I've just starting cycling to work, its been about 2 weeks and I love it.

On my route I have to go through a bike tunnel that runs under a highway. It is a rural area and I guess some critters like to call it home when it rains like it was today. So I was riding through an as I came around the corner my headlight flashed into the eyes of a big ol' skunk. I knew I was toast. I didn't think I got it too bad because I couldn't smell it for the rest of my commute but now that my bike is sitting next to me I can smell it. One of my colleagues asked me if one of our students had let a stink bomb off as a halloween prank...

On Monday I'm going to flash my light and check a lot more carefully before I go through the tunnel.

Wash your bike with tomoato juice this weekend! LOL

Actually, I've read that the tomato juice thing doesn't work, on people or bike frames. In either case, glad it wasn't worse! Keep up the commuting. I started about 18 months ago, and it was immediately addicting!

Oh that is a major bummer. Can't blame the skunk though, just doing what he does.

Dang. That sucks. Mythbusters tested the home remedies for skunk odor and the results were...

"A mixture of soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda proved to work best for actually eliminating the aroma of skunk musk. The precise formula may be found in the Skunk article."

They're right too. I got one a couple months ago and it worked well.

I've had three run-ins so far with one raising its tail at me. Even with better lights now, my eyes are scanning like crazy when I'm on the trails in the morning.

Wear an old pre-sweated-in jersey. The skunks will either think you are one of their own and not spray, or accede to your superior strength.

+1. each time i come home my wife swears i've been skunked. i now enter via the basement and bee-line for the shower.