Snot Rockets

[wabisabi]

Ahem....I'm actually embarassed to admit that I feel some pride at having mastered snot rockets. Of course, I do check VERY carefully so as to avoid what you describe happening.

[snapdragen]

Shoot, I can hardly blow my nose, let alone fire off snot rockets.

snap "no rocketeer here" dragen

[Nanci]

I tried a couple times, in desperation, to learn how to do it. I can only hit my sleeve, though. So I am resigned to being a Sniffer.

I spent about five hours Saturday night being sprayed by snot rockets. It's pretty gross, but if you want to draft...

(I guess some people aren't on the clue bus about moving over first.)

Nanci

[Eden]

Did you ask the guys if you could join in? I only ask because from reading other cycling message boards I've seen that guys can be rather touchy and sometimes use snot rockets (and other nasty things) to discourage uninvited draftees...

[Nanci]

That's disgusting! No, we were a team. The offender has some sort of medical condition, multiple myeloma, and had had a stem cell transplant. I wonder if it had anything to do with that. He had a lot of breathing difficulty- coughing, throat clearing, etc. the whole nine hours I spent with him.

Nanci

[Geonz]

Sounds like a fun ride, ahem...

We announce when we're firing and pull off, and even to the back - but we generally are doing "dilly dally drafting" - we're also chatting and we'll just slow down until the snocketeer is done and back with us.

[Adventure Girl]

I posted these suggestions a while ago, but I think posting them again may have some value. Kind of like a public service message.

1. Speed is your friend. They work best when you are riding fast. The rocket will fly away better. (Actually, the rocket goes the same speed; you just have a better chance of getting away from it when you are riding 20 miles per hour rather than 5).

2. Practice when you are alone. I think a big part of the problem is psychological. We just are programmed not to do this in public.

3. When group riding, launch them when you are at the end of the pack or at least on the edge. It is uncomfortable for at least two people (you and the other rider) if it lands on one of your riding partners...

4. Beginner's practice... Try it in the shower. Yes, this is gross, but you really need to know "how" to do it before your public debut!

5. They really do help! Sniffling and wiping your nose just doesn't cut it. Once you let one fly, you can breathe again!

[mmelindas]

Arrrgh...GROSS! My DH is one of those old fashioned men I hate who uses a CLOTH handkerchief...and it grosses me totally out!!

I avoid visual contact with said nasty "snot haven".....(reminds me of the story of a Native American (NA) sitting on the steps of the Indian Bureau in Toppenish, Wa, observing day after day the agent eating part of his lunch and wrapping up the rest,...... and one day the agent blew into his handkerchief, then folded it and put it in his pocket...the totally appalled NA then said: "YOU WHITE PEOPLE SAVE EVERYTHING!")

I have burned, appeared to lose and misplace every handkerchief he gives me to wash..it doesn't work...but I have found a suitable revenge...

I twist pieces of Kleenex up into a pointed form and shove it up my nose and twist, then remove and inspect..(this is BEST done at dinner table...) and it has won the title from my DS of "Mom's nose rockets"!

....now I never see those dang hankies again..but I know he's hiding them somewhere...

I think if someone blew a booger on me while riding, I'd promptly morph into a motorcycle riding toughie in my leathers, speed up and whoop his/her b-tt!

Well, maybe not really, I do understand those runny noses-- I have one myself...watch out for MY nose rockets!

[ChainsOflove]

I used to be married to a Canadian guy and they called them "Greeners"

[li10up]

You all don't know how happy I am to have stumbled onto this thread!! I thought I was the only woman who did this. Riding is one sure-fire way to get my sinuses open again. And after spending so much time sniffling I finally let one fly. Wow, what a relief! Now when I'm riding solo I make sure there's nobody around and just let 'er fly. But I still feel funny doing it in a group. I always make sure to go to the back and get out of earshot...don't even want them to hear me doing it. I guess it has to do with my mother always telling me to "act like a lady" or be "lady-like:. Well, in my opinion if a lady does it then it's lady-like! Am I right?

That's disgusting! No, we were a team. The offender has some sort of medical condition, multiple myeloma, and had had a stem cell transplant. I wonder if it had anything to do with that. He had a lot of breathing difficulty- coughing, throat clearing, etc. the whole nine hours I spent with him. Nanci

Nanci, my hubby has MM and I can assure you it has nothing to do with that. Although, the MM could make him more susceptible to colds/infections, etc.

[DirtDiva]

Well, in my opinion if a lady does it then it's lady-like! Am I right?

You'd better be - there's no hope for me otherwise. (My mum gave up telling me to be ladylike at a very young age; it only encouraged whatever behaviour she was trying to stop.)

[Grog]

Now when I'm riding solo I make sure there's nobody around and just let 'er fly. But I still feel funny doing it in a group.

I ride with a group of women only and most of us tend to do it. However I feel funny doing it when I ride with men, and if I ride with the BF I make sure I am behind him when I do it.