potty break?

[amgdjp]

Am I the only one who needs a pee break on any ride longer than 2 hours? I live in a semi-rural area, but there are often cars. What do you guys do?

[DarcyInOregon]

Ha, ha, ha. Suzie and Ellen should read this thread. They are two other TE members.

We did a 72-miler on Saturday and for some reason it was hard to find the porta potties on that ride. It seemed like we spent miles and miles swiveling our heads looking for the porta potties. We finally found one, and Ellen went in it and it tipped over. I don't think Ellen thought it was funny, but I did. :D

Have this thread become a resource on how to find the porta potties. Here are my hints:

1. The far side of farmers' fields, but you have to get off the bike and trudge across the field, and then it might tip over. :D
2. Behind rural and small town schools there are porta potties, but you have to bike in and go behind and look.

Otherwise, carry tissue with you, go down a side road, go behind a bush or tree, and make sure there is no poison oak.

And don't count on a porta potty remaining in the same spot. The farmers move them and the schools move them.

Darcy

[Starfish]

I use state park & camping area porta-potties. I use them at truck-weighing scales if it is after trucker's hours. I go in convenience stores, if there is one. I go behind trees when there isn't. I have slid down scree to go behind the one tree in the alpine environment.

I've learned to drop my shorts and go, FAST. I've used tissue, no tissue, and leaves, depending on what I'm doing.

It helps to develop a less-sensitive sense of modesty! :p

[crazycanuck]

I just find a nice tree...and keep my fingers crossed that noone zooms by...

:o

C

[mimitabby]

yesterday at about mile 20 of a 30 mile ride, i had to go. We found a portapotty (VERY clean) and only one other person used it, out of 6 riders. They all had coffee and water and breakfast the same time i did.

:confused: :confused:

[Veronica]

No, I hardly ever need to go once I'm on the bike. Driving to the start of a ride is another story. However, I will use the facilities whenever I stop - just in case. :D

And yes I do hydrate. I just think it all becomes sweat. :rolleyes:

V.

[mimitabby]

so to answer your question; at the beginning of a ride, once an hour.
during the ride once every 2 hours.

[sundial]

Well, our version of a porta potty is to duck down into a slough or to go behind a farming implement left in the field. :rolleyes:

[salsabike]

Are you kidding? ALL THE TIME. It actually varies from a high of once an hour to sometimes every three-four hours, but it is always a major issue for me. Bladder the size of a pea. And once I start drinking...oh boy.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Porta-potties??? Where??? There aren't any around here, that's for sure! What a great concept! (but who would pay for them??)

But there are LOTS of trees and woods and bushes around here and it's not too hard to find a hidden spot in the fields and bushes right off the side of the road. I find if I lay my bike right down in the tall grass instead of leaning it against a tree, then motorists won't see it, slow down, or wonder who's (free?) bike it is.
I just pee fast and use some leaves or grass. I avoid the poison ivy though. :eek:
I can usually do up to a 3 hour ride without going.

[cosc]

The few spots on my rides that I can see a long distance both directions becomes my pee break. This area is very rural, so you just have to keep your eye out for farmers and ranchers in their fields.

[ehirsch83]

RIDE HARDER!! Then you won't have to pee, it will all come out as sweat!

[cyclingmom01]

I run & ride with the "peeingist" ( I made that one up!) group of women. They're amazed that I never have to pee. Anyhow, they'll go anywhere. If you've done any sort of long distance running, it's no big deal. Ya gotta go, ya gotta go.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

RIDE HARDER!! Then you won't have to pee, it will all come out as sweat!

Hmmm....I think if I rode that hard I might be in danger of not enjoying my bike ride through the countryside as much as I do now. I'll stick with peeing. :D ;) :cool:

[boy in a kilt]

It's not just women that have to pee lots on rides. I'm good for about 90 minutes before it's time to go.

A Physician's Assistant friend of mine said the two products of metabolizing carbohydrates are carbon dioxide and water. So if I have to pee lots, it means my water intake is enough or almost enough to keep up with the rate at which I lose water through sweat.

I'm wondering if there isn't another reason though. I came up from a hard ride the other night knowing I was dehydrated. Still had to pee after the ride.

[East Hill]

Some of my routes are planned with bathroom facilities built in!

Otherwise, learn to go quickly. It's a good skill to have.

Learn to use leaves, grass, whatever's at hand.

East Hill

[Starfish]

Porta-potties??? Where??? There aren't any around here, that's for sure! What a great concept! (but who would pay for them??)

Construction companies and logging truck weighing stations! Sometimes the county, for their county parks.

[oxysback]

Ha, ha, ha. Suzie and Ellen should read this thread. They are two other TE members.

We did a 72-miler on Saturday and for some reason it was hard to find the porta potties on that ride. It seemed like we spent miles and miles swiveling our heads looking for the porta potties. We finally found one, and Ellen went in it and it tipped over. I don't think Ellen thought it was funny, but I did. :D
Darcy

Man...seemed like we passed 5 or 6 porta-potties (either WAAAAY out in the field or on private property) before we found the 'tipsy' one! Just for the record...it was on a little trailer, and the trailer tipped. So it's not like I dumped the thing!

What Darcy didn't say was that the next one we found (sparkling clean!) came with a Doberman who looked like he took his guard duty job seriously. So on we went until we got to this gas station/drive-thru coffee shop. Score!! And I walked around and it was LOCKED with a padlock! Then someone pointed me to one across the parking lot. SHEW!! I thought I was gonna pee my pants! :eek: :D

[Jiffer]

Sometimes I can get through a 2 hour ride without a potty break. Yet other times, like yesterday, it's non-stop. We rode about 2 1/2 hours. I peed twice during the ride and had to go SO bad during our last 45 minutes home!!! What's THAT all about?!

I'm lucky that most my routes have bathroom options available, whether porta potties or gas stations. Once I tried to go at a camp site, but the bathrooms were locked, so I squatted behind them instead. :o

You gotta do what you gotta do! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one around here peeing all the time! :D

[Scarlet]

I dont think the peeing is the problem, just go if you have to there is always somewhere, jump a hedge if you need, :eek:
I always seem to choose the time to go when a car, runner or walkers come by.:o
For me it would be a nightmare if there was no loo to be seen and i needed the "other"
I dont understand how anyone could use a porta pottie they are sooooooooo disgusting, would rather dig a hole. At least its just your own "stuff"

so ...
always have in your seatpack.......:rolleyes:
tissues, hand wipes, trowel, large brown paper bag to cover your eyes so no one can see you as you squat (ostrich)

happy squatting
Scarlet

[RoadRaven]

I usually don't need to, but if I have drunk loads and had a "gentle" ride and its over two hours... then a flax bush, a line of trees, behind grapes in a vinyard (often not fenced in the Bay).

Thats why I do not wear bibs on long rides... takes too long to enable any semblance of discretion or modesty...

[sandra]

I am not a good squatter, and that's all I have to say. :D

[SouthernBelle]

I almost never have to pee while riding, no matter how much I drink. I think something about my position stifles the urge. This is odd because normally I am a dues paying member of the Tiny Bladder Society.

Plus I am a sweaty girl.

[VeloVT]

Probably TMI time... But has anyone ever used one of these?

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39277920&memberId=12500226

I've seriously considered getting one. They fold up/retract, and I think they fit in a pocket/seatbag. It definitely be handy for when there are no restrooms or portapotties available (I'm not coordinated enough to squat with bike shorts and bike shoes!) -- but also I think I'd use it in porta-potties sometimes. Often I find they're set on uneven ground, and when they tilt backwards (and it seems like all of the ones on my most common routes do!), standing in bike shoes, squatting so you don't touch the seat, and all the while keeping your chamois from touching anything, in a 3x3' space, requires some interesting contortions. Would be so much easier to stand like a guy...

But the weirdness factor of carrying it around has stopped me so far :) ...

[sandra]

I'm not familiar with that one, but I have a friend that is going to China at the end of next month and she just bought a whizzy. I haven't asked her if she has practiced with it yet. I'll let you know.

http://whizzy4you.com/

[7rider]

I go about 8 times before I leave the house, then I'm good for about 40 miles.
I'd found up in MA that fire or police stations were handy spots to stop. Or gas stations/grocery stores (empty out and fill up all in one convenient location!! :cool: )

[indigoiis]

I seem to be able to hold it for a long time.

But we went to a newly opened coffee shop on a long ride recently and the guy asked what bicyclists want in the way of a general store / coffee house. I thought of all kinds of recommendations. It occurred to me later that I should have said, "a pit stop and an offer to fill our bottles with tap water." Sure, it's not a pound of coffee or a sale for his register, but a shop that did that would be on my "great places" list that I would definitely visit when off-bike, and certainly recommend to friends.

So next time you're in a convenience store, and the clerk fills your bottle and you use their potty, make sure you give them a big thanks, and then when you get home, either write a thank-you note to the manager or make a point of going back when off-bike and thanking them personally (and make sure you buy something.) ;)

[lph]

"A Physician's Assistant friend of mine said the two products of metabolizing carbohydrates are carbon dioxide and water. So if I have to pee lots, it means my water intake is enough or almost enough to keep up with the rate at which I lose water through sweat. "

'd heard somewhat the same thing, that metabolizing carbohydrates demands a lot of water, so a hiking friend and I were discussing if trying to eat more protein and fat and less carbohydrate on a hike you might get away with drinking less. Especially winter ski trips, strangely enough considering there's "water" everywhere, it's hard to drink enough. It's cold, you want to keep moving, and you most certainly don't want to stop and pee more than necessary.

Anybody have any input on this - is it possible to cut down on carbohydrate and still get "fueled" or do you just have to burn carbs to get energy fast?

Back on topic - I pee anywhere, and FAST. Bike shorts are good for this ;) Everybody pees, so unless I'm mooning the entire highway I don't get too embarrassed about it. If there's a bit of undergrowth nobody can see anything anyway, just that you're squatting. Guys don't seem to be embarrassed about standing in that obvious "I'm peeing-position" so I try not to be either.

[Jiffer]

Probably TMI time... But has anyone ever used one of these?

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39277920&memberId=12500226

That's hilarious! I'm gettin' one and strapping it to the back of my bike! :D It's even PINK!

[csr1210]

Ummm - we have rattlesnakes:eek: I don't worry about them too much on the road because I can SEE them ahead of time, but I'm positive that the first time I go tramping through the weeds to find a pee spot, I'll disturb one --can you imagine having to go to the ER with that injury???

And please don't tell me how they are more scared of me etc. etc. etc. I'm not worried about a snake going, "hey look at that peeing person, I think I'll chase her down!" I'm really much more worried about stepping on (or too close to one) on my little trek.

But then again, you really don't hear stories about people getting snakebit while peeing, but then AGAIN, maybe they just ain't TELLING.

Sorry, I'm sick today and should not be allowed to post. I would LOVE to be able pee like a guy (or at least squat without making a huge mess!).
Christy

[Starfish]

Sorry, I'm sick today and should not be allowed to post.

LOL...post away!


I would LOVE to be able pee like a guy (or at least squat without making a huge mess!).

There is a whole huge thread somewhere, and a website somewhere, devoted to teaching women how to pee standing up. I practiced for awhile, but with mixed results. Never got good enough to trust that I could do it without hosing down my shorts and shoes out on a bike ride.

Some women have had better luck at learning than I have though. You might investigate!

[batsheva]

potty breaks?

i thought that was what the bike shorts chamois was for....
:eek:

[Starfish]

potty breaks?

i thought that was what the bike shorts chamois was for....
:eek:


ROTFLMAO !!!!

But, still can't tell if you're kidding or not? :eek:

[Crankin]

I seem to have to go less on the bike than in regular life. I do have to go about 20 times BEFORE a ride. Basically, our stops are at gas stations, port a potties, or other stores where you can use the bathroom without buying something. However, there have been times when I go behind a bush or here in New England, a stone wall. I am fast at it, too. But one time my friend, who always has to go, went to pee behind a public library where we were waiting out a rainstorm (another story). It was a Sunday, so the library was closed. Just as she got her shorts down, a car pulled into the lot to return a book and got a good view of her!
There are often port a potties at playgrounds during the prime riding season and at schools. We use these a lot and it doesn't bother me a bit.

[boy in a kilt]

"A Physician's Assistant friend of mine said the two products of metabolizing carbohydrates are carbon dioxide and water. So if I have to pee lots, it means my water intake is enough or almost enough to keep up with the rate at which I lose water through sweat. "

'd heard somewhat the same thing, that metabolizing carbohydrates demands a lot of water, so a hiking friend and I were discussing if trying to eat more protein and fat and less carbohydrate on a hike you might get away with drinking less. Especially winter ski trips, strangely enough considering there's "water" everywhere, it's hard to drink enough. It's cold, you want to keep moving, and you most certainly don't want to stop and pee more than necessary.

Anybody have any input on this - is it possible to cut down on carbohydrate and still get "fueled" or do you just have to burn carbs to get energy fast?

Back on topic - I pee anywhere, and FAST. Bike shorts are good for this ;) Everybody pees, so unless I'm mooning the entire highway I don't get too embarrassed about it. If there's a bit of undergrowth nobody can see anything anyway, just that you're squatting. Guys don't seem to be embarrassed about standing in that obvious "I'm peeing-position" so I try not to be either.

The one thing I'm not sure about though is why the process needs so much water. One of the things they always teach in survival classes is that carbohydrates in general and sugary things specifically make you thirsty so you should avoid them if you don't have a steady water supply.

[teigyr]

LOL...post away!



There is a whole huge thread somewhere, and a website somewhere, devoted to teaching women how to pee standing up. I practiced for awhile, but with mixed results. Never got good enough to trust that I could do it without hosing down my shorts and shoes out on a bike ride.

Some women have had better luck at learning than I have though. You might investigate!

Um....when I was young and foolish I did, in fact, use a urinal at a Respected Institute of Higher Learning. Alcohol played a factor along with the fact we did, in fact, write our name over said urinal to say we had gone there.

As I recall, it was difficult :o

[weathergal]

Wow, we hardly ever see porta potties around here. So it's either stopping at a rare convenience store, or squatting somewhere.

Once the stalks get tall enough, corn fields make excellent squatting cover. Just walk back several rows, go down one, and squat down below the tops of the plants. This doesn't work as well in wheat and soybean fields though.