Cycling At Times Will Require For You To

Take On Some Activities That Are Deemed

Unpleasant. However, Such Unpleasantness Are Necessary For Your Cycling Comfort, Efficiency, And Safety

There are a few topics in cycling that rarely (or never) makes the conversational round-table. Those topic includes, "What Do You Do When You Feel The Need To Blow Your Nose" and "What Is The Proper Way To Emit Fluids From The Mouth?" It is widely accepted and acknowledged among cyclists that these things happen. In fact, without these things occuring, cyclists would face a tumultuous time on their bikes. When cycling, it is quite evident that the cyclist is exposed to the elements such as the atmospheric air. At the temperature air enters the body, it creates a fluid back-up in the nasal cavity as well as in the throat once the air interacts with the body's inner temperature. As a result, it is necessary to relieve one's self of this mucus build-up in order to breathe clearly. Without breathing clearly, the body will be deprived of much needed oxygen which would further compromise comfort and performance.

 

In reality, it is not a matter of ever blowing your nose or clearing your throat, it is a matter of doing so with courtesy and safety to other cyclists. Many cyclist go out riding solo which negates the courtesy aspect. However, for the times when you find yourself in a pace-line or in a group ride, safety and courtesy must be excercised. For example, while riding in a pace-line the proper thing to do is pull out slightly to the left or right (which ever is safer and possible) and take care of business then. Another way this could be done properly is to rotate to the back of the pace-line or group. Be sure to indicate your movement before you do so if making this move may cause a potential accident. Failure to exercise such courtesy can lead to serious unpleasantness of getting your bodily fluilds on someone else which is NEVER pleasant under any situation that could be avoided.

 

Now that you have acknowledged the best ways to take care of cycling unpleasantness, lets go further into dealing with some bike handling skills as it relates. As you know, when you blow your nose while on your bike, you are also producing a certain amount of force that could cause you to loose control of your bike. As a result, exercise caution by doing the following: If you are trying to blow from your left nostril, cover your right nostril with your left hand and blow to the left. On ther other hand, if you are trying to clear your right nostril, cover your left nostril with your right hand and blow to the right. By practicing this method of blowing one direction while holding your handle-bar with the opposite hand, cancels out each other's force thus giving the cyclist more stability and less weaving. GP Sports recommend practicing these maneuvers in an environment with little or no traffic before using them in a bike ride that includes other cyclists.  

 

Lastly, in releaving one's self of nose and mouth fluids, do so in a down and away motion. This act is to secure that in the event you do not get the opportunity to get out of the pace-line or gourp far enough, you are limiting getting this fluid on other cyclists. Not only is this a type of courtesy but it secures your cycling credibility amoung your fellow cyclists. You never want certain cycling unpleasantness to be the way  you are being identified among your cycling buddies. You will definitely find yourself un-invited to certain cycling trips in the near future.

 

Team GP Sports Cycling & Fitness wants you to ride at your "Highest Potential." As a result, your fitness and safety is of high importance to us. Exercise all necessary precautions while cycling.