I've really grown to love riding the dirt roads around my community but the deer flies in the last couple of weeks have been awful. I found a link on a biking forum that I visit and it was a product that attracted them and captured them. I big sticky flesh colored fly tape that you wear on your helmet or hat. I found the claims to be a bit hard to believe but needed to try something because those flying teeth could spoil a nice ride. They are not only persistant but vicious and swarm. Their bite is not only painful but they itch like the dickens. I'm not allergic to them but I get a reaction that is more than just a bite.
It's hard to outrun them even on a bike and they are as annoying as all get out. If you've ever been pestered by them you are not likely to forget it. I ordered the patches a few days ago, they came and I had to try them out tonight.
Results, saw some deer flies, had one bite and saw some of them disappear once they flew behind me. See for yourself.
I had my first encounter with a dog tonight. It chased me for about 20-30 yards barking furiously, I turned my head without looking the animal in the eye and mustered up my sternest deep voice and shouted very loudly "GO HOME" about six times. I tried to look and sound fierce and literally growled out that command. I don't know if I intimidated the dog with my low growling voice or if it got bored or if there was an electronic fence in play here but I am very glad that this did not turn out bad. I pack pepper spray but little good it does zipped in my rear trunk bag. I should probably carry it clipped to my shorts. I could not imagine using it unless there was a very close encounter and I was getting bit or about to be bit.
It can be fierce out there!
Those darn flies. Very pesky. They were not as bad when I was riding in Pittsburg, NH last week, but there were certain times of the day when they drove us crazy... we were just trying to relax out on the lake, so annoying. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle knowing that flies were stuck on my cap. It's a great idea though, you're definitely a tougher woman than I am :).
ReplyDeleteWell Sue, I had no idea if and how many were stuck to the cap. For all I knew there could be none or it could have been loaded with them. I didn't look until after I got home, partly because of what you said, it's an icky thought having them stuck on there, but better there than biting or doing that crazy fly around your head thing.
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness! You need to be made of sterner stuff then me to ride through flies like that and ahead of barking dogs. I was just thinking that that's why I like cooler weather riding so much, but I know that your riding year is shorter than mine with your bitterly cold winters. I'm glad you're ok!
ReplyDeleteMBG, not so much sure if it's a matter of sterner stuff or being tough as it was more of being a victim of circumstances. Once you are in their midst there is not much to do but get through it, as for going back armed with a trap (stickum paper) well it's one hazard or another, dirt roads don't have the high traffic but they do have the natural pests. I believe the season for deer flies is short and may be past. I'll find out today on my ride into some back country.
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