Mosquitos and annoying gnats.

[frug]

Emtb FTW. Bugs go away at 7-8 miles per hour.

E-bikes really should have built in bug zappers. If they make one that does I’ll get it.

 

[serviceguy]

Best advice ride real early
Or
Get a road bike for this time of the year.

That nice dry break we had was a nice relief.
Once the wetness returns and the temps go up its game on.

Actually, while there were definitely less, the few and brave gnats have been up in arms even during the dry break. I don’t like chemicals, so I’ve adopted some unconventional measures. This is me at Shepherd’s lake getting ready for a hike on race track, the shoes are needed because I’m a light weight in case of wind. Also, my dog still tends to pull really hard. Be warned, it’s not for everyone, it may affect your Strava standings.

 

[frug]

Best advice ride real early
Or
Get a road bike for this time of the year.

That nice dry break we had was a nice relief.
Once the wetness returns and the temps go up its game on.

I’ve been embracing riding early and enjoying it. And I want to road bike but swatting at the SUVs seems to not be as effective as it is with mosquitoes. (Seriously the roads in north Jersey are beautiful but terrifying.)

 

[stoked]

I am on the road this morning and went thru many gnat clouds along Jersey City and Hoboken heading to Nyack.

 

[onetracker]

I got 2 great road bikes. Been bored of riding on road and developed a bit of back pain lately and sitting static for hours makes it worse.

I can ride MTB without back pain due to upper body movement and also miss technical XC. I don’t have problems with bugs at Lewis Morris and really haven’t seen them when I do quick nature breaks etc.

I have a feeling the bites through your jersey are biting flies. Do the welts get big and super itchy? I ride Rwood all the time and have gotten quite a few bites (deer and horse flies) this season. Ride early is the best advice IMO.

 

[wonderturtle]

Yeah the knats where annoying today

The suggestion to just ride faster rings true - the knats were absolutely an incentive to get out of the saddle and crest the hill as quickly as possible 😉

 

[Captain Brainstorm]

You’re riding bikes in the woods in summer. This is part of the game.

 

[gpTron]

I start between 6 and 7 am so that takes care of that. At that time though you get a lot of spider webs to the face. I also use deep woods bug spray. Forgot to put it on last week at Mercer County Park and found ticks on me and in my car.

 

[knobbyhead]

I start between 6 and 7 am so that takes care of that. At that time though you get a lot of spider webs to the face. I also use deep woods bug spray. Forgot to put it on last week at Mercer County Park and found ticks on me and in my car.

I suggest permitherin for ticks.

 

[slingblade_uhhuh]

I hate deer flies. If you see someone riding w/ a blue solo cup on top of their helmet, say hello. Its probably me.

 

[serviceguy]

I hate deer flies. If you see someone riding w/ a blue solo cup on top of their helmet, say hello. Its probably me.

Looks ridiculous enough for me to give it a go. I think a blu solo cup group ride should be arranged ASAP!

 

[frug]

I hate deer flies. If you see someone riding w/ a blue solo cup on top of their helmet, say hello. Its probably me.

Used to do this while trail running when I lived in Ohio. It’s disgusting but it works.

 

[OddTrickStar]

It must be the blue. I painted my house blue two years ago and the spotted lantern flies loved it. Every morning I was out there with the shop vac all through September and into October vacuuming them off the east side of my house. Haven’t seen any in my yard since.

Mosquitoes love me but I don’t use anything for bugs in the woods, just ride faster than they can fly and avoid (try) shrubs/ grass. Very sensitive to fumes/ scents/ chemicals so I’d rather wear long sleeves than bug spray. Haven’t ruled out trying permethrin for ticks on shoes or outer wear but not sure about stuff that contacts skin.