One reason to go fast.
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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.
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.
#2
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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.
Not that I have anyone in mind.
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#6
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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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Sounds like I should add some insect repellent to my bike bag.
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There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
#8
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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.
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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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
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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Your bike surely has 16 mph gears, it could be a 16 mph engine that is lacking
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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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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.
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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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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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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At 17 MPH Average I have no clinging bugs. At 20 MPH average I got other issues than worry about bugs.
#19
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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.
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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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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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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We have lots of pig farms around here where we do the same thing
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Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
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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.