Summer and flies.

Keiron Curtis

Well spring has sprung, and already on my commute I'm cycling through flies alongside the hedgerows etc.. How does everyone cope ? Last year it became offputting, having to cycle through them, on top of that bites on the legs-OUCH! Then the subsequent itching. I tried insect repellent, but that had little effect. Glasses kept them out of my eyes, I don't want to go out completely covered up. Any advice please.

asprilla

I see them as good carbs and protein.

Stevo_666

Keiron Curtis wrote:

Well spring has sprung, and already on my commute I'm cycling through flies alongside the hedgerows etc.. How does everyone cope ? Last year it became offputting, having to cycle through them, on top of that bites on the legs-OUCH! Then the subsequent itching. I tried insect repellent, but that had little effect. Glasses kept them out of my eyes, I don't want to go out completely covered up. Any advice please.

Cycle faster and keep your gob shut !

Kieran_Burns

might affect your FCN a little though

R_T_A

There's nothing really, apart from glasses (which you do).

It's one of the joys of summer cycling, like having your nose running

kelsen

Stevo 666 wrote:

Keiron Curtis wrote:

Well spring has sprung, and already on my commute I'm cycling through flies alongside the hedgerows etc.. How does everyone cope ? Last year it became offputting, having to cycle through them, on top of that bites on the legs-OUCH! Then the subsequent itching. I tried insect repellent, but that had little effect. Glasses kept them out of my eyes, I don't want to go out completely covered up. Any advice please.

Cycle faster and keep your gob shut !

I snorted one up my nose the other day! Visions of maggots crawling about in my brain still haunts me!

rolf_f

kelsen wrote:

I snorted one up my nose the other day! Visions of maggots crawling about in my brain still haunts me!

Don't worry about that - it won't be long before the maggots will have eaten the parts of your brain that give you visions.......

Kieran_Burns

Rolf F wrote:

kelsen wrote:

I snorted one up my nose the other day! Visions of maggots crawling about in my brain still haunts me!

Don't worry about that - it won't be long before the maggots will have eaten the parts of your brain that give you visions.......

You'll be safe, people forget that maggots only eat dead flesh.

Oh, wait :shock:

roundthebend

I have a Trek Mates Choob which works really well and doesn't cause me to overheat. Plus sunglasses.

Keiron Curtis

Thanks roundthebend, seems like a solution to the insects gaining access to inside my shirt at least. The rest of you seem to have given up on the problem, and are more than happy to chew flies, but I'll keep trying to make my ride more comfortable.

Headhuunter

I've heard that high levels of vitamin B can put biting insects off for some people, try taking a high dose vitamin B complex supplement. Vitamin B is water soluble so any excess will just go into you urine rather than poison you. Otherwise, mozzies hate smoking, you could spark up a Marlboro or 2 and attach them to you bars so they waft smoke, like incense sticks, all over you as you ride!

roundthebend

Keiron Curtis wrote:

Thanks roundthebend, seems like a solution to the insects gaining access to inside my shirt at least. The rest of you seem to have given up on the problem, and are more than happy to chew flies, but I'll keep trying to make my ride more comfortable.

The Choob is quite stretchy so you can pull it up over your mouth and nose without a massive loss of breathing capability. Probably not ideal if you're doing a long and fast paced commute, but for a gentle ride or shorter distance then it's great. I consumed not a single bug last year.

Jay dubbleU

Got one in my helmet the other day - could feel it crawling about so I had to stop and take my helmet off - felt huge but it was this tiny little fly

Radioactiveman

I smear dog crap on a buddy and all the flies are attracted to him :twisted:

silentman

Hi , Avon Skin so Soft dry body oil is a fantastic repellant and smells quite nice too.

Kieran_Burns

silentman wrote:

Hi , Avon Skin so Soft dry body oil is a fantastic repellant and smells quite nice too.

Glad you reminded me of that! My Mum is an area rep - must ask her to get some.

kelsen

silentman wrote:

Hi , Avon Skin so Soft dry body oil is a fantastic repellant and smells quite nice too.

...and before anyone starts calling you a big girls blouse, the SAS use this stuff, and they're known to be well 'ard!

Satu

kelsen wrote:

...and before anyone starts calling you a big girls blouse, the SAS use this stuff, and they're known to be well 'ard!

Except for their skin, I guess!

mtb-idle

I commute in London. All the exhaust fumes kill all the flies :thumbsup:

Cafewanda

No way. The fumes just send the flies to Balham/Clapham/Stockwell.......... in fact the flies are on my commute :evil:

Paul E

kelsen wrote:

silentman wrote:

Hi , Avon Skin so Soft dry body oil is a fantastic repellant and smells quite nice too.

...and before anyone starts calling you a big girls blouse, the SAS use this stuff, and they're known to be well 'ard!

It does work, I was at a wedding in Scotland in full kilt etc and believe me I was glad I had it on with the midges, I do seemt o remember it's only one fragrance thats got the "thing" in the insects hate though.

biondino

Flies? A mere bagatelle. Seeds from plane trees, now that is the annoyance for London cyclists.