David Bierbaum

How do you all deal with the constant snoot-full of runniness during your colder weather riding? I find the constant drips and bubbles from my nose to be exceedingly annoying, but I don't know how to effectively deal with it.

DnvrFox

That's why you wear bicycling gloves!! Truly.

lphilpot

+1

MinnMan

sad to say that it's my solution also. I usually have some tissues in my pocket, but it's too inconvenient to access them much whilst riding. I do use them to clean things up at stops, though.

cali_axela

+3 to gloves. Also learn how to fire snot rockets while riding and not hit yourself with them.

Litespeedlouie

For me, it depends. I wear contact lenses, which exacerbates watery eyes, and commute year-round. Usually, it's most convenient to blow snot rockets, as they say. However, if I feel I should be more civilized, such as waiting for a traffic light with people all around, I do keep some tissues, paper coffeeshop napkins (serviettes), or some such for some mopping up when commuting. When playing Road Rider, it's snot rockets and the arm, gloves or jersey shoulder to clean up the remains. It leaves a little reminder to wash these items. Also, it pays to learn to do this while at speed and not hit yourself or other riders.

Esteban58

+4 to gloves, and +1 snot rockets... (you asked.)
Snot on your shoulders or shoes is a sign that you're aren't doing your rockets right.

MinnMan

But careful when there's somebody right behind you!

steve0257

If you've got a bushy enough moustache it all gets caught in that. You then have a midmorning snack.

cplager

+1

David Bierbaum

I dislike the glove solution, since my fingers get cold easily, and the glove fingers get cold when they get damp. I was hoping for wisdom in having some elegant solution short of tying a hanky under one's nose!

Snot rockets don't really work for me, since when I say runny, I mean RUNNY! Not enough mucus to give the snot sufficient cohesion for proper Nasal Propelled Grenade launch! It just... sprays... then EVERYTHING gets wet. ick.

Oh dear. Even my sentences are starting to run on.

Since I bought a new pair of gloves from the Walmart, that have little plastic clips at the wrist, maybe I'll try clipping a hanky to the wrist of my glove...

cali_axela

We're talking about gloves with a soft area on the back of the hand for nose wiping, not on the fingers. I have a pair of Fox Mesa gloves which have this section covering the thumbpad which feels like it's made from a luxurious terry robe, it's wonderfully comfortable (and effective) to wipe my nose on -- that was what it's designed for. A lot of gloves are designed like that; find a pair and use em!

apollored

Tuck some tissue or even dried out baby wipes into your sleeve then you can access it even with gloves on.

Mind you I have to wear a hand support on my right wrist which does the job when on my own but riding in company that would definitely not do.

cali_axela

There's really no shame in snot rockets or wiping your nose on your gloves / sleeves. As long as you don't get it on anyone else, it's all good!

Bikey Mikey

I take a 4 hour pseudophedrine, Sudephed PE, before a ride and it helps, but I still use the micro fiber wipe built in my gloves.

DnvrFox

If it COLD, you will need long-fingered gloves, and use the back for their intended purpose - snot. Split for some bicycling gloves. Actually, my best mid-temp gloves are some I got at Target years ago - no longer available. It was 45F this am and they did wonderful.

For colder temps I use mittens - I forget the name right now, but they are covered by some sort of hide and are used in cold temp - with liners. These are good to about 32F for me.
I'll remember their name one of these days. Being 72 does have its memory disadvantages!!

DnvrFox

A ha!!

Chopper Mittens

DnvrFox

If I did that I couldn't pee for a week.

rawhite1969

Advil C&S before the ride, and I wear stretchy cotton gloves from Target over my riding gloves. Wipe away as they get washed post-ride. Or my sleeve if I need to.

Bikey Mikey

I need to make a correction. I meant I take a phenyephrine with is the non-regulated decongestant whereas pseudophedrine is regulated.

JanMM

Not to be confused with controlled substances; pseudophedrine sales are regulated to keep folks from buying it in large quantities in order to make methamphetamine.
Hmmmmm..........wonder if meth would make me a stronger rider?

To get back on topic, probably snot!

David Bierbaum

That is snot the advice I was looking for...

I've never actually seen gloves with snot-back surfaces. I'll have to look some more...

JanMM

I tend to not have those nasal secretions problems so can't really offer good advice. Reclining in the seat of a recumbent probably would minimize the problem, anyway, compared to leaning over the handlebars.

Esteban58

@JanMM - maybe you're just lucky - any kind of windy day and I'm dripping like a fire hose... I think mostly its allergies. On the + side, after my ride my sinuses are all cleared out.

lhbernhardt

Real cyclists fire snot rockets. Works best if you close the other nostril with the second joint of your index finger. On a tandem, you have to tilt your head a lot more so you don't hit the stoker's legs.

I also spit a lot. You can always tell if someone's been cycling for a long time; they're really good at spitting. I can it a drain grate at 25 kmh.

Where these skills are helpful is when you've got a cold. Riding the bike in cold weather really clears out your sinuses, but you're spitting and blowing your nose onto the road most of the time.

Luis