Bugs & Cycling

dochologram

So I came home from the ride today being my first in AZ by the lake in the spring and was committed to finding a solution.
I found these two links first.

http://www.bicyclefacemasks.com/index.html
http://gbnpro.com

I emailed the first one to see if he is still selling them.

Then a friend said how about a mesh paintball mask like these.

http://www.crw-airsoft.com/steel-half-face-mesh-mask-version-1-blacktanod-2256-p.asp
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/spring-new-2014-Hot-Sale-brand-Death-Skull-Bone-Airsoft-Half-Face-Protect-Mask-Paintball-Game/1847649580.html

Kinda worried these are not small enough of a mesh to keep bugs out.

So I kept searching , tried "cycling in Mississippi" and found this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sddZkyqT_Jg

immmmm... not that serious. but since I also came across an article about a guy swallowing a bee and having to go to the hospital to have it removed, I was seriously looking at the set of old construction masks I had in the garage. I'm allergic to yellow jackets (a variety of North American Wasps).

Then it hit me like the bugs today on the road.

one of these

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/spring-new-2014-Hot-Sale-brand-Death-Skull-Bone-Airsoft-Half-Face-Protect-Mask-Paintball-Game/1847649580.html

and the bug mesh from the youtube video.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Phifer-36-in-x-25-ft-BetterVue-Insect-Screen-3030802/203193957

or this over your helmet and mask

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/68997?feat=bug-SR0&page=sea-to-summit-mosquito-head-net-with-insect-shield

Seriously just hoping the first guy still sells his invention.

Hope it helps

Loralrose

Eh, I just shrug and deal with it. Part of my commute is through a marsh, so you can imagine the bugs I deal with. But having something on my face is even more irritation.

I say go for a bandana or very light scarf. That way you can turn it into an accessory when you're off the bike and not stick out. And sunglasses are your friend - nothing hurts quite like a bug in the eye at 20mph.

MeanderingMammal

If you were cycling and saw someone wearing a bandanna or half-mask, would you think they were completely nuts or am I over-thinking this?

In winter when it's cold, no. The rest of the time, yes, it comes with the territory.

Shropshire1959

If you hate the 'Extra Protein' comment .. you'll hate this even more ..... T.T.F.U :devil:

CharlotteAnneUK

Im with you in the hating bugs and whilst I accept that you do get used to it, I do have a snood as I ride around resiviours and run around a lake at lunchtime, getting bugs in the mouth used to make me choke to the point of being ill.

The problem with the snood is that I have to breath through my mouth and it cuts the air intake therefore making it difficult to get in as much oxygen in as I need.

The only way I have found around this is staying away from the waterside where there are lots of trees as that is the worst place for them. Not an ideal resolution, but you could try a face mask and at the end of the day, who cares what you look like, its not like you are doing this expecting to get a date whilst out cycling.

Frood42

I tend to just deal with it as I don't like to cover my mouth with things when cycling.

As you said "yum, extra protein"!
Well that is after I am too late to cough the things up... :laugh:
.

SingingSingleTracker

I've taken up cycling and with the weather warming up, I'm encountering a big problem: bugs! It's mostly gnats and similar bugs that I end up riding into (I cycle through rural areas so they're unavoidable). Every time I look up potential solutions, I see people on bike forums just spouting, "yum, extra protein" and other incredibly useless comments to people who have asked. I HATE bugs. Bugs smacking into my lips really freaks me out and it's making me want to just quit until winter time.

Is there anything I can do here? I've thought of surgical masks but if there's any potential solution that would make me look slightly less bizarre to the other cyclists/walkers/runners I pass, it'd be a plus. Am I the only person extremely bothered by this?! I've seen neoprene half-masks marketed for motorcyclists, but the only ones I can find cheap online are like skull or demon-patterned, and call me picky, but as a 27-year-old woman, they don't really float my boat.

If you were cycling and saw someone wearing a bandanna or half-mask, would you think they were completely nuts or am I over-thinking this?

Outside of choosing times to ride when the bugs are not out (they are usually out in the morning and evening), or altering your posture to a much more aggressive tucked position where you can easily drop your head at the first indication of any bugs, or learning to be a good and efficient spitter....

http://www.bicyclefacemasks.com/plain-mask-no-design.html

.....that mask looks to be a solution for you. Although not inconspicuous, whatever it takes to get you out on the bike and enjoying the ride trumps the "look".

The absolute worst time to ride where I live for bugs is in the early evening as the sun is starting to set and the bugs are out in full swarm. Yet, in the summer that is when I tend to do most of my training rides due to it being too hot earlier. I just tuck my head, wear Oakley glasses, and spit a lot.

itodd4019

In FL, lovebug season, unbelievable!!! I ride every morning and every afternoon


wearing a visor, and tilting my head a little lower alot of the time seems to create a lil air pocket that keeps them from going into my eyes and mouth

chelleb1974

I haven't had much problem with bugs in the face/mouth, but it wouldn't faze me to see someone with a facemask or bandana tied around. In fact, the bandana is a great idea, and one that I'll keep in mind if the bugs are bad. I tend to get them in the corners of my eyes, even with sunglasses.....so I possibly have the wrong type on to ride with. Found a little bug in my sports bra yesterday after riding, lol. Like someone else said....who cares what you look like as long as you're out riding!

Good luck,
Chelle

albertabeefy

Cyclists just learn to deal with it. They end up in your eyes, up your nose, and in your mouth. I've come home with them inside my shirt or sports bra. Bugs and cycling just seem to go together!

^^ This. I've come home with quite literally THOUSANDS (and no, not an exaggeration) of gnats dead and stuck-to me. My wife or kids take the hose to me with one of the pressure/jet settings before I can come in the house, lol.

The only thing that bothers me anymore is if a bee or wasp gets into my jersey (if unzipped), or into one of the air-vents on the helmet - that's never a good experience.

sillygoosie

Cyclists just learn to deal with it. They end up in your eyes, up your nose, and in your mouth. I've come home with them inside my shirt or sports bra. Bugs and cycling just seem to go together!

^^ This. I've come home with quite literally THOUSANDS (and no, not an exaggeration) of gnats dead and stuck-to me. My wife or kids take the hose to me with one of the pressure/jet settings before I can come in the house, lol.

The only thing that bothers me anymore is if a bee or wasp gets into my jersey (if unzipped), or into one of the air-vents on the helmet - that's never a good experience.

I caught a wasp in my sports bra last year and got a nice boob sting. Last weekend I was riding and felt something come through my helmet and smack my head. I didn't think much of it until later down the road I felt some tickling in my hair. Stopped and ripped my helmet off. Sure enough, I had a bee in my bonnet. Luckily the impact of hitting me in the head rendered him useless to sting me.

dochologram

http://www.bicyclefacemasks.com/index.html

Received and email form this site today.
orders placed. I'll let you know how it goes.

quote
Thank you for your e-mail
Yes we are still selling the masks and helmet covers. And we now have the masks in reflective print, along with one new design. We just haven't photographed and put them on our web site yet They can reflect light up to 1/2 mile.
We will also have other new products coming soon.
Keep watching
Thanks
GobFinch enterprises
Rob

dochologram

OK find a solution.

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/9

13 bucks at ****'s sporting goods.
Just pull over your helmet and tuck in the front of your shirt.
Worked like a charm. Easy to get a water bottle under.
I wear glasses and my bike helmet has a visor.
I'm still waiting on the other one I posted because I can see how having something stiff that sticks away form you can be more comfortable.

CharlotteAnneUK

http://www.bicyclefacemasks.com/index.html

Received and email form this site today.
orders placed. I'll let you know how it goes.

quote
Thank you for your e-mail
Yes we are still selling the masks and helmet covers. And we now have the masks in reflective print, along with one new design. We just haven't photographed and put them on our web site yet They can reflect light up to 1/2 mile.
We will also have other new products coming soon.
Keep watching
Thanks
GobFinch enterprises
Rob

Excellent - Hope it goes well and you enjoy cycling as much as I. I have even started to road cycle and that was something I never thought you'd EVER catch me doing.