. If you’re always comfortably cruising the same easy trails or straight forward roads, you’re not getting better. Better can mean faster but also smoother along with improving you’re overall riding ability. Challenge yourself with a harder ride at least once a week, if not more, be it a more technical trail or a road route with more hills than you’ve done before.

Best Gifts For Cyclists

April 25, 2016 by U.M.

If you are not all that familiar with the sport of cycling then it may be a little difficult to figure out what to look for when you are trying to get gifts for cyclists. Happily, there are many things that the average cyclist would love to receive that they may not have had the opportunity to buy for themselves.

With that in mind, we have taken a look at some great gifts for cyclists. How do we know what they would like? Well we are cycling enthusiasts ourselves so we figure that if it’s something that we would love to receive, then most cyclists are going to be more than happy to get the same gift as well.

AvenirWoodsie Minitool-11

Any adventure cyclist is likely to have a horror story about how they once suffered an issue with their bike that they couldn’t resolve because they didn’t have the right tools at their disposal. The story usually ends with a desperate search for whatever they need before they can finally get back on the bike and keep riding.

The AvenirWoodsie Minitool-11 aims to fix that problem by offering a range of essential cycling tools in a single, portable package that can be easily packed away ready for use if needed. Screwdrivers and chain tools are included in the package, making it an essential item for cyclists.

Cycloc Endo Bicycle Wall Rack

If you know that your friend lives in an apartment, or you happen to share a limited amount of space with a cycling enthusiast yourself, then you will know that storing a bike is one of the most difficult things to do when you are trying to conserve floor space. This is particularly the case if there is nowhere outside for you to safely keep the bike/s.

The Cycloc Endo Bicycle Wall Rack aims to remedy that issue by offering you a way to easily store you bike indoors so that the tires don’t touch the floor and the bike remains out of the way. For those living in more cozy conditions, it is an absolute lifesaver. Better yet, it’s quite cheap as well, so you won’t have to break the bank to pick one up.

Orontas Plant-Based BikeCare Products

For those who prefer the more natural things in life, there are few better bike maintenance products than this wonderful range of Orontas Plant-Based Bike Care Products, which make use of naturally occurring, plant-based products, all of which are completely biodegradable.

This is the perfect gift for that friend who cares about the environment and wants to do everything that they can to ensure that their cycling remains as green as possible. Orontas manufactures all of their products without the use of any fossil fuels, instead relying on wind power to generate the electricity they need to run their plants. Furthermore, they also use completely recyclable steel, so your cycling counterpart won’t have to simply toss the can away when they are finished with it.

Grease Monkey Degreaser Wipes

For any cyclist, keeping your bike clean can be a hassle and a challenge especially if you don’t have easy access to an outdoor hose. Wiping down your bike along with the components with a disposable wipe is the easiest and quickest way to get your bike clean as long as it’s not completely covered in grit or mud. It’s also handy to leave a few in the car. Anyone who rides will greatly appreciate this “best gifts for cyclists” product as many people don’t want to buy something that they are just going to throw out after it’s used.

Men’s and Women’s Cycling T-Shirt’s

Any cyclist loves a good cycling t-shirt that they can wear around their cycling friends or anyone for that matter. T-shirt’s aren’t always something people buy for themselves so they make for great gifts. Browse the selection for the slogan, color, and size your cycling counterpart would like.

Cycling Coffee Mugs

Cyclists drink a lot of coffee and if it’s not coffee, it’s another warm beverage. A cycling related coffee mug is one of the easiest and sure things to get for your cyclist friend/family member/significant other. With the variety of funny cycling slogans, you are sure to find one that makes for the perfect gift.

Bryton Sports – Rider 100 GPS Cycling Computer Review

April 3, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

Ten to fifteen years ago having a digital cyclocomputer on your handlebars to tell you how fast you were going and how far you had ridden was the thing to have. If you were keeping track of your riding you probably had a notebook full of rides you did with the date, how far you rode, how fast, and maybe your max and average heart rate if you had it. Those days may not be long gone for some but a GPS cyclocomputer has vastly changed the way we record, save, and share our rides. A GPS cyclocomputer uses satellites to sense where you are and your speed and records it second by second along with any other data you may want it to capture such as heart rate or power output. There are a number of GPS units in general for athletes out there along with ones that are more specific to cyclists. Garmin, you may have heard of them, seemingly dominates the market but there are other quality products out there of smaller companies that are just as good if not better in some regards. Bryton Sports is one of those companies you may not yet have heard of. They’ve been around for a few years and have had time to develop an array of products ranging from simple GPS watches for running to touchscreen head-units for cycling all while using their innovative maps and dashboard platform. The GPS Cyclocomputer from Bryton Sports that we tested was the Rider 100 GPS Cycling Computer.

What is the Bryton Sports Rider 100 GPS Cycling Computer?

The Rider 100 GPS Cycling Computer is a cycling specific, handlebar mounted computer that automatically detects movement and displays your speed, the distance you have traveled, the total time you’ve been riding, and many other customizable things such as heart rate and cadence. It also tracks your ride for easy upload and viewing afterwards whether it is on Bryton Sports dashboard or your preferred ride sharing site such as Strava, MapMyRide, Training Peaks, Fit Track, or others. It offers great value for it’s price with 36 automatic and customizable data points at just $70Usd for the basic model, the Rider 100E.

Features

High-sensitivity GPS receiver for fast positioning.
No speed sensor installation needed. Just power on and go.
Slim and lightweight design.
IPX7 waterproof
Large and easy-to-read display
7 customizable data screen with maximum of 5 data per page
Compatible with ANT+ HR monitor, speed and cadence sensors.
Anti-glare display for daytime and clear backlight for night rides.
FIT file format for viewing stats on Bryton’s Dashboard or uploading to Strava, Training Peaks, or Fit Track.
25 hour battery life. USB recharge.
300 hour log history. 130 laps maximum.
A variety of ways to mount on your handlebars/stem.

bryton gps 2 — The Bryton Sports Rider 100 Cycling Computer automatically detects darkness and lights up the rear display to view the data. The computer also stays on securely down the bumpiest of roads, gnarly dirt included.

Facts and Opinion

The computer was very easy to set up, mount, and quickly found satellite reception. The computer tells you that it sensed motion and asks if you want it to start recording. You can change the specifications to record while in motion or to record the entire time. Interval or lap times are easy to start with the push of the large orange button in the middle. It’s easy to access the main menu (press the back and page button at the same time) to view history or to change the settings. You can download software on your computer to manage updates and GPS data but you can create a free Bryton account on their website to upload your data and have it stored and managed on their online platform which includes detailed maps. With the maps, you can also create customizable routes which can be uploaded to some of Bryton’s devices although the Rider 100 is not one of them. From the platform you can then easily view your ride and upload it to Strava, MapMyRide, Training Peaks, Fit Track, or another site.

Pros

Very accurate location and speed sensing.
Easy to mount with a variety of sized rubber straps.
Secure mount, even over the roughest of terrain.
Automatic backlight display in low light conditions.
Screen automatically adjusts to the number of inputs: speed, distance, heart rate, etc.
Easy uploads to Strava, TrainingPeaks, other platforms, or downloadable .gpx, .kml, .kmz, .bdx, .tcx files.
Automatically picks up your heart rate monitor if you are riding with one.
Is waterproof. (rode in a considerable downpour for a few hours without issue.)

bryton gps 3 — The GPS is very sensitive as you can see on the Bryton Sports Dashboard where you can see which side of the road I was on at the turn. And the road was not very wide. Furthermore you can also see the compilation of all the data in an easy to use platform.

Cons

The rubber mounting straps seem like they can break due to their slenderness. (They have not however after a few weeks of testing and everyday riding.)
The Rider 100 does not pair with a power meter which is unfortunate if you have one as you then have to ride with two computers on your handlebars/stem.
The computer does not turn off right away after you come to a stop even after a few minutes which drains the battery.
No other negatives to it. This computer does what you expect and does it well.

Price & Where to Buy

The Bryton Sports Rider 100 Cycling Computer is at a very good price for what you get and how it compares to Garmin. It retails for $70Usd and you can purchase it here.

Sun Protection Cycling – The Truth About Sunscreen

April 3, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

Summer is coming fast. There’s nothing like the hot summer sun, baking your skin as you glide down a remote stretch of blacktop. But are you really ready for it? Sun protection cycling; the truth about sunscreen faces some cold, hard facts about skin damage. Forward-thinking cyclists should react appropriately.

Statistics Prove It

Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. It’s estimated that more than 8,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. Skin cancer in Australia is nearly four times higher than the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In Australia for example, 434,000 people are treated for non-melanoma skin cancers each year, of which 420 will die. The melanoma figures are worse, with 10,300 treated and 1,430 dying each year. To put it bluntly, skin cancer is far more dangerous to your health than cycling.

Cold Hard Facts

Caucasians and men older than 50 have a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population
Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old
Melanoma is increasing faster in females 15-29 years old than in males of the same age group
Invasive melanoma is projected to be the fifth most common cancer for men (46,870 cases) and the seventh most common cancer for women (29,510 cases) in 2016.
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the two most common forms of skin cancer, are highly curable if detected early and treated properly
Approximately 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma. On average, one American dies from melanoma every hour.

Sun Protection Cycling – The Truth About Sunscreen

Now that you’re scared to death, you don’t have to succumb to it. Take protective measures. Fortunately, experienced cyclists can learn a host of methods to help avoid the threat of skin cancer. Scott B. Phillips, MD, in the Department of Dermatology at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Chicago, IL, has studied skin damage faced by endurance athletes. Dr. Phillips provides some key strategies for anyone who exercises in the sun.

“Train early and/or late in the day, even if it means breaking workouts into two sessions.” Says Dr. Phillips. “From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., try to stay out of the sun. Do the bulk of your exercise before and after work, and sometimes during lunch hour”, says Dr. Phillips. “But if you’re out for hours on weekends, perhaps on a five- or six-hour bike ride, always use sun protection.”

The Basics

Dr. Phillips has these basic tips for avoiding skin damage and cancer.

During training, cover as much skin as possible, wearing sweatpants or at least long shorts, and a long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt. Wear socks to soak up sweat and absorb impact as well as block the sun; wear them as high up on your leg as possible. And shield your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses. And always wear a helmet when biking, for both sun protection and crash protection.
Use an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen on all exposed skin, up to 6:30 p.m. or later on a summer’s day, even when it is cloudy. (The sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays go through clouds.) “I recommend alcohol-based sunscreens for the face, because they’re more resistant to sweating,” says Dr. Phillips. “I also like to apply stick sunscreens around the eyes, since they are almost impervious to sweating.”

What to Look For

Okay, so you’re older and may have already damaged your skin. The American Academy of Dermatology encourages everyone to perform skin self-exams to check for signs of skin cancer and to get a skin exam from a doctor. A dermatologist can make individual recommendations as to how often a person needs these exams based on risk factors including skin type, history of sun exposure, and family history. Here’s what to look for:

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, especially a new growth or a sore that doesn’t heal. The cancer may start as a small, smooth, shiny, pale or waxy lump. It also may appear as a firm red lump. Sometimes, the lump bleeds or develops a crust.
Both basal and squamous cell cancers are found mainly on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun — the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. But skin cancer can occur anywhere.
An early warning sign of skin cancer is the development of an actinic keratosis, a precancerous skin lesion caused by chronic sun exposure. These lesions are typically pink or red in color and rough or scaly to the touch. They occur on sun-exposed areas of the skin such as the face, scalp, ears, backs of hands, or forearms.
Actinic keratoses may start as small, red flat spots but grow larger and become scaly or thick if untreated. Sometimes they’re easier to feel than to see. There may be multiple lesions next to each other.

Ultraviolet Protection Factor

UPF or “ultraviolet protection factor” is the rating system used for apparel. It indicates how effectively fabrics shield skin from ultraviolet rays or UV. The higher the UPF number, the greater degree of UV protection a garment offers. UPF gauges a fabric’s effectiveness against ultraviolet radiation from the sun, or UV light. The UPF rating on clothing indicates what fraction of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can penetrate the fabric. A jersey with a UPF of 50, for example, allows just 1/50th of the sun’s UV radiation to reach the skin.

Sun Protection Factor

SPF or “sun protection factor”, is the rating system used for sunscreen. An SPF number pertains to a sunscreen’s effectiveness against the sunburn-causing segment of ultraviolet radiation or sunlight. Theoretically, the SPF number indicates how long you can stay in the sun before your skin reddens.

Do You Need UPF Rated Jerseys?

“You might get fine UV protection from a regular piece of clothing,” says Dr. Martin A. Weinstock, professor of Dermatology and Community Health at Brown University Medical School and the chairman of the Skin Cancer Advisory Group of the American Cancer Society. “But with UPF-rated clothing, you’re assuring that protection.”

Dr. Doug Grossman from Huntsman Cancer Institute puts it this way: ” I tell patients that if they can hold the material up to the light in the room and still see through that, the pattern of the light bulbs for instance, then too much is getting through. Most clothing would be sufficient, but you want something appropriate for the activity you’re doing. So if you’re going to be biking, then a biking jersey.” His advice for adding sunscreen to your body as well as clothing is as follows: “The idea is to protect as much skin as you can with clothing and be comfortable and that minimizes the areas that you then need to apply sunscreen too.”

Don’t Let it Keep You From Riding

The benefits gained from cycling outweigh the chances that you’ll wind up with skin cancer. Don’t let it keep you off your bike. With sun protection cycling products it’s easy to get out there and enjoy yourself. It’s not a reason to avoid riding.