slvoid

I was at mile 35 of my 7/10ths century today, taking a break before turning back, when I got up from the side of the road and realized... there it was! A huge yellow and black bumble bee perched on my groin between my legs!

A million scenarios flashed through my mind, the worst of which involved me being stung between the testicles; and as I fall to the ground, clutching my jewels in my hands, I realize much too late that it would only squeeze more venom in, causing me to fall to my back, legs spread, twitching in pain, on the side of the road, on a popular route passed by hundreds of cyclists, some of which are smoldering to smoking hot women.

I got up, tried moving my leg, it wouldn't budge. Time was of the essence, drastic actions needed to be taken; I grabbed my bike, carefully put on my pack, clipped one foot in, had my other leg on the ground, ready to clip in. I brushed it off, jammed my other foot down, smashed my butt onto the saddle, and bolted out of there.

Let that be a lesson for you people, don't let your guard down.

georgiaboy

If a bee does land, take steps to avoid frightening it:


Hold still. Tell kids to pretend they're statues. Rapid movement startles the bee and encourages stinging.

Try blowing gently on the bee. This can encourage it to move on while not startling it.


Wear shoes. Bees will of course be frightened if you step on or near them. Shoes don't make them less frightened, but they do protect feet from frightened bees.


Wear long pants when you know you are going to be in an area that is likely to have bees in it, such as a field.


Wear a hat. Furry animals steal honey from bees. Bees are in a heightened state of readiness when they are close to hair or fur. They have been proven to have a lower threshold for stinging people with hats.

https://www.drgreene.com/21_213.html

^oZ

Uuuh, just take a swing at it...

slvoid

Well keep in mind I have my lycra spandex kit on. I'm not exactly johnny english with pants, overcoat, and a top hat.

georgiaboy

Those solutions were were not much help for a cyclists sorry. Guess thats why we have the forums.

Urban Shooter

I had the pleasure of having a bee sting me a while back on my upper thigh near my jewels, I was riding in shorts instead of lycra and the sucker had flown up my leg. I had no chance of avoiding that sting. Luckily I was riding on an empty road at the time.

Cycleman1958

Had one fly into my mouth once. Turned and spit. Voluntary reflex. No worries.
Rode with a guy that got one stuck in his helmet. Bad Sting.

skinnyone

Holy ****... It hurts to think about ir...

pigmode

I had a bee plant itself dead center in the chest at speed. It was only a honeybee but it hurt. By the time I pulled off the road the bee had gone off to Valhalla, while I was stuck by the curb trying to dig out the stinger as gawking motorists drove by.

dfw

It's just a damn bee. Be a man. You should have just grabbed your frame pump and beat it into submission.

cyclezealot

I have posted this before.. A Reason to wear lycra..Once a friends' girlfriend was just wearing like cargo shorts.. a hornet flew up the shorts opening..Bit her about the outer side of her rear.
I always suggested stinging insects can fly up regular shorts, but can't fly up lycra...
In your case. It landed on lycra..Think stinging biting insects might have a difficult time biting through lycra and a chamois. glad you are ok..

slvoid

I dunno, I froze and freaked man.
I don't know if a stinger can penetrate pearl izumi microsensor fabric. I don't know if a stinger can penetrate the fabric AND the thin portion of the 3D pro chamois. Would you have risked your valuables to find out?

shimanopower

lol, wear shoes.... check.

shimanopower

yeah smash your package with a frame pump!! i love this thread

slvoid

You're the 3rd person to have suggested that. NOT AN OPTION!

Wind 'N Snow

Bumble Bees are quite docile.

No offense, but if you have something "between" your boys, I'd get that checked out!

In all seriousness, I really understand. It is all about the unexpected and the perceived fear. You are not expecting a stinging insect to land on you and you are certainly not expecting it THERE.

Today, I was in my aerobars, a semi had just passed me on the highway and I was not concentrating that much when a grasshopper jumped unto my shoe and then my knee before jumping off. I almost went off the road before I realised what it was and and that I should just relax and not panic. And 'hoppers don't sting!

So, You're moments of anxiety are well understood. I still think you should get your little (anatomy issue) checked out

slvoid

Don't all men have "something" between the boys? I'd be worried if I didn't.

62vette

If it had just landed on your knee you would have brushed it off without a thought, but the difference in geography creates a whole new world of adrenalin production. But think of the impressive swelling you could have ended up with

I've had a wasp down my shirt when motorcycling years ago. It did a sewing machine routine across my chest before I could stop, rip off my helmet, sweat top and t-shirt and get rid of the little bastid.

brewster1972

A few years ago I had a wasp sting me on the webbing between my fingers moments before a major golf tournament. The location of the sting had a serious impact on my grip (not a good thing) and I had a horrendous round. Afterwards, my only solution was to drown my sorrows and pain in as much beer as I could get my hands on.

bkrownd

Absolutely, if you're not bothering their home. They're the teddy bears of the insect world. When I see them feeding on flowers I pet them gently. They don't give a hoot.

HWS

Had a bug fly into my ear once while riding. Hosed it out with my water bottle.

2manybikes

Maybe the coconut scented suntan lotion attracts more than hot women ?

A friend went mtb riding with a woman who had some kind of floral smell in her hair. It attracted so many bees they had to give up and leave.

timhines

bumble bees do not have stingers do they? or is that carpenter bees?

62vette

bumblebees do, don't know about carpenter bees - the females would be anorexic and sing though wouldn't they

shimanopower

bumble bees not having stingers is a common myth. they actully have a larger stinger then most bees, which makes it more painful then most stings.