Rule 7

As the famous line from Star Wars goes, "With great power comes great responsibility".

For cyclists, with great weather comes great tan-lines. We wear clothes that, frankly, no-one else would... and when we're exposed to the sun, interesting things happen. Spring is in full swing here now, sun and all, and so it begins once again...

Naturally, your first reaction on first sight of your new tan lines after the first really sunny ride is going to be "Holy shit!", followed by "How can I cover these up?!". But is that so right? Is doing so not to cover up our identity as cyclists? I'm not alone here - 'The Rules' over on the Velominati site - a list that all road cyclists should be well aquainted with - seem to agree.

Rule #7 // Tan lines should be cultivated and kept razor sharp.  

Under no circumstances should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort to somehow diminish one’s tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are under no circumstances to be employed.

 So there you go - cultivate those lines! Wear them like a badge of honor!

Just don't be surprised when people think you have some kind of horrible cancer when you pay for something in a store and they glimpse the back of your hand...

Taking shape nicely: the result of wearing Rapha's Grand Tour Gloves - half-finger
gloves with holes on the knuckles and back of the hand - in the sun...