I probably get stung about once a year, usually during a training ride or race. We're in one of the great agricultural areas of the world so bees are a fact of life.

But it was on a commute ride home a few years ago when I ended up in the ER because I'd developed a bee sting allergy. It was hot so my jersey was partially unzipped and a bee got in underneath. I was trying to be nice and let him out, but he stung me just above the nipple. Got head to toe hives within 5 minutes. Ten minutes later I got home and had my wife call the advice nurse. By this time I am starting to get raspy breathing and a ringing in my ears. Then I vomited. The advice nurse says to go to the ER *now*.

When you arrive at the ER with anaphylaxis, you jump to the head of the line. They gave me a shot of epinephrine to stop the anaphylaxis and had me take a prilosec, which helps bind up the toxin in your blood stream. Back to normal almost instantly.

Now I wear a Road ID with "bee sting ana" noted and I always carry an EpiPen. Interestingly, I have been stung by wasps and have not had the reaction. They're both stinging insects, but totally different animals, totally different toxins.

It's just one hazard on the road I can't control, but I can plan for the effects of it.