yannisg

I have a few wonderful rides through forests that I refused to repeat because of the amount of black flies.
These routes are relatively steep so yr traveling in the single digit klm speed quite often. The black flies are in yr face, and in between yr glasses etc. Forget about stopping for a flat. They just love the moisture and salt.
I bought a head net, and decided to see if it worked. So i went on one of these routes last Saturday, and as soon as I approached the forest area I put on the head net that goes over the helmet, and tightens around the neck area. It worked. No problem with heavy breathing through the net. The flies are outside the net, but that doesn't bother you much. Some sit in of front on the net. I was able ride like this for 1.5 hrs uphill whereas without the net I would have turned back for sure. There is a slight problem with the water bottle that you have to pass under the net to drink, and you can't wipe the sweat from yr face because of the net.
Its not perfect, but for me it worked.
YannisG

deapee

Interesting idea.

I've had two severe bug bites this year, but no idea what they were from. The first one got so big I went to the doctor. The surrounding, inflamed area, was as big as a folded-in-half dollar bill. Of course when the doctor told me I was going to be fine, within 3-4 days it went away.

I always just smile and breath through my teeth when I'm riding.

unterhausen

hate those things. I have had relatively good luck with bug spray. There is one road we use occasionally that goes by a swamp. This time of year it's not a good idea to ride there unprotected, at least in the climbing direction

NYMXer

I wipe apple cider vinegar on my exposed skin and it serves a double purpose. First, it keeps all bugs away, inc ticks and mosquito's. Second, it almost completely wipes out body odor, making your after ride chat a bit more acceptable to others.
Now, add the unfiltered variety of the vinegar to your water and it helps with muscle recovery. Try it or at least look it up. Maybe try Google for "benefits of apple cider vinegar"

dwmckee

I had several black fly bites years ago from a trip in Maine. The bites were still itchy after 3 weeks. I scrartched them until the bled for relief. They do not fly fast, but they overwhelm you with numbers. I found the faster you move the fewer bites you get though if that is of any help. Also they are fairly seasonal and the season is only about 4 - 6 weeks, so you can shoot for late summer and have few to none bothering you then. Bug spray helps a lot too if you can tolerate it...

hilltowner

Rather than scratch them, hold them under hot water, as hot as you can stand without scalding yourself, the itching will go away for quite a while afterward and there is no danger of open skin getting infected secondarily.

yannisg

Thanks for the responses.
These black flies that I am dealing with fortunately don't seem to bite, but without the net there in yr face, in yr glasses, and there are a lot of them.
If you are going above a certain speed they can't stay in front of yr face. Climbing is the problem, and if you have to stop.
I have tried different bug sprays, but they didn't work.
YannisG