General Cycling Discussion - bug season again...how do you breathe?

I'd have to say that the bug factor is second only to humidity on my list of summer cycling gripes. It's not even 'real' bug season yet and already I have to do that thing where you try to strain the air through your teeth as you suck in, trying to keep out winged things. This just doesn't let me get the amount of air that I need, especially on climbs and long sprints. Even worse is the fact that I often don't have the time for a day ride during the summer and so I do many rides at night...when the air is thick with unwanted flying things that don't belong in my trachea. What works for you ? Sometimes it's bad enough to make you consider a mask (think SARS).

Chew, swallow and hope it doesn't bite or sting!!!

apply bug spray to the area around your nose and mouth... LOL j/k. I don't live in a very bug-infested area so i don't really need to worry.

How about wearing mosquito netting over your face?

Keep your head down and just hammer!

Cut down on red meat--you'll be getting protein enough.

http://abcsafetyglasses.com/mly-s1020.html

how do you breathe?

In through the nose, out the mouth!:D

There's just nothing like getting a bug stuck in the back of your throat!

Not much can be done, really.
I breath through the nose, havent had too big hells yet. When I was riding a motorcycle, I had to stop sometimes to clean off dead bugs of the shield of the full face helmet. Several times a bee hit my neck and went straight inside the helmet. Same can happen with a loose shirt or even bike helmet. :)
Really, have you actually tried masquitto net or a respirator?

A whistle in the teeth. I never have a breathing problem.

But I've had a few insects bounce off my whistle.

Nice idea.
Any tube that faces the opposite way would also work! :D:D

Yeah, this time of year I ride with a snorkel! :D

Make sure to hydrate adequately, so you don't run out of spit as you peddle down the street, trying to hhawk out the bits of junebug you still feel sure must be in there.....

Originally posted by Inkwolf
Make sure to hydrate adequately, so you don't run out of spit as you peddle down the street, trying to hhawk out the bits of junebug you still feel sure must be in there.....
Junebugs?

(Gosh, those are BIG!)

:eek:

I hate June bugs. We had them when we lived in Tx. They always seemed to track me down and dive bomb me I cant imagine having one fly in my mouth. And I am one of those people who isnt affraid to try new and strange foods.

If the high winds and rain continue bugs may not be a problem this year:D
What I hate most is getting bitten, especially when you ride into a swarm.
Why are ladybugs always 'catching a ride'? Seems like every time I look down a ladybug is on me during a ride.

once I had a beetle of some sort go straight down my pipe, and the damn thing got hung on that dangly little item at the back of your throat...your uvula I believe... anyway he latched on and no matter how much retching and water I sloshed down I couldn't get any relief for about ten minutes. Then I had this residual buglike essence in my mouth...like when you run over a stinkbug while mowing the lawn.

On some occasions I have resorted to wearing a bandana over my mouth on evening rides. Maybe I should get some spurs and a sidearm too.

...maybe wear one of those things over your mouth like Hannibal Lechter...

:eek:

Originally posted by psycholist


On some occasions I have resorted to wearing a bandana over my mouth on evening rides. Maybe I should get some spurs and a sidearm too.

I like the bandana idea!

You live in a state that is terrible if you are into gun rights, thanks to Chicago. It's one of the few non concealed carry states left. So unless you feel like becoming a criminal, a sidearm is a bad idea. In other words, only bad guys carry guns in IL.

Just across the border in Indiana, permits are easy to get if you have a clean record! Then you can carry a firearm most anywhere!

CranialCrusader