Santa Cruz, California, is an epic place to call home. The trails here are world class and the weather is temperate enough that you can ride year round. The only downside is poison oak. It's everywhere. If you enjoy being outdoors in the woods, you'll inevitably get it over the course of a summer.

To reduce that risk, it's important to take preventative measures. The chemical that causes the rash from poison oak is called urushiol oil and is also produced by poison ivy and sumac. It is viable even years after a plant has died and can be easily transmitted by objects that may have come into contact with it - like your shoes, tires, or grips. The only effective way of preventing a rash is to make sure you remove this oil from your skin. For tips on the best ways to do this, hit play.



For even more info on poison oak prevention (and some gnarly pictures) check out this post.