Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner

Fresh Tattoo... How many weeks do we need to wait to go back to cycling?

16K views 35 replies 22 participants last post by  BackWoodsHick  
#1 ·
I have a scheduled tattoo session this Sunday. It will be from shoulder to biceps down to elbow. My question is, how many days/weeks do we need to wait before we can go back to cycling?

Coz different tattoo artist have different approach and beliefs. I would like to ask those who had tattoos specially big ones. How long did you wait?
 
#2 ·
I have a roughly 6"x6" tattoo on my bicep. I asked the artist specifically about exercise, he said it was OK to get right back to it as long as you 1) keep it covered (clothes, not the bandage) 2) wash it off & moisturize after ASAP and 3) keep other people's sweat off it - yours is fine, but it could get infected. He said specifically, home gym & biking is fine but don't go to a public gym for a few weeks.
 
#5 ·
I have several tatt's and never once did my artist tell me to stop hitting the gym or riding. Keep is moisturized and use sun screen if it's exposed to the sun at all while it's healing.
 
#12 ·
I never took any time off of any activities after tattoo's except swimming for 2 weeks. I would lift weights the day after. Never had any issues. Obviously don't go sitting in a hot tub or anything like that. Some artist's told me use moisturizer, some tell me A&D ointment, other something else, etc. All opinions, not an exact science. You will be fine to ride your bike. Just don't crash!
 
#17 ·
This. Swimming and sun are the big things to avoid. I’ve never heard of anyone saying not to exercise, and I went back to hard, sweaty work within a day or two of each of my larger tattoos.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: gat3keeper
#19 ·
I'm mostly covered in tattoos (that's an old profile pic, my legs are covered to my feet). I usually waited a day or two just to get past the most touchy healing period, keeping things clean and covered during that time and then back on the bike. I kept my rides a little shorter than normal.

I do recommend avoid getting sun on new ink. Also avoid getting sun on old ink. Or just getting sun at all. I wear long sleeves and sunblock everything else.
 
#20 ·
i am heavily tattooed. both arms both legs chest and full back. mountain biking with a camelbak while i was getting my back done every 2 weeks actually helped the healing process and it healed faster than any other tattoo i’ve ever had. i think the soft abrasion from the jersey just allowed it to slowly peel. i wouldn’t hesitate riding the day after a tattoo appointment. just cover it up.
 
This post has been deleted
#29 ·
I'm not trying to be mean, and very well may be being mean to an AI bot....but bumping a 1 1/2 year old thread for your first post to promote a website should get you blocked immediately. That paragraph has to be AI....it doesn't even try to obfuscate the cheesy generic marketing lingo. :rolleyes: