wroomwroomoops

CAUTION: do not read if you are easily grossed off.


When I ride in the winter, I have a huge problem with

a) my breath condenses to my beard, and when it gets colder, it crystalizes there. If I use those head-covering thingies, the whole thing gets much messier. I just hate it.

b) (this could really be very specific to me) after some 5 Km of ride, ther's liquid in my nose, and I have to stop to blow my nose. There's so much liquid in it, that I often just let it drip out. Once this liquid starts forming in my nose, I have to stop more often, like every 2 to 4 Km. Very inconvenient.


I dreamed up a device, through which I can breathe, and the tube goes over to my back, so that the cold air doesn't get directly into my lungs. Plus, the tube would be so ingeniously crafted, that any condensed water would be kept in a special appendage. Do you think this contraption would work?

Roody

Maybe you should shave your beard off. I don't know what you could do with your nose.

My dad used to tell me I was backwards: "Your nose runs and your feet smell."

countrydirt

If I go out in any temperature under 50F, my nose runs. I just deal with it. As for the beard, keep it!

Hezz

Something that might help. Some people seem to be able to allow thier head to have less coverings and insulation while riding in cold temperatures and they tolerate the cold better. If you are one of these types you may find that your sinuses are less irritated by the cold air if you keep your entire head warmer than you usually do. I'm talking the whole head covered as much as possible except the mouth and the lower nose. By using any convenient method. Also, you may force yourself to breath more with your mouth so less cold air enters the sinus passages.

I imagine that when the front of your face is cold that your body closes down a lot of blood flow close to the surface to preserve heat deeper in. It may be this that cause a lot of the sinus irritation.

Also, ski goggles will keep your nose and sinus passages warmer and this may help to improve the sinus irritation.

I don't see the beard freezing as a problem but you could cover your lower face with a balaclava or neck gator. Then your breath will freeze on the covering.

ax0n

I have the same problem with my nose. I just tilt it to the side, press my finger on one nostril, and launch a rocket. Then repeat on the other side. Gross to see it in action, but gets the job done and I can breathe again. If done properly, it just launches without a trace. No mess. Just takes practice.

Hezz

One thing I have noticed is that if I am under a lot of stress my sinuses are more sensitive to cold and things. Tonight I went on a 90 minute night ride at 20 F and I feel very good. No sinus irritation. I wore a balaclava for the first time and it kept my whole head warmer. But not too hot. As usual my toes started to get cold about an hour into the ride.

Also, I love to sleep in a cold room in winter with the room temperature around 50F degrees. But I have found when I do this I have more sinus related problems. Since keeping the window shut and sleeping at around 62 F degrees I have had a lot less sinus irritation.

wroomwroomoops

I do this, too. Unfortunately, at least for me, there's always an annoying residue still in the nose, that I can't get rid of in this manner.

And, I am a bit preoccupied with grossing out fellow cyclists, so I can use the method only when I know I'm alone. Not easy in a cyclist nation like Finland, even in winter.


Thanks guys, I'll be thinking about covering my head better. For the record, I tried the balaclava, and hated it. Maybe I should try two balaclavas, to keep me warmer. I'll see and I'll report back.

Treefox

The frozen beard should actually keep you warmer.

jeff-o

Would keeping your nose and mouth warm help prevent runny nose syndrome? You might want to look into getting one of those breathing masks that traps the heat from exhaled breath, to help warm incoming air.

wroomwroomoops

You know, jeff-o, I will do that right away! I have that kind of mask (bought a few before painting frame), and I find it more comfortable than balaclavas. I never thought of using it to keep my mouth warm, but why not? Sounds like an excellent and very easily implementable idea.

jeff-o

Well sure, if you've got such a thing just lying around, you may as well give it a try!

cooker

I don't know about the heat exchanging mask...maybe that is the solution. One problem I see with your over-the-back breathing contraption, is that you would have to work hard to inhale. Also, you obviously would not want to exhale through the same tube (to avoid rebreathing too much air) so you would need a valve such as seen in oxygen mask, to exhale through.

I have a mustache and when I ski (alpine) it gets full of frozen snot unless I stop at the top and bottom of every run to wipe my nose.

wroomwroomoops

Little correction: it's not exactly a heat-trapping mask, but it happens to trap the heat from the breath inside - it's one of those masks you'd use when you work with the angle grinder or other power tool.

jeff-o

Hmmm, that's a little different, just beware of your glasses/goggles fogging up.

geraldatwork

Thats what the back of the paceline is for.

cooker

If its a well fitting mask it will impede your breathing efficiency during exercise.

ax0n

Maybe I have a stronger stomach than other cyclists, but the only snot rocket that would gross me out is one that hit me.

BIGPAKO

what he said, I'm a pro now. You should try it cuz that Hobo Beard thing aint pretty.

jeff-o

This thread has caused the song "Aqualung" to appear in my head...

bikedaddy

I love the frozen beard on my winter rides. I love the look people give me when the see it! They probably think my face is frozen but actually it is quite warm thank to the beard.

As for the snot... I think it is just part of winter riding. Just launch some rockets at cagers... they'll give you space.

kuan

You should check out the people at the finish of big ski races. Icicles hanging from their nostrils. Those with huge beards literally have icicles six inches long hanging off their faces.

You live in Finland. Don't you ski OP?

GreyGoat

we call em snot blossoms