Sun tan

[Champagne]

I went for a 2 and a half bike ride yesterday. I wore shorts and a vest top in the hope of catching a bit of sun. I managed to catch loads on my arms, face and back but absolutely none on my legs! This has been happening for weeks. What gives?

I look really odd with a tanned upper body and pastey white legs!

[dot.hawkes]

the skin on your legs is probably tougher than anywhere else and so is perhaps tanning in a much more subtle way. I guess.

[Pippa68]

I'm the same, Champers ~ I never catch any sun above the knees!

At the moment I am multicoloured :o(

[PinkFizz]

And I though it was just me!! My arms,back face are as brown as a berry,but my legs and feet are much lighter! In fact,I find it even harder to tan my feet than my legs!

[naz_nomad]

what's half a bike ride?

[VINNY100_2]

Trick is Champagne....best take yer stockings off before hand....hehe.....>>>>quickly does a runner>>>>>>(:-)
just put some fake stuff on.

[Pippa68]

Actually Pink my face is white as well ~ my face never tans..probably due to the sun block in my foundation LOL. I can't go out without my slap on :o(

[redcrx]

a half bike ride is where you only go down the hills and get a tow up the other side. Isnt that right Champagne?
I usually do 2 to make a full bike ride. :-)

[PinkFizz]

lol Pippa.I just put a bit of that tinted moisturiser on my legs last night and so this morn they look about the same colour as everywhere else.Had to laugh at the b/f tho - his face is as brown as a berry but when he got undressed last night his body is as white as milk - looked like a swan vesta!!

[Pippa68]

swan vesta...*snigger*

Mr Pippa is the same ~ he is quite dark skinned anyway..his face & arms are a lovely shade of brown, but the rest of his body is white (apart form his bits..why is that always dark? heh heh) I have suggested nudey sunbathing so we shall see ;o)

[PinkFizz]

god,I hope he doesn't burn his bits - ooouuucchhh!!!!

I wonder if those swimming costumes work that you are meant to tan thru and so avoid having white bits.

[Champagne]

Hahahahahahaha!! You're spot on Redcrx. Either that or it's going for a ride with 2 and a half bikes. Takes quite a bit of balance does that. ;o)

[Champagne]

I've been using that Johnson's Holiday Skin fake tan on my legs, Vinny. It makes absolutely no difference whatsoever!! I even bought the Nighttime one as that's when I usually apply it. I know I will eventually get some colour on my legs but I have to surrender myself to the fact that this will take a helluva lot longer than the rest of my body.

[whiffey]

I can't answer the legs question, because I always wear long trousers, all weathers, but as someone who spends half his life (gladly) on a bike, I tell you a few things I find important.

Wear a hat in strong sunshine. Carry wrap-around glasses for when you are cycling near trees etc, or where there are many insects. A fly smacking into your eyeball is very painful. Breathe through your nose, not open mouth (or cover it with a hanky) - again a fly, or worse a wasp, disappearing down your throat is very very unpleasant.

Carry a spare inner tube, tyre levers, and mini-pump when venturing far from home. Walking a bike with a flat tyre 4 miles home is a drag. Better, fit 'puncture-proof' tyres, such as Specialized Armadillo. I've had these on one of my bikes for 3 years now, never yet had a puncture. Pump your tyres up HARD especially for road use. I run at about 50psi. The ride is smoother and a hard-inflated tyre is less prone to puncture. Cycle with the ball of the foot, not the instep or heel.

Never be ashamed to get off and push when the going is tough ! I took my bike to Box Hill last week, I challenge anyone to cycle all the way up from the station to Polesden Lacy, especially in this heat.

Great fun cycling, liberating and predictable, no traffic jams......

[PinkFizz]

Champers - did you do a 2.5 mile or 2.5 hour bike ride?? Either way,in this heat........you're nuts!!! lol

[Champagne]

Thanks for the tips, Whiffey. I have a new bike so intend to use it more often. I did wear sunglasses but was with a girl friend so we talked the entire ride!!! No flies were swallowed though, thank goodness.

And it was 2.5 hours, Pinky. Along the Jubilee River from Datchet to Maidenhead (approx. 12 miles in total). I have back ache as a result! T'was very scenic though.