Fifty Plus (50+) - Bee sting

Have the traditional bike helmet, took in a bee this weekend. Hit my helmet, stunned 'em, blew inside and proceeded to sting me on th head. :eek: Any thoughts on simple prevention

Sorry, but I can't help but to offer related advice: once the hill is over, ZIP BACK UP. I saw the bee about 3 ft out @35km/hr, and thunk into my chest an eyeblink later. It dropped down into the jersey and I was frantically trying to squish it by grabbing handfuls of the front of the jersey. Not sure about the success at that, I got my answer about 3 seconds later: stung in the kidney area, more towards the back. So I did the squishing thing in the back of the jersey just in case it wasn't dead from the sting. A little pain and redness but it didn't really interfere with the rest of the ride.

The funny part was taking my jersey off at home about 25km later (an hour or so). Bee (a bumblebee) falls out, still alive on my bedroom carpet. He's hitched quite the ride...

As for helmets, the only answers are all unsatisfactory - a cap under the helmet kills its ventillation, as do smaller (ie. smaller than a bee) vents. Those Catlike Whisper helmets look like real bug magnets...

As for ME ... zip up!

No advice on the helmet. The last time I was stung, the bee lodged into the chin strap. I'm unfortunately one of those alergic to bee's so I carry an epipen and a phone so they'll be able to find the body.

I rode through a swarm a few days ago and came out without a sting. Took my helmet off right away and there were 4 or 5 inside. I wear a cycling cap under the helmet so that offers some protection. There are also helmet covers if you can find one.

Just HTFU!....HA!

I already wear a bandanna or similar to soak up sweat and keep the sun from burning my bald head. Beyond that, I wouldn't do much to avoid a rare occurrence like a bee sting at the cost of blocking air flow on every ride.

As you lose more hair on the head, one needs to wear a bandana or similar to avoid sunburn and related skin cancer through the vent holes. Just wait a few years!!

I've had no problem with my helmet (yet), however a wasp slipped in to one of socks while I was riding. I didn't know it until it stung the front of my ankle and I couldn't get it out! That really hurt!

Maybe one of those food server hair nets over your helmet...

I wear a Head Sweat cap under my helmet. It has saved me from stings numerous times. It almost seems as if everytime I ride without one, something flies into my helmet and I have to stop and get it out.

My helmets have a removable Mesh insert to stop the critters getting in. Have had a few bees inside the helmet and the noise is deafening.

I purposely bought the MET helmet for the insert- and it was comfortable and the Rudy Project has one aswell. Unfortunately- with the insert the helmets are not as comfortable so I never use them.

On average I make 3 very quick stops a year to take the helmet off before it gets painfull. I vow to put the insert in before the next ride- but it is only 3 rides a year at worst so haven't bothered.

Started thinking about what i could put over the holes in the front of my helmet after getting a trapped wasp out of it. It did not sting me and it flew away. Been stung 3 times by bees, ankle, thigh and arm. Not allergic so i just keep going without stopping. Had bugs behind my sunglasses more than once and had to clear them out. Was thinking of trying putting some Suran clear plastic wrap over just the front part of helmet to see how much air flow would be stopped.

I've heard of people gluing screen or mesh of some kind inside their helmets. I've never tried it.

Have the traditional bike helmet, took in a bee this weekend. Hit my helmet, stunned 'em, blew inside and proceeded to sting me on th head. :eek: Any thoughts on simple prevention

Change places with your stoker!

Riding on a trail last year I passed a bee hive. Poor bee AND i crossed paths. Somehow it was behind my knee as my foot was coming up.

Squashed the poor thing... the sudden pain I thought I blew my knee out. lol

Last September I was about 7 miles out on a dirt forest service trail. I was going down a hill when I saw in a split second, a yellow jacket right before it hit my eye. I closed my eyes as it hit and within a second it felt like a hot coal was stuck in my eye and my face was on fire. I locked the brakes with both eyes closed and was fortunate not to tumble. I poured my water over my face and immediately turned around and very slowly, as not to get my heart cranking any more than it was, headed back to the truck. By the time I got back my right eye was completely swollen shut. I was more concerned about shock reaction but that worked out ok.

As far as bee advice? Ride in the winter I guess.

It'll probably never happen again, but if it does, just dismount and let the little beggar fly away. Just be grateful it wasn't a hornet. :eek:

My friend has a Limar (http://www.limarhelmets.com/eng) helmet. It comes with a built in mesh. I wonder if the designer was stung at some time.

Next time, let 'em find their own way out of the helmet.

I hear bee stings will cure arthritis. Maybe this was a good thing.

Last September I was about 7 miles out on a dirt forest service trail. I was going down a hill when I saw in a split second, a yellow jacket right before it hit my eye. I closed my eyes as it hit and within a second it felt like a hot coal was stuck in my eye and my face was on fire. I locked the brakes with both eyes closed and was fortunate not to tumble. I poured my water over my face and immediately turned around and very slowly, as not to get my heart cranking any more than it was, headed back to the truck. By the time I got back my right eye was completely swollen shut. I was more concerned about shock reaction but that worked out ok.

As far as bee advice? Ride in the winter I guess.
I never ride without eye protection. Very cloudy days i have clear, rest of the time sunglasses. When the closing speed is 30 to 40 mph you have to have protective eye wear. Even at slow speeds its hard to react in time from bugs hitting your face.

I hear bee stings will cure arthritis. Maybe this was a good thing.

They don't cure arthritis, they just hurt so much you forget about your other problems!

As if 94 degree temp. wasn't uncomfortable enough to ride in today, I got stung by a bee right through the spandex on my lower abdomen!
(That really HURT, Charlie!)

My biggest fear has always been sucking a bee or wasp down my throat.

http://www.tail-wags.com/helmet.html

http://www.tail-wags.com/helmet.html

So what are you suggesting, jdon? That if we disguise our heads like giant bumblebees the real bees will be tricked into thinking we are their brethren and not sting us? Yesssss. Right then. Good idea.

Cycling cap/do-rag would help.
Stoker has never been stung while riding, pilot has. It's who's up front that counts!?
Pedal on!
Ruy and Kay/zonatandem

My biggest fear has always been sucking a bee or wasp down my throat.

This almost happened to me but luckily the sting was on my soft palate. After nearly chocking and spitting out the bee, my fear was that it might swell up and block my respiration. Outside of hurting like the dickens there was no swell up and I finished my ride. I do use Headsweats which prevent inside the helmet stings not to mention scalp sunburns.

My biggest fear has always been sucking a bee or wasp down my throat.

Las t week, some kind of tiny bee flew in my mouth (about the size of a big ant). I spit him out without incident, but he landed on my knee and stung me there. I didn't know it was a bee until I felt the sting. I swatted him into non-existence before I could get a good look at him.

At least he didn't sting me in the mouth, or worse, per your fears.

I rode through a small swam of bees yesterday. It was the strangest thing! After 'beeing' pummelled by the bees I checked to see if any were still on me and was surprise that there weren't any. (Another advantage to cycling clothes.) Then I thought of my helmet, so I stopped and checked, but no passengers.

I rode through a small swam of bees yesterday. It was the strangest thing! After 'beeing' pummelled by the bees I checked to see if any were still on me and was surprise that there weren't any. (Another advantage to cycling clothes.) Then I thought of my helmet, so I stopped and checked, but no passengers.
Don't count on your cycling clothes. I was wearing a pair of Pearl Izumi Attack shorts Sunday when I got stung and that bee attacked right through them! I now have a red, itchy welt the size of a kumquat on my stomach.

Don't count on your cycling clothes. I was wearing a pair of Pearl Izumi Attack shorts Sunday when I got stung and that bee attacked right through them! I now have a red, itchy welt the size of a kumquat on my stomach.

I considered myself lucky! I figured that the cycling outfit helped but I know it is no guarantee.



I was riding a motorcycle years ago and got stung on my leg while at the same time noticed a bee flying around inside my full face helmet...that got the adrenaline pumping!