Is there anything better than enjoying a ride on your motorcycle in beautiful weather? Although the sun makes for great riding, it's very easy to get a sunburn if you're not careful.
According to the Government of Canada's website, overexposure to the sun and UV radiation can have adverse health effects including sunburn and skin cancer. Since we are fully exposed to the sun while on our motorcycles, we have to take extra caution.
3 Great Tips to Remember if Riding in the Sun
#1 Sunscreen
Applying sunscreen before heading out on the road should always be your first step! Physical pain isn’t the only downside from a nasty sunburn. Sunburns can cause serious long-term health concerns including melanoma (skin cancer) which can be deadly. If you protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays with sunscreen this can be avoidable! Ensure you are reapplying sunscreen every couple of hours as the effects do wear off. Another safety issue from being unprotected from the sun is heat exhaustion. This can be very dangerous while riding and should be a priority to avoid!
#2 UV Protective Clothing and Sunglasses
Sunscreen is always the first step to sun protection but UV rays from the sun can still penetrate through t-shirts and other clothing items. To be extra cautious you can wear clothing that is specifically made to protect you from those harmful UV rays and keep you cool. Shirts made from solar protective material are measured with an Ultraviolet Protective Factor, or UPF, rating and are similar to sunscreen. Make sure to get clothing with a UPF50 rating to be protected against 90% of the harmful rays. Another item to assist your protection is sunglasses! But make sure to pair these with sunscreen to avoid pesky raccoon eye tan lines! Helmet face shields are also available with a UV coating for some protection instead of sunglasses!
#3 Selective Ride Times
Keep the sun's schedule in mind before you head out on your ride. If you can, avoid riding during peak hours of the sun which is usually between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you have to head out during this time and you'll be riding for an extended period of time, remember to reapply sunscreen and stop for water breaks. It's also important to stay hydrated.
There are many options that you can choose from or you can pair these tips to be extra cautious! Summer rides are what we look forward to all winter but make sure you are getting the most out of these summer months by staying cool while riding.
Source: www.motorcycle-central.com
