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One reason to go fast.

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Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

One reason to go fast.

Old 07-18-07, 08:27 PM
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One reason to go fast.

I was thinking about this BF 50+ forum today while biking on my exercise Rail to Trail.
I did what I do most of the time: Go fast like 17 MPH average with a Hybrid and aerobars.

After 30 miles of that I contemplated: Perhaps I should slow down and look at the flowers and listen to the birds. That is the consensus in the 50+ group.

This trail goes through a swamp area.
After a few minutes of 13 - 15 MPH I said to my-selves: What is going on? All hell broke loose. The bugs descended upon me in unreasonable amounts. Biting me anywhere and getting in my eyes. It took me about 10 minutes of that to figure cause and effect.

I stepped up the speed to above 16 MPH. Problem was solved.
No kidding.
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Old 07-18-07, 08:39 PM
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Think of the poor cyclist who rides through that same swamp who doesn't have a 16 mph gear.

Not that I have anyone in mind.
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Old 07-18-07, 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil
Think of the poor cyclist who rides through that same swamp who doesn't have a 16 mph gear.

Not that I have anyone in mind.
Or the poor soul who punctures.
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Old 07-18-07, 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Louis
Or the poor soul who punctures.
There were walkers. They were scratching their necks and waving branches.
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Old 07-18-07, 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by will dehne
There were walkers. They were scratching their necks and waving branches.

They are what is commonly referred to as bait.
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Old 07-18-07, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil
Think of the poor cyclist who rides through that same swamp who doesn't have a 16 mph gear.

Not that I have anyone in mind.
Well, Tom, actually I was thinking of you. At the Broadhead terminal we overheard some recumbent bikers bitterly complaining of the bugs. My lovely wife said: What are they talking about? There are no bugs.
She is sitting on a tandem doing 18 to 25 MPH and observes that there are no bugs. Hmmm? I was wondering what Tom B. thinks?
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Old 07-18-07, 09:41 PM
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Sounds like I should add some insect repellent to my bike bag.
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Old 07-18-07, 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Terrierman
They are what is commonly referred to as bait.
You know, I do not know when I came up with this.
I love being outdoors. Name an activity better suited to spending outdoors than biking.
You create your own breeze. It does not wear you out like running does. You do not have to spend a ton of money like golfing. You can run away from the bugs. You do see a lot of the country. You can eat like a pig. Drink like a fish. It is good for your CV system. You can do it Solo or Group.
The question I have: Why not more folks do it?
My thinking? Too lazy.
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Old 07-18-07, 11:47 PM
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I learned a short while ago that at least mosquitoes are attracted more to one blood type
than the other. My daughter Karen and I are both Type A, my wife and other two daughters are not. As long as Karen or I go outdoors accompanied by one of the other three, we are not bothered by the little buggers nearly as much as the non-A blood type family members are. This has worked repeatedly. Of course, without tastier bait along, we become the main course.

Happy Trails

Last edited by cranky old dude; 07-19-07 at 12:25 AM.
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Old 07-19-07, 04:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil
Think of the poor cyclist who rides through that same swamp who doesn't have a 16 mph gear.

Not that I have anyone in mind.
Your bike surely has 16 mph gears, it could be a 16 mph engine that is lacking
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Old 07-19-07, 05:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Terrierman
They are what is commonly referred to as bait.
I don't mind when they are bait, I only get upset when they are chum.
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Old 07-19-07, 05:18 AM
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Deep Woods Off?
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Old 07-19-07, 06:19 AM
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So, if I forget my energy bar, I just slow down and gulp down some free protein!! Those pesky critters could be a free lunch!!
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Old 07-19-07, 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil
Sounds like I should add some insect repellent to my bike bag.
Wisconsin has some mean bugs which go through clothes and some seem to be ignorant of the intended purpose of OFF.
Horse Flies, Wasps, Black Flies and some I do not know the name of are waiting for us to supply them with their meal.
All of them have speed limits. About 15 MPH.
A few days ago a Bumble Bee hit my lip (fortunatly closed mouth). I got a fat lip. My wife wanted to know where I have been.
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Old 07-19-07, 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by will dehne

I stepped up the speed to above 16 MPH. Problem was solved.
No kidding.
Usually the bugs around here come in large swarms near the corn fields. Speeding up only means you hit the swarm a little faster and they sting a lot more I swear the other night I heard some of those bugs hanging on my jersey screaming "Wow, what a ride"!!!
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Old 07-19-07, 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by tlc20010
Your bike surely has 16 mph gears, it could be a 16 mph engine that is lacking
Tom knows that. Don't rub it in. we have frequent dialog about that.
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Old 07-19-07, 07:27 AM
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Originally Posted by The Weak Link
Deep Woods Off?
I am curious. Have you found stuff which works for Horse Flies and Black Flies? These things go through clothes so you need to spray everything, clothes, hair and especially socks. Wisconsin in the North lake area is famous for that. We had German Visitors going to Lake Superior. They were bitten very badly. Really only two ways I know: Stay indoors in the evening or outrun them on a bike. They are not so bad in the sun. Very bad at night and before a storm.
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Old 07-19-07, 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Beverly
Usually the bugs around here come in large swarms near the corn fields. Speeding up only means you hit the swarm a little faster and they sting a lot more I swear the other night I heard some of those bugs hanging on my jersey screaming "Wow, what a ride"!!!
I have had that experience with a strong headwind. The bugs feel like rain in that case. Some ladies have these sexy tops where the bugs go into the cleavage. Can you imagine? A wasp? Believe me there are many wasps. Amazing what people do to be attractive.
At 17 MPH Average I have no clinging bugs. At 20 MPH average I got other issues than worry about bugs.
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Old 07-19-07, 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by will dehne
I have had that experience with a strong headwind. The bugs feel like rain in that case. Some ladies have these sexy tops where the bugs go into the cleavage. Can you imagine? A wasp? Believe me there are many wasps. Amazing what people do to be attractive.
At 17 MPH Average I have no clinging bugs. At 20 MPH average I got other issues than worry about bugs.
If this discussion leads to a decline in that particular activity, I will hold you personally responsible. some things just shouldn't be messed with!
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Old 07-19-07, 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by will dehne
Perhaps I should slow down and look at the flowers and listen to the birds. That is the consensus in the 50+ group.
I must have missed that poll.

Rollercoasters, motorcycles, sports cars, & bicycles all = fast in my book. When I want to slow down and enjoy the scenery I walk.
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Old 07-19-07, 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by BSLeVan
I must have missed that poll.

Rollercoasters, motorcycles, sports cars, & bicycles all = fast in my book. When I want to slow down and enjoy the scenery I walk.
Hey, that is great. Now I know that there are others like you. (There is jppe of course)
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Old 07-19-07, 09:09 AM
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Occasionally I'll ride past a field where they're crop dusting or disking. The trick is to see how fast you can pass through the cloud while breathing as little as possible.
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Old 07-19-07, 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by CrossChain
Occasionally I'll ride past a field where they're crop dusting or disking. The trick is to see how fast you can pass through the cloud while breathing as little as possible.
We have lots of pig farms around here where we do the same thing
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Old 07-19-07, 09:54 AM
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I ate a bug last night. It wasn't bad, actually
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Old 07-19-07, 10:26 AM
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Last week I was cruising along at 12 mph, when a bumblebee joined me. It buzzed around my handlebars for several seconds, almost like I was sitting still. I've also noted a few times in the past when I'm going around 12 when butterflies are flying right beside me, keeping pace. Until they flitter off the path.
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