Woods + sweat = bugs!

[VeloVT]

Hi Ladies,
I participated in a women's beginning MTB clinic last week. It was lots of fun and I want to try MTBing more... but I got eaten alive by mosquitos! We were in deep woods in the evening, and the mosquitos were enormous, plentiful and aggressive.

If I do this more I'm going to need some kind of insect repellent... What do you use (or do you use it while MTBing)?

I would really like to find something that does not have lots of scary, potentially toxic chemicals (and I'd rather not have an aerosol spray either).

This looked interesting:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...BUY-PLST-0-CAT

and so did this:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...BUY-PLST-0-CAT

and this:
http://www.gaiam.com/product/eco-hom...pellent+set.do

Would be interested in hearing feedback on these or anything else you've used.

Also, Lyme Disease is becoming more common in Vermont, so all the more reason to use repellent in the woods...

Thanks for your help!

[SalsaMTB]

Honestly, most of the time I don't use it, but the few times I break down, I regret that decision. What I find with mountain biking, is that as long I'm riding, I don't have an issue with the bugs. It's when I get a flat/mechanical or have to push a hill that it gets bad.

So, as long as you keep moving, they won't bother you. If you're still new to the sport and have to push climbs or take breaks, be sure to use the stuff.

I haven't tried the ones you posted about, but I have tried the Burts Bees repellent. I was satisfied with the results. It may not be a great as OFF, but it got the job done and wasn't as horrible smelling and full of chemicals as the other stuff.

I've heard of people using other Kiss My Face products and been very satisfied. Haven't heard anything about the repellent though.

[spokewench]

I'm lucky, I live in Arizona - too dry for too many mosquitos - so sorry, we have few bugs so I am absolutely no help to you.

Yes, I am gloating - I used to live in bug country!

[lovelylibrarian]

I totally understand. We don't have many mosquitoes here but there a few and just the little gnats that buzz around my face make me crazy. It's usually worse when you stop, but a girl needs to take a break every once in awhile. I'd be interested to hear what suggestions other people have. I sweat so much that I think that anything I apply on my skin would come right off. Maybe try spraying something on your helmet??

[MtnBikerChk]

We ride all over new england and anything with DEET in it is a must. I have friends who have gotten lyme and it's ugly. DEET is your best defense, really. I know a lot of people are against the chemicals but I'll take my chances with that over lyme.

The first link you have says no deet but there must be something in it because of all the warnings. I can't really tell on the other 2.

Also, to not attract bugs, don't use fabric softener in your clothing. I always run my bike clothes through a second rinse cycle. And don't wear strong smelling shampoo or deoderant.

Good luck!

[bike4ever]

I second MtnBikerChk to get something with Deet. We have had a terribly wet spring in the MidWest. The "skeeters" are already terrible. I've been eaten just watching one of the boys baseball games. We also get chiggers bad so the Deet helps with that.

[sundial]

So, as long as you keep moving, they won't bother you.

One of the reasons I finally hung up my mtb was the deer flies. No matter how fast I was going, they zoomed inside my helmet and boinged against my hair. I thought the knats were going to be bad, but it was the deer flies that finally took it's toll on me--well, that and the suspicious foliage.

[lph]

I can't believe nobody's mentioned eating matchheads yet...

[beccaB]

I'm very concerned on how not to eat bugs. Especially in Michigan because there is a lot of road kill that never gets cleaned up. I have driven across country east to west 3 times and haven't seen as much road kill. So how can I avoid eating bugs and still breathe? I don't breathe through my nose much when I'm riding .