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Dive-bombing bees on a bike ride
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 2015-08-05 11:46 AM |
Master  2042   Albany, NY |  Subject: Dive-bombing bees on a bike rideI went for a 40 mile ride in VT over the weekend and for the first 20 miles or so, I swear I had bees dive-bombing my head. I could hear the buzz and "twack" as they hit my helmet. One smacked me right under the eye and apparently got me, because my eye is now hugely puffed up and I can see the spot where it stungme. I counted probably 10 "twacks" and not all together, so it's not like I was riding through an angry swarm of bugs or anything. I was almost relieved that the wind picked up for the second half, because that seemed to cut down on the insects. The thing is, this isn't the first time this has happened to me. On many other rides closer to home (in NY) this happens to me. Even in vacation in VA, this has happened to me. Once, one flew directly into my eye. Fortunately, I blinked so it hit my eyelid but the contact blinded me for a minute - a little scary out on the road. And I probbaly ride between 15-17 MPH, on average, so it's not like I am totally sitting still on the bike Does this happen to ANYone else? My hubby, who was on the ride with me thought I was making it up - until my eye totally puffed up. I should buy a new pair of sunglasses to protect my eyes... but I'm also afraid of them getting in my helmet. And it's really distracting when they hit - I don't like being stung!! |
| 2015-08-05 12:09 PM in reply to: rnihill |
Champion 10018 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: Dive-bombing bees on a bike ride We've had bad luck lately and my husband was stung once in the head and a few times in the torso on two recent rides. I've gotten stung in my armpit and upper thigh. I have never really encountered multiple bees like that, although regularly am deflecting all kind of bugs. I love the big ones that seems to always hit my chest. They are almost as bad as the gross swarms of gnats in places that you have to try to ride through with your mouth shut. And then there are the bugs you don't notice, which are plastered to arms, legs, neck when you're done. |
| 2015-08-05 2:03 PM in reply to: rnihill |
Champion 7036 Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: Dive-bombing bees on a bike ride I've been stung a couple of times by wasps that got in my helmet. Definitely not a pleasant experience. Just out of curiosity, were you wearing or carrying anything that might have attracted the bees? Fragrance, bright colors, etc. ? Most of my encounters have been random occurrences, not mass attacks. Mark
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| 2015-08-05 2:12 PM in reply to: rnihill |
Extreme Veteran 1190  Silicon Valley | Subject: RE: Dive-bombing bees on a bike ride Rhoda one thing to watch out for are highly scented sun screen products. They will most definitely attract bees. I have only had one problem with bees over the past few years. was riding down a rural road (read narrow and no shoulder) and a bee keeper was smoking out a hive right next to the road. I got as far to the other side as was possible and hit the pedals hard. I heard a lot of buzzing but managed to get by quickly unscathed. |
| 2015-08-05 4:45 PM in reply to: Stuartap |
Master 2042 Albany, NY | Subject: RE: Dive-bombing bees on a bike ride I hadn't showered so I wasn't very fragrant...  But I did have sunscreen on (and usually do) while my hubby did not. It's just normal sunscreen... but maybe that's it? I do wear brighter colors on the bike because I like to be seen... and I doubt hubby would every be caught in hot pink. So maybe that's it too... Thanks! |
| 2015-08-05 5:39 PM in reply to: rnihill |
Master 8247 Eugene, Oregon Bronze member | Subject: RE: Dive-bombing bees on a bike ride Could be the color/design of your jersey. They can be attracted to floral colors and patterns. I did get dive-bombed and repeatedly stung while riding through a bunch of meadows in Provence. Mom (in a plain jersey) was not. Since then I haven't worn that particular jersey (a Pearl Izumi number with cherry blossom print) for "flowery" rides! Sunscreen might have scents that can attract them--the ones with zinc oxide or other mineral blocks don't seem to. |
| 2015-08-05 6:17 PM in reply to: Hot Runner |
| 319 Sarasota, Florida | Subject: RE: Dive-bombing bees on a bike ride Bees no. Flying ants yeah. I went during the wrong time of the year and came home covered in smooshed ants all over from head to toe. It was pretty gross. |
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