faceGlove SUN FLEX
(a forthcoming variant of the faceGlove FLEX)
It has a pocket that grabs the tip of my nose without blocking the nostrils, and a bendable metal piece to hold it's shape in the center.
![pic of shade from faceGlove SUN FLEX](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.sstatic.net/ctZh9.jpg)
I finally got to go on a ride with this and I loved it! I rode for four hours with no sunscreen and it shaded all the areas on my face where I normally put sunscreen.
If I ever shave I'll cover my chin and lower cheeks with a light neck gaiter or balaclava intended for sun protection.
It looks a little silly but so does skin cancer and mineral sunscreen too unless I waste time rubbing it in really well.
It was 52F (11C) when I left home and 77F (25C) when I got back. Despite being a little darker grey than I'd normally choose, the faceGlove wasn't hot. Towards the end of the ride it started feeling slightly warm but I started sweating and that went away. I fear it will be hot at temps above 85F (30C) but I'll have to test that later in the summer.
I've been biking for decades but today was the first time I ever biked with my nose covered. Normally the wind makes a lot of turbulence around it and in my nostrils. Apparently that's a big part of what bothers me about the wind but I never knew.
I noticed immediately after turning onto the highway today that I could breath more easily than normal and within a couple miles I realized it was just more comfortable in general. The air in my nose felt still between breaths. Surprise #1!
Normally when I bike in weather below about 60-65F (15-18C) my nose runs like a faucet (google Russell Spout). It's a combination of allergies and cold rhinitus, which is the nose reacting to cold air as if it was an allergen. I use nasal sprays and still blow my nose a handful of times on every ride. On a bad ride I have to snot rocket both nostrils every mile.
This morning I forgot one of my nasal spray doses, so I only got half. Then I biked 59 miles (95km) thru pastures and ag fields where I normally get a runny nose. It warmed up fairly quickly but even so I would have blown my nose at least 4-5 times and that's with a normal dose of the nasal spray.
I didn't blow my nose at all today. Not even once! Surprise #2.
I don't understand why not and I'm even wondering if it's a freak coincidence. It does remind me of something I read on the Bikepacker's Foundry page about cold weather biking tho. It's the "EYE & FACE PROTECTION" section about halfway down the page. Here's an exerpt:
![screenshot from bikepackersfoundry.com](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.sstatic.net/UrIp1.jpg)
So he got the same result as me, "no runny nose." The only similarity I see is that we're both shielding our noses from the wind.
It seems too good to be true but I'm crossing my fingers that it keeps working and I really have solved the problem. After a few more successful test rides I'll probably accept this answer.
I hope this helps others enjoy biking more too, and I'll leave you with some pics of the faceGlove FLEX packaging.
![faceGlove FLEX packaging back](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.sstatic.net/LUwkQ.jpg)