Modern Vespa

I feel like an X-Men character who has a superpower...except my 'superpower' is my ability to get sunburned in under 15 minutes. Not exaggerating. This does not result in desirable results when forced to live in the Loss Vegas Valley. In summer.

I've been searching & reading through a ton of MV threads on hot weather gear, brain buckets, cooling vests, etc. but I can't seem to find anything specifically about neck protection for sunburn.

I can deal with wearing a white, long-sleeve tshirt but for my neck...I don't want to wear a bandana, towel or a donut-shaped solid block of ice. Do I have to go with a turtleneck shirt or does someone make something different? I'm wondering if there might be a paintball outfitter that might make something neoprene-ish that could work?

What do you guys & gals wear? Any ideas for me? It's already hitting ninety-friggin-four degrees here today. Please help! All suggestions are very much appreciated.
Damn I hate the desert.

I use Sunscreen. Works best to apply 30 minutes before leaving the house. It takes time for it to absorb into the skin and become active. Which means putting it on when you are getting ready to get on your scooter gives you a 30 minute of exposure before it sets in.

I think for comfort sake, you ought to consider a surf rash guard. They are thin and have turtleneck versions. They can be breathable as well.

http://www.jackssurfboards.com/wetsuits_mens_rashguards/o-neill/Skins-S-S-Turtleneck-Rashguard/002%7C/3523/?gclid=CPz91YKU1L0CFcg7MgodrjcAPQ

You can also get UV shirts which have the wicking. Google UV wear and you can find tons of sources.

Last....

http://www.coolibar.com/product/Men/Fitness/Sun-Gaiter/pc/2146/c/0/sc/2334/155711.uts

Looks a little odd but would do the job well.

I can bore people to death.

Bill x

Born in Chicago to Mexican Parents. Winters are not fun at all. My skin gets crazy dry. To an obscene extent. My genetics are built for warm climates. I get ashy like crazy here.

Only time i'm ok is Summer because the sun and humidity agree with me. My skin clears up and I get a golden brown tone.

I don't think the surfer's option is quite high enough but that coolibar thing looks perfect...thank you!

Sorry Bill Dog...I know you were probably expecting me to be able to turn water into Guinness or something but I'm not quite there yet. haha

To show my gratitude to everyone, may I suggest a uniquely delicious & refreshing summertime recipe I've recently been enjoying? Instead of a 'Half & Half' (Guinness & Bass Ale) I've been enjoying what I call a 'Black Strawberry' which is Guinness Draught & Abita Strawberry Harvest. If you can't get ahold of the Abita, you can substitute Sam Adams Cherry Wheat thereby creating a 'Black Cherry'...equally as good & slightly higher alcohol content. Not that any of you are drinkers of course.

94 degrees?
94 - 32 = 62 / 9 x 5 = 34.4*C.
Oh I get it, you must commute before 7am.


Only kidding mate! I just love the desert, I'm a bit like Rudechem, winter makes me feel oddly alien, my body acts up and I'm out looking for warmth on a rock. When I was a boy my Oma pointed and always said "Look you, that one has Gypsy blood".

When it gets hot here and I ride home from work mid afternoon I have the sun at my back, so it's important to protect the skin there. I have a 1 hour commute, and that is more than enough to get a sunburnt neck badly riding scoots and bikes out here........
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=murchison+pics+west+australia&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=6q5FU47FLoTQkgXzq4DAAQ&ved=0CCcQsAQ&biw=1302&bih=908#imgdii=_

Worse than that though, and don't take this lightly, the heat can get into the system pretty quick and over heat your core body temp, then you're toast.
Gloves and jackets with mesh vents help, decent breathing helmets with airflow are a must, etc. Remember it's like getting black leathers on then going out to sit still on a park bench in 120F+ for over an hour.

Could I please recommend this item to you as a godsend for those of us unfortunate enough to happen to live well outside established genetic boundaries?
http://polarbreezebandanas.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Therapy-Cooling-Bandana-Scarf/dp/B004XX4XA8
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Grabber-Magic-Cool-Cooling-Bandana-Khaki/15935557

Yes, they work amazingly well (well, the ones I buy out here do anyway!).
Hope this all helps.
Think snowfields and alpine meadows.........I'll be out looking for a warm rock.

I just did a google search for "neck coolers" and it brought up several brands and types. Might be worth researching.

i use childrens' waterproof sunscreen SPF 50 on my neck - i actually use it pretty much everywhere when i go running in the summer. stays put much longer than adult sunscreen. you can also get a variety of UV protective Buffs - clicky

On the bike, a buff every time. It keeps the sun off my neck and keeps me from getting helmet head. I'm bald so I don't suffer from helmet hair, but get helmet lines all over my head.

Off the bike, a wide brim hat that covers my head and neck and I use sunscreen. Don't forget to reapply.

My superpower is getting lost. Two directions, I will always pick the wrong one.

Can't find my way out of a paper bag.

now that is interesting. Bill's superpower is always picking the right direction. he is like a human satnav. whenever we're in doubt about which direction to proceed, his instinct always turns out to be right. even in places he's never visited before

I still can't believe that I rode 1038 miles within 24 hours around France without a map.

Mind you I had to ask where the Hotel was.

Bill x

That's a good power. Next time we see you and Bill, we need to put this to a test and see if I can cancel out his powers of navigation.

I've found a few options via LL Bean & REI also...I was just wondering what the resident scootering folk used. Thanks for all the ideas everyone.

I don't burn that fast but it doesn't take long, compounded by not using sunscreen most of the time. I see my dermatologist regularly and she makes a living by cutting little things off of me. Nothing bad yet except some Basil Cell on my leg. The minor surgery was easy, but the adhesive on the bandage left a permanent scar.

As for superpowers, I have none. I am always happy when I make it through the work day and get home after a long ride.

I have the uncanny ability to state the obvious.

I have a finely tuned bullshit detector. Comes from being a public school teacher for 32 years.

Here's a neck option you might want to check out:http://www.mcas.com.au/motorcycle-clothing-road-clothing-accessories/dainese-cilindro-ws-mask-neck-warmer

Is it a superpower if every other man can do it too?

Oh c'mon. . . that can't be true. . . can it?

i keep the sun off my neck by wearing a soft billed, very lightweight cap backwards. mine is made by gramicci, but this welder's cap looks nice: http://www.cleanitsupply.com/p-55852/comeaux-single-sided-soft-brim-comfort-crown-cap-cotton-assorted-colors-size-7-14-cmx1000714.aspx?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CL6ApvXr1b0CFYY7MgodkSkAtA

under my helmet, i should add.

Bandanas - wet em down and they'll keep you cool also. Lots of new options listed above though. And it's versatile. I've always got a few around...

So the "Dog" always turns right? Wouldn't work down here in NASCAR country 'cause we always turn left!

LL Bean makes a Sun Proof line. Long sleeve shirts that give you SPF 50. Wear a hat that has a visor and covers the back of your neck. They have them at Kaiser. L may have them also. Wear socks. Sandals with bare feet can cause a brutal sunburn on the tops of your feet. I never get burned. Area will get warm and then turn to tan. Weird because i have a light complexion. Good luck

Neck gaiter, also known as a "buff." I received one for Christmas one year, supplied from Touratech. It is a very lightweight fabric tube and can be used to cover as much of a person's neck as one desires. It is surprisingly cool, as well.

Get the buff wet... cools down all those blood vessels in your neck.

I discovered my super power today. I discovered that I can predict whether the weather forecast is for rain without checking the weather report.

I ride to work, and if there are no other motorcycles in the parking lot, rain is in the forecast.

Everett falls well within the Portland to Bellingham rain belt so if it's not June, July or August you've got a good shot at being right. I lived in Tacoma for a few years so I shared your superpower for a while. It was FAR preferable to my present superpower.

Interesting... No downloadable yearly update necessary?

I have premonitions in my dreams sometimes. It never works to my advantage though. It happens after the fact. It's like oh I've dreamt about that before after it happens.

As an albino vampire who dares not venture out in daylight, I recommend:

Solumbra products at:
http://www.sunprecautions.com/

Neat covering gizmos for neck, arms and what-have-you.


Beats bursting into flames in front of your date.

Thor
300 GTS Chick Magnet Device

Are you part pigeon?

I don't typically burn that easily, I hate, too lazy to use, sunscreen, after a lifetime of working outdoors I do have my skin issues.
A bandanna has always served me well, can always wet it as well in hot weather for a modicum of cooling effect.
At some point my son gave me one of these http://www.rangerjoes.com/Spec-Ops-Recon-Wrap-P1111.aspx I find it comfortable for year round use as well.

Actually, I lived in France for three years and it's surprisingly easy to navigate because the French LOVE signs. If you have a general idea of where you are going and know what large city you are heading toward, you can find your way around. I bought a Tom Tom when I lived there and it was useful but in the end, I didn't need it a lot. I do have one advantage as I speak French.