Starting nest year I will be touring by bike. To start with I am going to do a 1 - 2 day tour, then later in the year I will do a 4 to 7 day tour.

It will all be self contained. I will be staying at campgrounds for my overnight stays. The campgrounds all have shower facility's, etc. When I get to the campgrounds and set my tent up, but before I eat I will shower of course.

Here is where I need to know if this will cause skin problems: After showering I will more then likely have to use bug repellant to keep from getting eaten alive. The next morning I will not shower but instead use some kind of re-freshening item. Old Spice has them, I thihnk Lever 2000 even has a type, or I could also use baby wipes. After that I will apply sun-block.

In doing all of this could it cause a reaction on my skin? From the bug spray, to the re-freshening cloths to the sunblock? These items by themselves do not cause me any problems. But I am concerned about "mixing" them together. I know that overnight the bug spray will wear off, somewhat. Or am being concerned over nothing and should not worry about it?

Thanks.

I think this will vary from person to person... The only way to find out what effect it will have on you is to try it out. (How'bout a week end in December for starters). I don't think you would want to find out the hard way, ½ through your trip... My 2¢.

I agree with Sipher. If I were you I would probably talk to a dermotologist and THEN try it out on yourself before the trip. There is some nasty crap in skeeter repelant.

May I cast another vote for "try it out well inadvance of your trip"? I am also concerned that you could build up a sensitivity to the repellant after several days of continuous use. I do not know whether a modern dermatologist could somehow test you for this potential problem.

I agree with all above. Try it out for a few days in a controlled environ.

Keep your shirt and shorts clean. Carry two pair and rotate into a clean dry pair come morning and wash them in the eve. etc...

I want to go.

Thanks for the advice. I mentioned this to my wife and she said if I try it before I go on my tour I am sleeping in the guest room, then I will be the one to wash the bedding the next day. So I think I'll try this next weekend.

Oh and Greg you're more then welcome to come, in fact anyone is. But it is self contained so you carry your own gear, including food, and we will split the cost of the campground fees. Plus there will be times when we will want to eat in restaurants, so if you come bring plenty of money.

I'll post a new thread about my trip on Monday and invite anyone to join who wants to, so you can read more about it there.

Hey Cipher,
where in MN are you. I was from there but moved out to WA. Is there any snow yet. No offense but I want there to be lots of snow for our Christmas trip back to MN and maybe a cold snap... perhaps down the -30 so I can show my fiance what a real winter is!

First, let me recommend the 'Wet Ones' brand wipes. They have an antibacterial lemon scented wipe that is most refreshing. Note that not all of the Wet Ones wipes are created equal. Get the family size pack. The cloths are thicker and bigger. Forget the individual packs - the wipes are thin and tiny.

For most people, daily use of this product will not cause skin irritations.

You can get sun block with mosquito repellent in it, so you don't have to use your skin as a mixing dish.

Hey TLN,

I live in the western 'burbs of Mpls. (Shorewood to be exact). We've had a few snow flurries, but nothing to get to excited about... Where ya spending X-mas here in Minnesota?

Mike

Hey Cipher,
I used to live in Brooklyn Park across the street from Jesse Ventura when he was the Mayor. I will be spending Christmas in a very small town called Silver Lake... its about 50 miles west of Mpls.
I was going to bring my bike but that would mean I would have to bring the snow chains... and they are illegal in MN!

Re: bug repellant. I've got a sensitive skin myself, so I try to avoid these if possible.

If you plan on going into the tent and getting to sleep after you shower, you won't need any repellants. It is easy to declare your tent a bug-free zone for the night. You can easily track down and kill the few intrepid skeeters that manage to sneak in with you, and after that the tent structure keeps the rest out.

--J

Stop down at FreeWheel Bikes, (U of M West Bank) they will fix ya up with studded tires.

Seriously, have a Great thanksgiving!!!

(Silver Lake... That would put you about 20 - 25 miles west of me this coming weekend).

Cipher,
Would that be somewhere around Delano?
Have a great weekend!