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Nature Breaks

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Old 04-28-26 | 01:39 PM
  #51  
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Originally Posted by datlas
Our so-called peers generally HATE cyclists, so I don't think you would be a sympathetic witness.

You'd think pee-ers would be more understanding...
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Old 04-28-26 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
After years of leading the BCP century from New Hope to Brooklyn I instituted a nature break in a specific spot. Guys would go along the bank of one if the branches of the Raritan River. Ladies would go in the cornfield on the other side of the road. If you didn’t have to go, you softpedalled and waited for the rest of the group.
You sent the women to the Corn Field? It's good that you done that! REAL good!!

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Old 04-28-26 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by genejockey
You sent the women to the Corn Field? It's good that you done that! REAL good!!

Nope. The neighbors say, rather, you're a bad man, indyfabz , a VERY BAD MAN!
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Old 04-28-26 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by datlas
I would not say you are "wrong" but most of us would rather be over-hydrated/well hydrated than dehydrated, and sometimes it's tough to thread the needle, so we err on the side of hydration.

Personally, I think it's "normal" to pee every 2-4 hours when riding. YMMV.
in my 30s I never took pee breaks but sweat it all out. I would go on 3-4 hour rides and finish coated in salt. Now that I’ve aged, I seldom see salt and don’t sweat like I used to, so bathroom breaks are in order.
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Old 04-28-26 | 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by rsbob
in my 30s I never took pee breaks but sweat it all out. I would go on 3-4 hour rides and finish coated in salt. Now that I’ve aged, I seldom see salt and don’t sweat like I used to, so bathroom breaks are in order.
Just another take on that since we all are different. Not that I'm objecting to anything you said.

I use to sweat profusely, now it's more what a normal person would do. I've never sweated out very much salt. My clothes never crusted up with salt as I've seen some other friends and acquaintances do.

Because I don't sweat much salt, I don't use very much salt or other electrolyte in my drink mix when I ride. But I do use some. Since I typically don't eat during a ride.
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Old 04-28-26 | 04:49 PM
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Does “nature break” include dropping a deuce? Asking for a friend.
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Old 04-28-26 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by WaveyGravey
As a cyclist in my 70's with an enlarged prostate and under the care of a urologist, I have to pee frequently and when its time there is no time to waste. Almost always I am able to conceal myself. But in the event, I am caught by overzealous law enforcement, and cited or even arrested, I would ask for a jury trial. Would a jury convict given these circumstances?
You may not be entitled to a jury at all if you are charged with a "petty offense" where the max punishment is < 6 months' imprisonment.

right to jury trial | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
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Old 04-28-26 | 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Does “nature break” include dropping a deuce? Asking for a friend.
I think we cyclists prefer to call that a Tom Dumoulin moment.
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Old 04-28-26 | 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Does “nature break” include dropping a deuce? Asking for a friend.

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Old 04-28-26 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by rsbob
“It” happens. It can be helpful to be able to recognize the signs and take appropriate action.
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Old 04-28-26 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
“It” happens. It can be helpful to be able to recognize the signs and take appropriate action.
Have you seen the commercials currently airing featuring “Shat”? Aka Bill Shatner? Hillarious.
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Old 04-29-26 | 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by rsbob
Have you seen the commercials currently airing featuring “Shat”? Aka Bill Shatner? Hillarious.
I have to wonder how many people even know
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Old 04-30-26 | 10:00 PM
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I prefer to ride rural areas and the farm and ranch people are quite understanding about nature calls, I suspect it has something to do with working fields. I also note the farm and ranch people are a lot more polite about passing and being considerate. Get within 5 miles of town (Eugene) and people get rude and uptight about normal functioning and bicycle riding on the roads.
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Old 05-02-26 | 03:40 AM
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Don’t wear screaming yellow from head to toe, turn the blinking lights off, walk deeper into the treeline.
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Old 05-02-26 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by howsteepisit
I prefer to ride rural areas and the farm and ranch people are quite understanding about nature calls, I suspect it has something to do with working fields. I also note the farm and ranch people are a lot more polite about passing and being considerate. Get within 5 miles of town (Eugene) and people get rude and uptight about normal functioning and bicycle riding on the roads.
+1. I tour in rural areas. You find some of the most courteous drivers there. The most common exceptions are young people.

We have a 4’ passing law here in PA. The overwhelming majority of people in rural areas abide by it. It’s when I get close to home in Philly that I have to worry. I never schedule tours where I hit the suburbs on a weekday.
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Old 05-02-26 | 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Ghazmh
Don’t wear screaming yellow from head to toe, turn the blinking lights off, walk deeper into the treeline.
Yeah, getting deep into the woods is all well and good. Until you notice you're surrounded by poison oak.
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Old 05-02-26 | 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Velo Vol
It sounds like you're not very sneaky.
But then again... Some times its just an EMERGENCY!

I am in my 70's with Prostate Cancer and suffer Urgency and Post Void Dibbling. That's too much personal information for some, but I try to not give it a thought. When ya Gotta Go, then Ya Gotta Go. If ya see me in an open area with no cover and I am doing Push Ups in the grass... well... best stay away till ya see me stand and put things away... Ha

Here is a funny incident from years ago. On a long hot ride I was taking a beak near a ranch house on a fence post well off the road and out of no where came this big white, possibly live stock, dog. He was not barking and at mid stream I was having difficulty deciding to run off or hold steady. In that he was not barking I stayed to finish which certainly would make for a drier ride back. The dog was friendly and immediately sniffed then joined in. Man, he needed ta go more then me cause as I rode off he was still at it...
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Last edited by zandoval; 05-02-26 at 01:44 PM.
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Old 05-02-26 | 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
Yeah, getting deep into the woods is all well and good. Until you notice you're surrounded by poison oak.
And in the High Grass,

Chiggers!!!!!!!!

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Old 05-03-26 | 05:10 PM
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That is a good point! I probably should be more mindful of that.
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Old 05-03-26 | 06:39 PM
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One can hear a car coming from quite a distance. I simply stop peeing if I hear one and turn my back to it. It's good if your bike is right there so you can put a hand on it. I never pee if I would be facing a house. We have a big deal century here. The sponsors do hear about riders peeing on lawns which is not helpful for the ride's continuation. I rode it once . . . too many idiots, though I should say "inexperienced riders", but maybe they are just idiots. Hard to tell sometimes.
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Old 05-03-26 | 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by datlas
but from our stance the activity was obvious.
How many whizzers were there taking a stance? I can imagine multiple guys standing around "watering the trees" was going to draw attention, but as long as you all are not treating someone's property like a Bourbon Street sidewalk I don't know why someone would want to stop and confront you.
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Old 05-03-26 | 10:06 PM
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We live in a rather puritanical county. Europeans have no such issues. Watching the grand tours with riders stopping or riding their bikes, and relieving themselves is no big deal. That’s probably why they have nude beaches too. No one gets shook up about what men and women are born with.
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Old 05-04-26 | 04:19 AM
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Originally Posted by rsbob
We live in a rather puritanical county. Europeans have no such issues. Watching the grand tours with riders stopping or riding their bikes, and relieving themselves is no big deal. That’s probably why they have nude beaches too. No one gets shook up about what men and women are born with.
I saw a guy relieve himself at the back of the peloton during the U.S. pro championship here in Philly. Many spectators were shocked.

And I remember going to my first topless beach. It was is Nice. I was in college and thought it was going to be awesome. Then I saw big grandma with her top down.
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Old 05-04-26 | 10:19 AM
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A friend of mine drops to one knee while peeing. It’s more inconspicuous faced away from the road.
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Old 05-04-26 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Rogerogeroge
A friend of mine drops to one knee while peeing. It’s more inconspicuous faced away from the road.
Good idea. Another one is to pretend you dropped your chain and are fixing it.

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