Bl00dy Bugs!

[ocb]

I am revisiting that horrible sensation of having small to medium sized insects embed themselves at high speed at the back of my throat, during my 30km daily commute.

Not having used a bike regularly since my teens, this is a part of cycling I didn't miss!

I've never liked the idea of a cycling mask - I've had asthma all my life and the feeling of restricted breathing quite frankly terrifies me. Now; I wouldn't mind trying a mask if a good one exists, that doesn't restrict breathing.

Does such a thing exist? Or am I resigned to trying to nose-breathe??

 

[LeighPing]

Some are more restrictive than others. Click, click.

 

[ocb]

LOL - love the gasmask photo!
I hate the idea of looking the The Gimp, but I guess it's inevitable...

I know there are good highly breathable foams out there - my rather technical long distance rucksack you can breathe through the foam like it's not there (why do that? The guy in shop did it to show it's non-sweaty back features).

I did find a UK company called Respro. The UltraLight looks like their top of the range. I don't need HEPA filter - just something to stop bugs.

http://respro.com/store/product/ultra-light

A bit pricey to just give it a bash. I think I'll get in touch with their customer service.

 

[LeighPing]

I am revisiting that horrible sensation of having small to medium sized insects embed themselves at high speed at the back of my throat, during my 30km daily commute.

I just bought one from China for £2.57. No doubt it won't be up to much by way of filtration. Although I'm pretty sure that it'll stop 'bugs'.

Why pay £46 just to stop bugs?

 

[anotherkiwi]

We crossed a jogger wearing a mask the other day. SWMBO was slightly scared by the look until I said "pollen season". I myself walk and cycle with my mouth closed, breathing through the nose, because I am allergic to grass pollen too. But I have had a few bumble bee strikes since the beginning of Spring and that is swaying me towards:


The screen will be useful for keeping bug guts off my glasses and should work nicely for riding in the rain. I think wearing a pollen mask as well should give me a sufficiently menacing look to keep stupid tourist drivers out of the way. SW will, I am sure, recommend some full body armour to complete the storm trooper look to a Tee.

Seeing the number of recent deaths of racers, both pro and amateur who died of head injuries while wearing a helmet I am not trusting this with my life...

 

[flecc]

The screen will be useful for keeping bug guts off my glasses and should work nicely for riding in the rain.

Maybe a solution for ocb would be to add a lower clear perspex/acrylic extension to a helmet mask, akin to the visors on open face motorcycle helmets. That would protect the mouth as well as the eyes.
.

 

[ocb]

I have a solid shell Bell Faction helmet + wrap-around glasses that do the job for the head and eyes, the glasses have a built in 1080p 30fps camera (posted about that somewhere else). I did wipe out on my kick scooter back in Nov. Broken ribs, badly bruised wrist joints etc, my head took a fair whack - I have to say I'm glad I was wearing a solid shell helmet!

I did think about the hockey/BMX style full mask - but having played roller hockey back in my teens, and I had a full mask - it's not an option for a commute style cycle.

I think I'll start off with a cheapo ebay mask to start

 

[Yamdude]

Try not riding like this......

 

[KirstinS]

I have nose issues so can't get airflow required when exercising. Have to mouth breathe and probably do look like that photo!

Still , can't bring myself to wear a mask. I'd rather, quite literally, suck it up

 

[Yamdude]

Bugs..... low in cholesterol, high in protein.

Always an upside.

 

[soundwave]

if i go out and dont use my goggles my helmet is like a air scoop for all the bugs.

 

[danielrlee]

I find bugs in the eyes worse than in the mouth, so I bought this Uvex City V helmet to help:

 

[ocb]

that is one cool helmet/visor!

 

[anotherkiwi]

I looked at that one too but the Casco is better finished inside, price is much of a muchness. My current 15€ Decathlon BMX helmet hurts my head so interior comfort was the main factor of choice.

 

[D8ve]

Dam you Daniel I'm going to have to go shopping now

 

[anotherkiwi]

I went earlier in the afternoon to order my Casco. And they had a damned Giant Quick-e in the window, b@stards... Besides the front light and the pedals (both easy to fix) I couldn't spot any faults, damnation...

 

[paul20v]

Bugs
Its just part of the warm weather
Ive often thought of a mask also as breathing through my rubbish nose isnt so much of an option either but i dont think i could put up with the sweat round my mouth that would inevitably come from wearing a mask
So bugs it is

 

[LeighPing]

I just bought one from China for £2.57. No doubt it won't be up to much by way of filtration. Although I'm pretty sure that it'll stop 'bugs'.

Why pay £46 just to stop bugs?
View attachment 13950

It arrived this morning.





Can't complain for a couple of quid. It'll do the job when the bugs come out and I'll carry it in my bike bag for such events.

 

[Gringo]

Wasn't bothered to much about the bugs, anoying yes, but only occasionally.
That was until a recent ride, I was stonking down a particularly steep hill
( 40+ mph freewheeling ) when I went through a swarm of the little black blighters, it felt like I was being sandblasted
I've now settled on a bandana for the worst bug ridden trails

 

[soundwave]

http://www.locationclothing.com/20-centurion-blkgreen-m-mens-location-centurion-jacket.html