Wasp stings

[Dickie]

I have been pretty un-lucky with wasps over the last month. On my century with Shawn I was stung on my left temple just below my helmet by a wasp, and then on July 4th just after riding with DCV I was stung just in front of my right ear…. twice, and then again on my cheek as the wasp tried to escape my helmet strap. Luckily I’m not allergic, but holy crap my face has taken some abuse (and major swelling) lately. For those who are allergic to bee/wasp stings and riding frequently ALWAYS carry an EpiPen (or multiples) or just ride with me!

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[americancyclo]

Meant to post a missed connection but I had one bounce off my helmet then sting my knee on the way down. Wasn’t too bad until the itch two days later. By day four I was fine, but definitely not fun!

[PotomacCyclist]

It might look odd and it wouldn’t be necessary for aerodynamic reasons on a road bike, but an aero helmet with a visor can be great for warding off wasp attacks. It helps to keep dust, dirt and gnats out too. The helmet can get hotter than a standard helmet on a summer day, but I like the fact that the visor keeps all of those insects, stinging and non-stinging, off my face. I probably should use that helmet more often.

Of course, if a wasp managed to get inside one of the air vents on the aero helmet, that might be worse than if you were wearing a standard helmet.

[Terpfan]

I feel/felt your pain, literally, Dickie. I was pedaling along without a worry on mind Friday when down by Belle Haven I suddenly felt the sting on my left thigh. I haven’t been stung by a bee/wasp in quite some time so it caught me by surprise. Thankfully most of the pain eased before I got the big hill climbing portion of the ride home. I’m not allergic, but it doesn’t mean I like being stung.

[sjclaeys]

In the past 10 years or so, the only times I was stung was in connection with riding my bike. Sometimes it was due to a collision while riding (the yellow jacket down the partially open jersey is quite memorable) and other times it was just while standing after a ride. I think that bright colors do attract insects of the stinging variety.

[elbows]

I also was stung yesterday on the W&OD. I think it was a bee, not a yellow jacket. I finished my ride, but my knee is swelling up today. I was wearing white and black, for what that’s worth. Still better that the time I was stung on my tongue while riding on Custis. I’m a mouth breather.

[dasgeh]

What is going on? My mother in law was stung just below her eye while riding (in Iowa). It was the day before they came out here to visit, and all weekend, her eye was basically swollen shut. Ouch!

[Tim Kelley]

I’ve had two run ins with stinging insects over the years: One got stuck in a helmet vent on the WOD and caused me to wobble and rip off my helmet. The other was during the run portion of my Ironman last year–flew into my mouth and stung me in the back of the throat!!

[fuzzy]

Holy shizzle!!!! I’m not going to post my history, I’ll treat this real superstitious. I never thought of getting stung while riding….. I wear all black anyway…. I’d rather have a cicada get stuck in my helmet & make me fall and do a bike copter than eat a bee sting to the back of my throat….

[lim]

All of these posts are making me cringe.

The worst I’ve gotten was an insect up my nostril and out… I don’t remember what I sounded like but I bet it was high pitched and screamy-like

[JimF22003]

I got bit/stung by a huge horsefly on the Blue Ridge Parkway on Saturday. Bit right through my glove onto the top of my hand. My hand itches like a mofo now, and is swollen up compared to my other hand.

I’ve been stung by the usual suspects before, but this is the first time I’ve had any damage from a stupid fly (the thing was about the size of a seagull however, if that counts for anything…)

[Author]

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