Fifty Plus (50+) - One reason to go fast.

I was thinking about this BF 50+ forum today while biking on my exercise Rail to Trail.
I did what I do most of the time: Go fast like 17 MPH average with a Hybrid and aerobars.

After 30 miles of that I contemplated: Perhaps I should slow down and look at the flowers and listen to the birds. That is the consensus in the 50+ group.

This trail goes through a swamp area.
After a few minutes of 13 - 15 MPH I said to my-selves: What is going on? All hell broke loose. The bugs descended upon me in unreasonable amounts. Biting me anywhere and getting in my eyes. It took me about 10 minutes of that to figure cause and effect.

I stepped up the speed to above 16 MPH. Problem was solved.
No kidding.

Think of the poor cyclist who rides through that same swamp who doesn't have a 16 mph gear.

Not that I have anyone in mind.

Think of the poor cyclist who rides through that same swamp who doesn't have a 16 mph gear.

Not that I have anyone in mind.
Or the poor soul who punctures.:cry:

Or the poor soul who punctures.:cry:

There were walkers.:eek: They were scratching their necks and waving branches.

There were walkers.:eek: They were scratching their necks and waving branches.


They are what is commonly referred to as bait.:D

Think of the poor cyclist who rides through that same swamp who doesn't have a 16 mph gear.

Not that I have anyone in mind.

Well, Tom, actually I was thinking of you. At the Broadhead terminal we overheard some recumbent bikers bitterly complaining of the bugs. My lovely wife said: What are they talking about? There are no bugs.
She is sitting on a tandem doing 18 to 25 MPH and observes that there are no bugs. Hmmm? I was wondering what Tom B. thinks?:);):D

Sounds like I should add some insect repellent to my bike bag.

They are what is commonly referred to as bait.:D

You know, I do not know when I came up with this.
I love being outdoors. Name an activity better suited to spending outdoors than biking.
You create your own breeze. It does not wear you out like running does. You do not have to spend a ton of money like golfing. You can run away from the bugs. You do see a lot of the country. You can eat like a pig. Drink like a fish. It is good for your CV system. You can do it Solo or Group.
The question I have: Why not more folks do it?
My thinking? Too lazy.

I learned a short while ago that at least mosquitoes are attracted more to one blood type
than the other. My daughter Karen and I are both Type A, my wife and other two daughters are not. As long as Karen or I go outdoors accompanied by one of the other three, we are not bothered by the little buggers nearly as much as the non-A blood type family members are. This has worked repeatedly. Of course, without tastier bait along, we become the main course.

Happy Trails

Think of the poor cyclist who rides through that same swamp who doesn't have a 16 mph gear.

Not that I have anyone in mind.

Your bike surely has 16 mph gears, it could be a 16 mph engine that is lacking

They are what is commonly referred to as bait.:D

I don't mind when they are bait, I only get upset when they are chum.

Deep Woods Off?

So, if I forget my energy bar, I just slow down and gulp down some free protein!! Those pesky critters could be a free lunch!!

Sounds like I should add some insect repellent to my bike bag.

Wisconsin has some mean bugs which go through clothes and some seem to be ignorant of the intended purpose of OFF.
Horse Flies, Wasps, Black Flies and some I do not know the name of are waiting for us to supply them with their meal.
All of them have speed limits. About 15 MPH.:D
A few days ago a Bumble Bee hit my lip (fortunatly closed mouth). I got a fat lip. My wife wanted to know where I have been:rolleyes:.

I stepped up the speed to above 16 MPH. Problem was solved.
No kidding.

Usually the bugs around here come in large swarms near the corn fields. Speeding up only means you hit the swarm a little faster and they sting a lot more:) I swear the other night I heard some of those bugs hanging on my jersey screaming "Wow, what a ride"!!!

Your bike surely has 16 mph gears, it could be a 16 mph engine that is lacking

Tom knows that. Don't rub it in. we have frequent dialog about that:).

Deep Woods Off?

I am curious. Have you found stuff which works for Horse Flies and Black Flies? These things go through clothes so you need to spray everything, clothes, hair and especially socks. Wisconsin in the North lake area is famous for that. We had German Visitors going to Lake Superior. They were bitten very badly. Really only two ways I know: Stay indoors in the evening or outrun them on a bike. They are not so bad in the sun. Very bad at night and before a storm.

Usually the bugs around here come in large swarms near the corn fields. Speeding up only means you hit the swarm a little faster and they sting a lot more:) I swear the other night I heard some of those bugs hanging on my jersey screaming "Wow, what a ride"!!!

I have had that experience with a strong headwind. The bugs feel like rain in that case. Some ladies have these sexy tops where the bugs go into the cleavage. Can you imagine? A wasp? Believe me there are many wasps. Amazing what people do to be attractive.
At 17 MPH Average I have no clinging bugs. At 20 MPH average I got other issues than worry about bugs.:)

I have had that experience with a strong headwind. The bugs feel like rain in that case. Some ladies have these sexy tops where the bugs go into the cleavage. Can you imagine? A wasp? Believe me there are many wasps. Amazing what people do to be attractive.
At 17 MPH Average I have no clinging bugs. At 20 MPH average I got other issues than worry about bugs.:)

If this discussion leads to a decline in that particular activity, I will hold you personally responsible. :mad: some things just shouldn't be messed with! ;)

Perhaps I should slow down and look at the flowers and listen to the birds. That is the consensus in the 50+ group.

I must have missed that poll.

Rollercoasters, motorcycles, sports cars, & bicycles all = fast in my book. When I want to slow down and enjoy the scenery I walk.

I must have missed that poll.

Rollercoasters, motorcycles, sports cars, & bicycles all = fast in my book. When I want to slow down and enjoy the scenery I walk.

Hey, that is great. Now I know that there are others like you. (There is jppe of course):):D

Occasionally I'll ride past a field where they're crop dusting or disking. The trick is to see how fast you can pass through the cloud while breathing as little as possible.

Occasionally I'll ride past a field where they're crop dusting or disking. The trick is to see how fast you can pass through the cloud while breathing as little as possible.

We have lots of pig farms around here where we do the same thing:eek:

I ate a bug last night. It wasn't bad, actually

Last week I was cruising along at 12 mph, when a bumblebee joined me. It buzzed around my handlebars for several seconds, almost like I was sitting still. I've also noted a few times in the past when I'm going around 12 when butterflies are flying right beside me, keeping pace. Until they flitter off the path.

I ate a bug last night. It wasn't bad, actually

I got hit by a big Moth or Butterfly in the face. It was big enough to cause a bruise requiring icing. Imagine eating that.:eek:

Last week I was cruising along at 12 mph, when a bumblebee joined me. It buzzed around my handlebars for several seconds, almost like I was sitting still. I've also noted a few times in the past when I'm going around 12 when butterflies are flying right beside me, keeping pace. Until they flitter off the path.

Tom- It sounds like you are synchronized with nature.;):)

OK, guys. Since I am almost retired (September 1, 2007) I will do my 46 miles again now.
See you guys tonight after the ride.:D

Tried to keep speed up tonight and managed it- Now one part of the Route is through a Dank Wooded Area. Even in day time there are swarms of black flies here and up till tonight- it has always been an area where I zip up to the neck- Keep my mouth closed and hope the flies do not get behind the goggles. Not tonight though. I was hammering it a bit but it made no difference. Swallowed the flies- I still itch like mad and Couldn't see through the glasses as I had my eyes closed for most of the time..

I am curious. Have you found stuff which works for Horse Flies and Black Flies?

Yes: Winter

I did what I do most of the time: Go fast like 17 MPH average with a Hybrid and aerobars.

A hybrid with aerobars?

I got hit by a big Moth or Butterfly in the face. It was big enough to cause a bruise requiring icing. Imagine eating that.:eek:

Put enough icing in the critter and it might taste allright! :D

A hybrid with aerobars?

Absolutely yes. The Hybrid is great for these WI Limestone Rail to Trails. I do them long distance. Minimum 46 miles as long as 100 miles. Going 100 miles against a strong wind is no fun unless you have aerobars. I use them any time I go against wind.
In another thread we discussed CF bike without shocks and 30-32 mm tires. I guess they call these bikes Cyclocross. This type of bike would be faster than my ten year old Hybrid and I am thinking to get such a bike soon.
It is only money.:rolleyes:

.................................................................................................... .... I was hammering it a bit but it made no difference. Swallowed the flies- I still itch like mad and Couldn't see through the glasses as I had my eyes closed for most of the time..

I guess that means that the English (or should I say British?) black flies are faster and meaner than the ones in Wisconsin. Hmmmm.........? ;) I think they may be all things considered.:D

The thing about blood types must apply to horseflies also. We were on a bike tour in France a couple of years ago. My wife was continually getting bitten by horseflies, I never got bit once. One day I was riding behind her (she was going maybe 12 mph) as we passed a field with cows. I looked up and there were 7 horseflies trailing her and gaining.

I guess that means that the English (or should I say British?) black flies are faster and meaner than the ones in Wisconsin. Hmmmm.........? ;) I think they may be all things considered.:D

They don't chase you- They just stay in one place and hitch a lift to the next Course on the Menu.

And as to your aero bars- Look at a Time trial bike- Flattish bars- Aero bars and they definitely work.

Gives you the best of both worlds-Aerodynamic for speed or headwind and comfort for cruising.

I actually enjoy the big yellow grasshoppers--catch a bunch, boil them about 30 seconds to kill them, put a little oil in a pan, add garlic, chili and a little lime juice and cook till they turn a bright red.

Great snack w/beer.:beer:

Although they are not the same type of grasshopper served in Oaxaca, they are quiet tasty!

Sounds like I should add some insect repellent to my bike bag.

last year, I took the family down to ride the Illinois Tunnel Hill Trail. The southern end is in a cypress swamp like area. We started at that end... got back, and dismounted. Fwoomp! (That's the sound 10 gajillion mosquitos make when they all land at once). Wife and kids got inside, and I had to load the bikes as follows:
Put one on the outermost cradle of our hitch rack. Run around the parking lot. Move it in a cradle, run around the lot. Contiued that until I had all four loaded. I now carry a small (think two film cans) can of Repel in the saddle bag. Just for flats on wooded trails...