There is nothing quite like being on a motorcycle when the day is right.
The road opens up, the wind hits your face, the mountains sit blue in the distance, and for a little while, everything feels simpler. Just pavement, engine, sky, sun, and that wild little feeling of freedom that makes people understand why riders love the ride so much.
With the Haven House Poker Run coming up this Saturday, June 6th, we are celebrating all of that.
The bikes. The people. The leather. The laughter. The good cause. The wind-in-your-hair feeling that makes a regular road feel like an adventure.
But because we are Smitty’s Little Farm, we are also going to say the practical part out loud:
That wind feels amazing.
It can also be rough on your skin.
The Ride Is Beautiful. The Elements Are Not Always Gentle.
Motorcycle riding puts your skin right out in the world.
Sun. Wind. Dust. Dry air. Heat. Sweat. Road grit. Bugs. Yes, bugs. We are adults. We can admit what happens at highway speed.
Here on the Western Slope, the air is already dry, the sun is strong, and a long ride can leave your face, hands, lips, and arms feeling weather-worn by the end of the day. Even when the ride is absolutely worth it, your skin may come home feeling tight, dry, flushed, windburned, or just plain tired.
That does not mean you should stay home.
Absolutely not.
It just means your skin deserves a little before-and-after care, the same way your bike does.
You would not head out on a ride without thinking about fuel, tires, glasses, gloves, and the route. Skin care can be part of that same practical checklist.
Before the Ride: Give Your Skin a Fighting Chance
Before a long day out, start with clean, moisturized skin.
A good moisturizer helps your skin feel more comfortable before it faces wind, sun, and dry air. Think of it as laying down a little support before the elements start bossing your face around.
If you are going to be in the sun, sunscreen matters. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, apply it properly, and reapply as needed, especially if you are sweating or out for hours. A helmet, hat at stops, sunglasses, long sleeves, and gloves can also help reduce direct exposure.
For lips, bring something protective. Lips dry out fast in the wind, and nobody enjoys ending a beautiful ride with lips that feel like old parchment.
Hands matter too. Riders know hands take a beating from sun, wind, grips, gloves, washing, and weather. A little hand cream or balm before and after the ride can make a big difference in how your skin feels by evening.
During the Ride: The Wind Does Not Play Fair
Wind is sneaky.
It can make a hot day feel cooler, which means you may not notice how much sun and dry air you are getting. It can also strip moisture from exposed skin and leave you feeling tight or rough later.
That is part of why riders often come home with skin that feels dry, irritated, or wind-worn even if they were not out baking in the sun all day.
If you are stopping along the way, drink water. Reapply sunscreen. Check your lips. Give your hands a little attention if they are feeling dry.
This does not have to be precious or complicated. Nobody is asking you to do a twelve-step spa routine beside a row of motorcycles.
Just keep a few useful things in your bag: sunscreen, lip balm, water, and a small moisturizer or balm.
Practical beats fancy every time.
After the Ride: Wash Off the Road
After a long ride, your skin may have collected a fine little souvenir layer of dust, sweat, sunscreen, oil, and road grit.
The first step is simple: wash gently.
You do not need to scrub your face like you are sanding furniture. In fact, after wind and sun exposure, your skin may appreciate a softer approach. Use a gentle cleanser, rinse well, and avoid overly harsh exfoliation if your skin feels tender, dry, or flushed.
After cleansing, put moisture back in.
This is where a good cream, serum, or balm can feel especially welcome. Skin that has spent the day in sun and wind often wants comfort, moisture, and a little help feeling like itself again.
Smitty’s Ride-Ready Skin Favorites
For ride days, we would keep things simple.
Golden Emollient Cream is a good choice for skin that feels dry, rough, or weather-worn after time outside. It is rich, comforting, and made for the kind of dryness we know well here in Colorado.
Elaine’s Fancy Face Serum can fit beautifully into an after-wash routine when your face needs a little extra care and softness.
Magnesium Oil Spray is a favorite for many folks after a long day, especially when the body feels like it has been sitting, gripping, bracing, and holding on through every mile.
High Country Warming Balm is one of those practical, old-fashioned-feeling products that belongs in the cabinet of anyone who spends time outdoors, works hard, rides hard, or comes home feeling a little weathered.
And if your hands take the worst of it, do not ignore them. A good hand cream or balm after washing can help bring comfort back to dry, hard-working skin.
A Little Road-Worn Is Fine
We are not here to polish the life out of anybody.
A little sun, wind, dust, and road grit is part of the story. It is part of why a ride feels like a ride. Nobody comes home from a good motorcycle day looking like they spent six hours under a glass dome being misted by spa attendants.
And honestly, thank goodness.
There is beauty in being a little road-worn.
But there is also wisdom in taking care of yourself afterward.
That is what practical skincare is really about. Not vanity. Not fuss. Not pretending you live indoors under perfect lighting.
It is about helping your skin recover from the life you actually live.
The gardening. The market days. The dry Colorado air. The wind. The work. The rides. The long Saturdays. The sun on your arms and the dust on your boots.
Ride Hard. Come Home and Moisturize.
This Saturday, we hope the Haven House Poker Run is full of good people, beautiful bikes, safe miles, and that perfect feeling of being out on the road with the wind in your hair.
Enjoy the ride.
Wave at the other bikes.
Drink some water.
Wear your sunscreen.
Take care of your face, lips, and hands.
And when you get home, wash off the road and give your skin a little kindness.
Freedom feels good.
So does feeling less like a dried apple by bedtime.
Gentle Reminder
This article is for general skincare education and everyday self-care. It is not medical advice. If you have severe sunburn, blistering, persistent irritation, a rash, an allergic reaction, unusual skin changes, or ongoing discomfort, please check with a qualified healthcare professional.