Runny nose & cold toes! :-)

[bonnypriest]

Sorry if either of these questions sound silly.

When the weather is cooler & especially cold, my nose runs like crazy. Is there anything that helps with that. It's hard to get in enough oxygen when I'm constantly sniffling. It drives me nuts. It might be a bit of allergies too, but I'm not sure. A friend suggested a nose spray, but I'm not sure that will help. Any suggestions would be awesome.

Also...I wear a size 41 bike shoe (8 1/2 - 9). I'd like to purchase some some toe covers, but I'm not sure of what size to buy. The ones I'm looking at are PI thermal. Will it matter if the shoes are road or mtb? Will the toe covers fit on/over either one the same?

Thanks in advace for any advice!!!

[Irulan]

it's called weather induced rhinitis, and you can take an antihistamine. Or learn how to blow snot rockets.

[emily_in_nc]

The minute the temperature gets below about 70-75, my nose starts a-running...so I carry a soft cotton bandanna (a handkerchief would do fine too) in my jersey pocket and blow away as needed!

Don't trust myself to do snot rockets , and prefer to avoid the side effects of antihistamines.

[Owlie]

Emily, I'm like you. Once it gets below 65-70, my nose turns into a faucet. I've just taken to carrying tissues with me.

[marni]

this is similar to exercise rhinitis that the ladies "of a certain age" at the gym, myself included seem to suffer from whenever we exercise. It is a source of endless and exasperated conversation. It doesn't matter what the temperature is. That's why biking gloves generally have fabric across the back and why I always wash my gloves after each ride.

[Selkie]

Snot rockets, just make sure no one is behind you before you launch one. ;-)

As for cold feet, invest in winter shoes/boots if you intend to ride through the coldest months. Shoe covers are fine but there's a point where they definitely are not enough. Wools socks (I like smartwool snowboarding socks) and chemical toe warmers are also part of my cold weather foot gear.

As for sizing, if you have MTB shoes, size up with the shoe covers.

[Catrin]

it's called weather induced rhinitis, and you can take an antihistamine. Or learn how to blow snot rockets.

I have noticed the same thing recently - with temps starting around 70 I would have thought that it would take colder temps than that but I guess not. This is the only time that I have noticed the slightest hint of asthma while riding - when this starts up I eventually start wheezing - probably because the air is cooler than I realize. Thankfully heat doesn't seem to bother my asthma on the bike (or hills), which is a blessing.

[dinabean]

The minute the temperature gets below about 70-75, my nose starts a-running...so I carry a soft cotton bandanna (a handkerchief would do fine too) in my jersey pocket and blow away as needed!

Don't trust myself to do snot rockets , and prefer to avoid the side effects of antihistamines.

I do the same. The very *thought* of a snot rocket makes me gag, I just can't do it. Bandana works great.

[soprano]

Handkerchiefs are awesome.

[jelee1311]

Snot rockets are awesome! I think its a newbie right of passage,at least it was for me

[Emily_A]

I agree with all who said snot rockets are it! For awhile I relied on the nose-wipe panel on my gloves, which is okay except that when it's cold, my nose gets chapped right quick.

Yeah, snot rockets are ick...but once your technique is mastered they're the best solution, especially if no one's around.

Just don't be like the dudes (they're always dudes) that I see standing around the parking lots, STILL blowing snot rockets even though they're standing still. Now THAT is gauche!

[bonnypriest]

You girls are totally cracking me up!!!!!!! Thanks for all the advice. *wink wink* I'll try practicing my newly learned techniques this weekend. My husband will be so proud! LOL!

[LilBolt]

I consider my proficiency with snot rockets just another one of my cycling skills. However, I did catch myself recently walking between buildings at work on a chilly morning ready to launch one! Then, I remembered where I was & realized that I wasn't wearing the right outfit (bike shoes, lycra & wool). Going for launch while in a suit & heels just doesn't present a very professional image!

[loopybunny]

I wipe my nose on my arm warmers. I don't like to wipe on my gloves because they don't hold up as well to washing as my arm warmers do.

As for snot rockets... I've never been successful, but I'm guessing in the middle of the peloton isn't the place to do it, as this BMC rider appears to be doing. I guess when you gotta blow, you gotta blow.

[bonnypriest]

Ewwwwwww...that might be just a little bit rude. I'll try to refrain when I'm riding in the Peleton. *wink wink* Good thing it's usually only 2-6 of us riding for fun. That sort of thing could start a fight.