Dust in everything, sun on everything, and a thumb that's done by lunch.

Vibration, dust and sun.

An ATV throttle sits under the thumb, and holding it for hours wears out the thumb, the web of the hand and the forearm. Side-by-sides spare the thumb but shake the hands on the wheel for just as long. Everyone eats dust, and dust dries skin and gets into every scrape. The sun hits arms, necks and faces all day, often with no shade at all.

The routine is simple. Cover up for the sun once and forget it. Shake out the thumb and hands at every stop. Cool down with Cleanse spray at the end of the day, put water back into the skin, and look after the thumb and forearms that held on. Central Oregon is OHV country, from the high desert trails to the dunes.