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Bugs in your vents?

Old 06-14-10, 11:09 AM
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Bugs in your vents?

Its getting to be bug season here in Kansas and on the last 3 rides I have gotten some sorta big flying critter in my helmet vents. One was a damn wasp. My method is glasses off and into the mouth, unsnap helmet and take it off. Even if I think the bug escaped I still check. Its only into headwinds that it occurs. nothing like a bug hitting you at 40+ mph. ( 20mph into wind + 20 mph wind toward us + whatever speed bug is adding on.) Anyone else have this problems with thier helmet vents?

I wonder if the bugs that miss the vents and hit the helmet head-on can splatter. that would be neat. they are loud as hell when they do hit the helmet.
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Old 06-14-10, 11:37 AM
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I hate when that happens. I usually just ignore it, hoping it's just a fly and not a bee or wasp.
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Old 06-14-10, 12:18 PM
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my helmet came with a bug net (Rudy Project)
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Old 06-14-10, 12:39 PM
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It's not as bad as when a big bug hits you in the eye. I need to get my contacts back and wear cycling glases.
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Old 06-14-10, 12:41 PM
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Not me, I wear a casquette, they don't have vents.
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Old 06-14-10, 01:02 PM
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yep. had a bee in mine on a long downhill with a wicked crosswind a few weeks back. Just tried to throw my head and not get stung. it worked.
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Old 06-14-10, 02:18 PM
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I don't know that I ever had a bug in my helmet but I did manage to almost choke on one earlier this spring. however I can see it happening. try a hairnet or a onion bag over your helmet
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Old 06-14-10, 02:36 PM
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Uvex has bug nets too, a reason I got one.
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Old 06-14-10, 06:41 PM
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Yeah, that bee in the bonnet feeling is no fun. Got one stunned once, then felt it crawling around about 30 seconds later. Lately, it's time to sit up, pull off the lid and inspect it for insects.
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Old 06-14-10, 07:17 PM
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After searching for a replacement helmet, I've found that MTB helmets often come with bug nets.

or, you can always wear a cycling hat or bandanna, which will keep the bugs out of your hair.
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Old 06-14-10, 10:27 PM
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The good side of riding without hands. Remove glasses, take off helmet, place glasses back on face then brush hair with hand, wind usually blows the bugger out even before I brush. Inspect vents and chinstrap.

Yes, I got stung on the neck once cause the friggin' bee was crawling around on the strap and I didn't see it!
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Old 06-14-10, 10:34 PM
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I feel it all the time when it first makes contact with the helmet and my head. But i always shake it off if i do feel it. I've never feel them after a good shake or two. so I assume they're gone...
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Old 06-14-10, 10:47 PM
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i had a bee fly into my helmet strap and got stung today right as i was finishing my ride.
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Old 06-15-10, 02:48 AM
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bug net or a cycling cap worn under the helmet.
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Old 06-15-10, 02:56 AM
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i knew an old lady who swallowed a fly...

Actually I swallowed something. I've also had a big killer bee come at me and hit me full speed on my glasses. knocked them crooked. I saw it coming from a mile away and it turned and swerved just to hit me like a kamakaze pilot.
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Old 06-15-10, 07:48 AM
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I go the bandana route. Keeps bugs away from the scalp but also when I soak my head with water it stays cooler longer.
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Old 06-15-10, 08:08 AM
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I shave my head, so if a bug happens to get inside the helmet they normally find their way out in a few seconds.

I wish they did that when they fly/fall into my mouth. (They always seem to time their entrance attempt to coincide with me coughing, or some such.. I don't normally ride with my mouth gaping open. ) The worms that hang from trees taste absolutely disgusting.
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Old 06-15-10, 08:17 AM
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The new Giro bug be gone helmet.....

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Old 06-15-10, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Beanz
The good side of riding without hands.
There are bad sides? Other than that, how irresponsible of you, riding your bike for those few seconds unhelmeted! Anything could happen!
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Old 06-15-10, 11:20 AM
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I do the same exact thing. Glasses in the mouth, helmet off, arms flailing madly swatting at my head like I am having a seizure. Last year we had the cicadas, or maybe that was 2 years ago. I had one hit me in the glasses while flying down hill and it actually popped my lens out. Though, I rather have that happen than eating one, or having one go up your nose.
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Old 06-15-10, 11:20 AM
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I wear one of those Headsweats whatchamajigs, but it's still disconcerting when it happens. Bugs in the mouth are worse though. Ick. Nothing worse than flying face first into a swarm of gnats.
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Old 06-15-10, 12:34 PM
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Funny. I was just stung on the head this morning. I had just switched from my LAS helmet because of lack of air, to a Giro Ionos. Noticed immediately at least one critter per ride since I switched, entered through the vents. Stung me going downhill. Wasn't to bad on the top of the head. Worst part was the anticipation prior to him inserting the stinger. I could feel him crawling around up there, and was hoping to stop prior to any sort of attack. Funny part was that as I slowed down , another cyclist passed me and said, "good morning". That musta pissed off my hitch hiker as he picked that moment to strike...Even though it wasn't that painful I'm going back to the LAS. Enough with the bugs!
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Old 06-15-10, 12:38 PM
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I wear one of these (https://www.hammernutrition.com/produ...avcat=headwear). Bugs still get into the vents but I've not been stung/bitten since wearing the cap.

Also keeps sweat from rolling into my eyes.
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Old 06-15-10, 12:41 PM
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I got hit saturday on a down hill doing maybe 30mph by a wood bee right on my top lip. Luckily I had my mouth closed but it still stung like I'd been shot with a BB gun.
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Old 06-15-10, 02:02 PM
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Last year a Japanese Beetle got into my helmet vents when riding. It started to scratch at my head. I guess it was trying to burrow so it could lay its eggs. I threw the helmet off pretty quick when I felt that.
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