A Wake-Up Call on Two Wheels: Why I Now Take Sun Protection Seriously
For most of my cycling life, I treated sun exposure like it was just part of the sport.
I rode for years under the Texas sun with dark arms, deep tan lines, and the attitude that sunscreen was optional. I figured if I was strong enough to handle long miles, heat, and headwinds, I could handle a little sun too.
That thinking caught up with me at age 69.
The Skin Check That Changed How I Ride
I went to a free skin check offered by a local hospital. I wasn’t worried. I didn’t go because something felt seriously wrong. I went because it seemed like a smart thing to do.
The dermatologist took one look at a spot and told me I needed to get it checked out right away.
I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. Thankfully, I caught it early and got treatment—but it was the wake-up call I should have had years earlier.
That diagnosis changed how I think about riding in the sun. Suddenly, skipping sunscreen didn’t feel tough. It felt stupid. I had spent decades protecting my heart, my legs, my hydration, and my recovery—and ignored my skin the whole time.
After my diagnosis, these became non-negotiable. This is the stuff I either use myself or would tell another cyclist to buy first.
Those two changes alone made a major difference in how I ride and how exposed my skin is on long days outside.
A lot of riders think a little sunscreen here and there is enough. It isn’t. If you ride regularly—especially in Texas or anywhere with harsh sun—you need a repeatable system: SPF 50+, UPF sleeves, scalp coverage, eye protection, and checkups. Skin damage adds up quietly for years.
My Cycling Sun Protection Routine Now
These days, I treat sun protection the same way I treat air in my tires and water in my bottles. It is just part of the ride. I do not skip it.
- SPF 50+ sunscreen: I put it on 15 to 20 minutes before I ride and reapply it every 2 hours on longer rides.
- UPF cooling arm sleeves: These are one of the biggest upgrades I made. They block the sun and make hot-weather riding more comfortable.
- Sunglasses with UV protection: Your eyes matter, and so does the skin around them.
- Helmet plus scalp coverage: I’m bald, so I use a skull cap or do-rag under my helmet. A burned scalp is no joke.
- SPF lip balm: Easy to forget. Easy to regret.
- Dermatology follow-ups: My dermatologist sees me every 4 to 6 months. I do not play around with that anymore.
If you are trying to protect your skin without overthinking it, start here:
I use La Roche-Posay because it was recommended by my dermatologist. That mattered to me.
Check today’s price on my sunscreenI wear Outdoor Essentials arm sleeves because they fit my arms better and give me better coverage. That alone solved one of my biggest complaints with sleeves.
Check today’s price on the arm sleeves I wearMy Full Sun-Protection Setup
If you want to copy the broader setup I use now, here are the categories that matter most.
- Dermatologist-recommended sunscreen – the sunscreen I use now.
- UPF cooling arm sleeves for cycling – browse more options if my exact sleeves are not the right fit.
- Outdoor Essentials arm sleeves – the longer sleeves I personally wear.
- Giro Fixture MIPS II helmet – the helmet I wear.
- UV-protection cycling sunglasses – protect your eyes and the skin around them.
- Helmet liner / skull cap / do-rag – especially important if you are bald or thinning on top.
- SPF lip balm – small item, easy win.
This Is Not About Vanity. It Is About Staying on the Bike.
When I was younger, I thought sunburns were just part of cycling. Now I know better. Skin damage builds slowly and shows up years later. By then, you may wish you had taken it more seriously.
As cyclists, we talk a lot about longevity. We want to keep riding into our 60s, 70s, and beyond. Protecting your skin belongs in that conversation right alongside fitness, recovery, visibility, hydration, and bike comfort.
Skin cancer does not care how many miles you have logged or how strong your legs are. It only cares how much damage has built up over time.
My Advice to Other Cyclists
Do not wait for a diagnosis or a scare before you get serious about this.
If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I would hand him two things before every ride: a good sunscreen and a pair of arm sleeves.
Simple rule: If you are disciplined enough to ride every week, be disciplined enough to protect your skin every week.
Start with the two upgrades that matter most: sunscreen you will actually use and sleeves you will actually wear.
Shop Sunscreen Shop Arm SleevesFAQ
Are arm sleeves really worth it for cyclists?
Yes. For me, they are one of the easiest upgrades you can make. They cover a lot of exposed skin, help with comfort in the heat, and remove the need to rely only on sunscreen on your arms.
Is sunscreen alone enough on long rides?
Not in my opinion. Sunscreen helps, but longer rides, sweating, and missed spots can leave you exposed. That is why I now combine sunscreen with sleeves, scalp protection, and sunglasses.
What SPF should cyclists use?
I use SPF 50+ and reapply it on long rides. If you have specific skin concerns or a history of skin cancer, talk with your dermatologist about what they recommend for you.
Note: I’m not a doctor. I’m a lifelong cyclist sharing what happened to me and what I do now. For personal medical advice, talk to a dermatologist or healthcare professional.
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