TdF and the call of nature

[missymaya]

So, been watchin all of this TdF stuff and just looking in aww at how fast these guys go and a question popped into my head: So, the guys get breaks for the "call of nature", which for them is pretty simple. What about the ladies? What do the ladies do in a long race?

[Tri Girl]

Ummm...on some of my long training rides last year it was wherever I had some cover. So far this year I've only had to hit the trees once.:D
I've heard that pro women sometimes just wet their pants- but that seems....disgusting. Don't know if it's true or not???

I love when watching coverage they say that so and so's taken a natural break. Don't know why it cracks me up.

[AllezGirl]

http://grahamwatson.com/gw/imagedocs.nsf/updateframesetcall?openform&07tdfSt4

Photo 4 seemed appropriate for this discussion. :D

[Eden]

I've done some long races and for the most part the women take a break or two usually fairly early into the race (1st 20-30 miles) before things really heat up. Everyone pulls over and as discretely as possible does their thing.
I have heard stories of women not wanting to slow down for any reason and wetting themselves..... ick
I have witnessed, really big ick, a woman who was lined up in front of me at a crit, pull her shorts leg aside a little and let fly -right on Main Street. Eewww, nasty!

[dex]

I realize that there's all kinds of absorbency and wicking going on with the fabrics/chamois of the shorts, but (ick factor aside) wetting oneself just seems...uncomfortable.

[Tri Girl]

Photo 4 seemed appropriate for this discussion. :D

That's hilarious. Never seen that before on the TV coverage. ;)

[Eden]

That's hilarious. Never seen that before on the TV coverage. ;)

Over the years they've gotten to be very, very good at cutting to a different shot :rolleyes:

[ehirsch83]

that picture cracked me up! i made it the background on my laptop:-)

[pooks]

Photo 4 seemed appropriate for this discussion. :D

Thank you. No question, that's my blog entry for today!

[smilingcat]

If you are pro rider with money on the line, its understandable. But as an amature rider, why would you? You ruin the seat, you ruin your shorts... BIG ICK is right!!

My brother-in-law says just do it. No thank you!

Nature's Miracle on cat pee works but not 100% and I wouldn't expect Nature's Miracle to work on my seat, ICK (Nature's Miracle is a liquid product which is supposed to neutralize cat urine ...)

smilingcat

[RoadRaven]

Yup, the guys stop and pee on the side of the road when they can... Dunno about pro-women.

However, some drop to the back of the peloton and lift the side of their shorts and pee as they ride (my partner tells me this is not limited to Tour riders... apparently that can happen in the longer races he has been in too! When they are racing 120kms or more and averaging 35-40km over hills, you can't afford to stop and pee because you will never regain the ground you lose).

I have heard via local cyclists that have ridden overseas in semi-pro /pro teams that in the event of #2 a cap (you know, baseball cap) may be shoved down the back of the pants, the deed done and scooped out of the shorts and tossed! *Rave shudders* I'd hate to be the one to find THAT souvenier!

I have peed in my shorts once... that was a freezing day, rain pouring down. I had bibs on, there was no way I was going to strip right off, and I didn't want to stop and lose what little warmth my body still had. So it is possible to pee in the saddle (obviously, being a girl, lifting the side of my shorts would have been pointless).

However, if it had not been raining, I think I probably would have stopped despite the cold. The rain gave me the psychological "ok" to do it... it would wash me, my bike, my clothes clean. I had half an hour to travel - thats a long wash in a cold shower.

[Eden]

I have heard via local cyclists that have ridden overseas in semi-pro /pro teams that in the event of #2 a cap (you know, baseball cap) may be shoved down the back of the pants, the deed done and scooped out of the shorts and tossed! *Rave shudders* I'd hate to be the one to find THAT souvenier!

eeeewwwww! I've also heard that you might want to be careful about any cast off water bottles that appear to be full........
guys I've heard can perfect ways of threading anatomy down shorts legs or over waist bands so that they can go on the fly (look for one rider holding another one up at the back of the peleton and often this is what they are doing) I also know a racer around here who is a bit handy with a sewing machine and sewed a fly into a pair of this shorts. He took some ribbing from the other guys for having a "mangina", but he can beat them so their teasing can't get to far.

[Tri Girl]

"mangina"

Never heard that phrase before... hilarious! :D
Just as funny as the guy (a friend of ours) at the LBS who gave DH crap because he got a seat with a cut-out. Called the seat his "cl*t slit seat."
I took offense to that, but both of our "areas" love the cut-out, thank you very much... ;)

[teigyr]

I have heard via local cyclists that have ridden overseas in semi-pro /pro teams that in the event of #2 a cap (you know, baseball cap) may be shoved down the back of the pants, the deed done and scooped out of the shorts and tossed! *Rave shudders* I'd hate to be the one to find THAT souvenier!



Ok, got to say...if that is the case they have FAR more coordination and ability than I have. That is all.

[Meg McKilty]

However, some drop to the back of the peloton and lift the side of their shorts and pee as they ride

But even with as fast as they go when going slowly, the wind would make the urine rain on them somehow! Eekers.

By the way, if you notice the guy in green on the #4 photo, what in the crap is he doing, anyways?!

[twinkie]

I found this article through some link on Bicycling.com

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/coachcorn/evacuation.html

:eek:

[li10up]

But even with as fast as they go when going slowly, the wind would make the urine rain on them somehow! Eekers.

By the way, if you notice the guy in green on the #4 photo, what in the crap is he doing, anyways?!

As best as I can tell he's pulling down the front of his shorts with his left hand and fishing "it" out with his right. :o

[spokewench]

Men often pee off the side of the bike when they are racing, they just pull it out of their shorts and kind of shift their weight to the side and pee. I've seen it often, mostly when I have been driving wheel support. The last time I drove wheel support I was following the young masters (35+) and they were gentlemenly enough to take a pee stop off to the side of the road. I averted my eyes as I stopped the wheel truck behind them! I guess I'm shy.

I have never tried to pee on the bike, sounds nasty, but I have many times arranged for a stop on the side of the road to pee. It's just part of the game.

[PscyclePath]

I found this article through some link on Bicycling.com

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/coachcorn/evacuation.html

:eek:


If you've ever read Bobke II, Bob Roll tells a hilarious story about when the call of nature hit him during a hotly contested stage of the '87 Tour.

In the '03 Tour, Robbie McEwen was hit by the same bug, and was seen to do a running, cyclo-cross dismount from his bike followed by a sprint to a convenient thicket. He emerged a minute or so later, minus his left glove, and rode to the finish.

Nature calls, and is sometimes tough to ignore...

[Suzi-Sue]

Good thread! lol
I have been trying to get my head around this for the past 6 days now (since the start of the TdF!)
It made me laugh when i saw the CSC team orginising themselves for a 'comfort break' :D
then the thought did occur...what about the women!

My friend told me that the men just wet themselves on the TdF, but clearly, it is easy for them just to stop for a quick break. then again, wetting yourself would be the easiest option....but how uncomfortable would that be?! YUK!
:eek:

I think these might be of some interest for those of you into outdoor sports like camping/hiking/and yes, cycling!

I like to camp n hike n all in my spare time, and found this neat invention for women to 'releive themselves in the woods, without the embarresment of baring your backside to everyone!
http://www.shewee.com/buy.html
Haven't got one though, but i think it's a great idea :)

[tygab]

From that link....

>>If you are reusing the Shewee to give urine samples, the Shewee can be sterilized...<<<

Note to self: Never work for a company that requires Shewee urine tests!

[Zen]

This thread has been so ...enlightening.

[bikerHen]

By the way, if you notice the guy in green on the #4 photo, what in the crap is he doing, anyways?!

Shaking it off? Maybe a quick inspection? Who knows with boys and their toys. :eek:

There was a camera shot, I think on day two, that was showing about ten riders taking a nature break. Phil even may a few coments about what they were doing. :rolleyes:

bikerHen

[snapdragen]

I think Phil calls them "natural breaks".

I met a woman in Canada a few years ago - a professional triathlete. She said when you gotta go, you pee yourself.:eek:

[Kano]

I think Phil calls them "natural breaks".


Yeah, and some guy broke his clavicule the other day too.

But when he gets excited by the action at the end of the day, it's all worthwhile...

Karen in Boise

[Wahine]

I think Phil calls them "natural breaks".

I met a woman in Canada a few years ago - a professional triathlete. She said when you gotta go, you pee yourself.:eek:

I had a tri coach that was quite disappointed in one of my races. She was also a pro. When I told her that I had spent too much time in the porta potties. She said "you'll just have to learn to pee in our pants." To which I responded, "Not until you start paying me to do these races and besides it was a diarrhea problem". She said that she could teach me how to take care of that on the go as well. I simply declined.

[snapdragen]

To which I responded, "Not until you start paying me to do these races and besides it was a diarrhea problem". She said that she could teach me how to take care of that on the go as well. I simply declined.

A wise choice!

[BikeMomma]

Hmm...this has on-the-bike possibilites. :p (sorry, had to post it...just HAD to!)
http://mysweetpee.com/index.asp

~BikeMomma

[El Hombre]

Now I remember why I gave up racing bicycles and started sailing:D

[BikeMomma]

Now I remember why I gave up racing bicycles and started sailing:DSo are ya saying that you never have to pee off the side of the boat? Don't lie now.....'cause I know better! <snicker> :p
~K

[RolliePollie]

Oh my, that TdF picture is classic! What a crack up! I swear, guys have it so much easier sometimes.

The other night, I was on a group ride that just happened to pass my house. I couldn't resist stopping for a potty break. Of course, no one else stopped so then the group ride became a solo ride for me. But there was no way I passing up the opportunity to use a real bathroom. I don't think I could ever pee in my shorts.

[Trekhawk]

Hmm...this has on-the-bike possibilites. :p (sorry, had to post it...just HAD to!)
http://mysweetpee.com/index.asp

~BikeMomma

LOL - might need an extra big seat bag for that.:D :D

[Whip]

the wind would make the urine rain on them somehow!

Frankly, I would rather get pee on me than someone's snot. Just a personal preference.

[RoadRaven]

I met a woman in Canada a few years ago - a professional triathlete. She said when you gotta go, you pee yourself.:eek:

Yup... as I admitted to on the first page... when you gotta go, you do.

I'm with Whip - I would prefer wee than snot... isn't wee supposed to be sterile upon exit from the body? And I believe it is less likely to carry the host of infectious bacteria and virus' that seem to thrive in "nose mucous" :eek:

[Eden]

Yup... as I admitted to on the first page... when you gotta go, you do.

I'm with Whip - I would prefer wee than snot... isn't wee supposed to be sterile upon exit from the body? And I believe it is less likely to carry the host of infectious bacteria and virus' that seem to thrive in "nose mucous" :eek:

I had a professor in college who was had been an eye specialist. He would cringe whenever he saw someone put a contact lens in their mouth to wet it before putting it in their eye. He said your mouth (and I'm sure snot) is so full of bacteria that it would be much better to pee on it - at least that is sterile (unless you have an active infection).

[CR400]

You know this topic always comes up this time of year. I have often wonder what other women do in this situation. I usually am half dehydrated most of the time so I usually don't have to go.
However, I went to a race once that had no restroom before the race so had to go out back. Anyway so nothing to wipe with and it still manages to run down your leg no matter how you stand, sit, squat whatever. Anyway so pull up the shorts and realize I had gotten then wet from pulling them back up to quick I guess. That was a gross feeling, but you get over it quick when you are racing.
But one thing to think about when purposely wetting shorts, if you get an open sore or abrasion before it dries, it is gonna hurt.

[El Hombre]

So are ya saying that you never have to pee off the side of the boat? Don't lie now.....'cause I know better! <snicker> :p
~K

All that beer has got to go somewhere :cool: That's what's so cool about sailboat racing versus bike racing. It's kinda hard to drink and ride. Drinking is required to sail:D

[crazycanuck]

Um yes you can be a pro or whomever at a tri and pee BUT don't let any of the tech officials see it. Big no no as it's a health risk (as a TO i wouldn't like having pee drift towards my face whilst on the back of a motorbike thanks!).

c