Dirty B******s

thescouselander

So before I was riding home from work, minding my own business, until I came up to this cyclist who was producing a constant spray of spit and snot to the side and behind him. I followed at a safe distance for about half a mile until I decided enough was enough and went past him - I passed quickly but to be honest it was a risky manoeuvre.

Anyway, it looked like this guy was a regular cyclist so I'm not sure if he behaves like that all the time but I thought having to ride near him was pretty gross. I nearly had a go at him but refrained as I didn't want to get into an argument. Now I'm thinking I should have said something to save someone else the same problem.

What's with these people? Should I have said something or did I do the right thing?

flasher

Maybe he was riding off a cold, who knows!

webby_1805

I think you did the right thing,i would not of given him the time of day as there is no need for it even if you have a cold.

thescouselander

Flasher wrote:

Maybe he was riding off a cold, who knows!

I'm sure we've all been there but if I'm riding off a cold and need to off load some nasty stuff I at least look behind me to make sure no one will get sprayed. In this case we were riding down a dedicated cycle track that's really busy with commuter traffic so a bit of care would have been a good thing.

giropaul

I recommend that you don't ride any races abroad, especially Belgium.

It's not just snot that comes back through the pelaton!!

Secteur

I'm going to regret saying this, but I never spit - I always swallow.

OK, get your dirty innuendo out of the way!

Seriously though, I have never, ever, ever once spat out whilst cycling. Just dont understand spitters.

BridlingtonBiker

I'm sorry but for some cyclists it can't be helped. Wind getting into the tear ducts has the effect of producing masses of the green stuff. I'd make myself sick if I swallowed the amount i produce

essjaydee

Title of this thread defines me then at the moment :oops:

Had a mild cold for the last week now and amazed out how efficient the body is at producing so much snot. Wish it was of some use as I could have made a good living off it this past week, but instead had the embarrassment of having to snort every 10 minutes or so. I do have a good look round first though and try and be as discreet as possible, but it's a real nuisance at the moment

Don't hold it against me though, I'm a nice person honest

shouldbeinbed

I confess to being in the snot rocket gang at the moment, I'm stuck with a persistent git of a cold . God got me back the other day when I had a misfire and covered my own cheek.

DavidJB

I produce a shed load of snot all year round so have to get rid of it. Sorry for you if thats what makes you wince like a little girl.

NickintheLakes

I do hope a dog walker or worse, their dog, didn't tread in those slimey gobbets.

bus_ter

At this time of year my nose runs if I have a cold or not! I either have to keep wiping my nose with my gloves or 'blow and eject' to one side! Works well without the mess on the gloves. I always check behind me, and I never, ever spit!

Bordersroadie

I'm with the dirty b astards, in fact I'm quite proud of my ambidextrous snot-rocket skills, honed over several decades.

I thought it was all part of cycling, especially winter cycling. It's a bit annoying when you hit a newly washed leg of your tights and great forethought is needed in crosswinds.

I seriously have to remind myslef not to do it when I'm on the turbo trainer - I imagine my wife would call me the same as the thread title if I fired one onto her carpet in the spare room and she'd be quite justified! Out on the road is a different thing altogether.

If you're offended by snot rockets you must be a fragile creature. I think MTFU is the term, isn't it? And learn to fire back, ha ha!!

Blancmange

Poor guy might have had rabies.

On a personal point: My nose constantly streams in the colder weather. A flick of the head
to the left or right, and bolas of snot wends its way to either verge or tarmac. Job done!

DavidJB

I loved learning the 'fire out of one nostril' trick...saved me loads of time storing it up in my throat. :twisted:

Teece

I wish I knew how to 'clear my nose' properly. At the moment, I'm stopping every few miles to get the hankie out!
But how does one learn this technique? Practise in the shower?

ptr_

Teece wrote:

I wish I knew how to 'clear my nose' properly. At the moment, I'm stopping every few miles to get the hankie out!
But how does one learn this technique? Practise in the shower?

Press finger onto one nostril.
Tilt head to avoid getting snot on shoulder.
Blow hard.

I'm with the dirty b*stards, it's part of cycling. In fairness I always check that theres no one behind me when I do clear my nose.

Chris`I

ptr_ wrote:

Teece wrote:

I wish I knew how to 'clear my nose' properly. At the moment, I'm stopping every few miles to get the hankie out!
But how does one learn this technique? Practise in the shower?

Press finger onto one nostril.
Tilt head to avoid getting snot on shoulder.
Blow hard.

I'm with the dirty b*stards, it's part of cycling. In fairness I always check that theres no one behind me when I do clear my nose.

Remember to blast it hard and fast. If you try and taper off, you can end up with a snail trail on your shoulder. You need to get it out in one gob as it were.

Unfortunately I have the same problem, anything other than warm dry weather and I have streams of snot rockets on rides. I do a cursory check over the shoulder to check for other people first and generally aim for grass verge or bushes.

pilot_pete

Teece wrote:

I wish I knew how to 'clear my nose' properly. At the moment, I'm stopping every few miles to get the hankie out!
But how does one learn this technique? Practise in the shower?

On the bike. Close off right nostril with right thumb. Tilt head down and to the right. Blow out hard and through your nose and it will clear your left nostril. It should miss the right side of you and your body, and your right arm if you hold your elbow up. Reverse for other nostril. Do of course check for other road users before completing said exercise. Jobs a good un and nobody will get offended if you only do it when nobody is around.

PP

shouldbeinbed

NickintheLakes wrote:

I do hope a dog walker or worse, their dog, didn't tread in those slimey gobbets.

Either you ride way too close into the gutter or your head is pressured up like an airzound

hopper1

I close the right nostril with the right thumb, but also use right index finger to push across left cheek, fully opening the airway for maximum velocity
During a TT race, I stay aero, which means just covering chin, arms, Garmin, bars and top tube in anythng I evacuate!
Always carry baby wipes

neeb

Secteur wrote:

I'm going to regret saying this, but I never spit - I always swallow.

OK, get your dirty innuendo out of the way!

Seriously though, I have never, ever, ever once spat out whilst cycling. Just dont understand spitters.

I've always managed to keep it in too, and I produce loads of snot in my sinuses when I'm exercising, especially in winter.. There's a special (and pretty loud) snorting technique I have that just brings it all to the back of the throat and then down it goes, never felt the need to expel it..

Another advantage - you are recycling fluid you would otherwise be losing, which is helping you keep hydrated!

cornerblock

Peddle Up!

It's an art and a science as discussed here before.

neilo23

I know it's not very professional but I always bring tissues with me. I don't race and I don't think there's anything about this in "The Rules". Had enough disasters with the thumb over the nostril method. And tissues can come in useful for other things when I'm out and about (such as wiping oily hands in case anyone gets any dodgy ideas).

cyco2

I have practised various techniques but the one I favour is the under the armpit rocket. The over the shoulder ones generally end up on my jacket. So much so that they are making a crusty layer. I am amazed how long they get at times and cause me to wobble a bit to get them under control. I hate those that I have to wipe off with my glove and they will not let go. I would not advise anybody getting near me when I'm expunging.

charliew87

Had issues with this the other day for the first time. Large quantities of phlegm building up within my nostrils and throat. Quick check over the shoulder to see if anyone was within range, and as I was in the middle of nowhere I ejected both barrels onto the road. Which in the grand scheme of things is not that pleasant but is not going to affect anything.

essjaydee

I find the projected trajectory of ejected snot depends very much on the windspeed and direction too :shock:

Don't forget to check this before expelling, regardless of preferred method of over or under the shoulder/arm etc

bianchimoon

thescouselander wrote:

So before I was riding home from work, minding my own business, until I came up to this cyclist who was producing a constant spray of spit and snot to the side and behind him. I followed at a safe distance for about half a mile until I decided enough was enough and went past him - I passed quickly but to be honest it was a risky manoeuvre.

Anyway, it looked like this guy was a regular cyclist so I'm not sure if he behaves like that all the time but I thought having to ride near him was pretty gross. I nearly had a go at him but refrained as I didn't want to get into an argument. Now I'm thinking I should have said something to save someone else the same problem.

What's with these people? Should I have said something or did I do the right thing?

It's what cyclist and most sportsmen do, get over it. If you're pushing yourself and susceptible to creating this gunge you have to get rid of it somehow, just be as considerate as possible under the circumstances

Velonutter

bianchimoon wrote:

thescouselander wrote:

So before I was riding home from work, minding my own business, until I came up to this cyclist who was producing a constant spray of spit and snot to the side and behind him. I followed at a safe distance for about half a mile until I decided enough was enough and went past him - I passed quickly but to be honest it was a risky manoeuvre.

Anyway, it looked like this guy was a regular cyclist so I'm not sure if he behaves like that all the time but I thought having to ride near him was pretty gross. I nearly had a go at him but refrained as I didn't want to get into an argument. Now I'm thinking I should have said something to save someone else the same problem.

What's with these people? Should I have said something or did I do the right thing?

It's what cyclist and most sportsmen do, get over it. If you're pushing yourself and susceptible to creating this gunge you have to get rid of it somehow, just be as considerate as possible under the circumstances

+1

If I'm on an easy gentle ride then no pobs with snot, but when I am breathing out of my a*se then it can't be helped, I always look behind and if poss drift into the other side of the road for a blow. I don't spit, just get a running nose.

BelgianBeerGeek

It's either the "Postman's Blow" or you drown in your own snot. I know which one I choose. As said above, if you've had a cold it can be frightening how much snot accumulates. There's now way I'm holding it in.