Snot

[alpinerabbit]

I carry a soft cotton (well washed to get to the soft point!) bandanna in my jersey (or jacket) pocket. Just can't get into the snot rocket thing. Bandannas are great because they don't shred like kleenex. Also great for hiking. I have a variety of colors. Bandannas rule!

In the old world, these items are still known, and sit crisply ironed, in gentlemen's pockets or breast pockets, as hand-kerchiefs.

Yes, they still exist. Monogrammed even. An atavism from the pre-paper towel era.

in fact the classic bandanna is a traditional pattern used by peasants in the 19th century....

[TriMom217]

another vote for the snot rocket and also making sure there is no one too close behind you.

On last Sunday's ride I let one loose to the left just as I was overtaken by another ride. He was the first other rider we had seen all day and I had no idea that he was there! It's the first time I wish I had heard "on your left!"

[ATL Laura]

Earlier this year I had a string of ear and sinus infections and my doctor prescribed snot rockets (she is a cyclist too). Apparently all the sniffling caused that stuff to build up in my head and cause problems. So now its always snot rockets for me...doctors orders

[Brandi]

Wow this thread is cracking me up! Just coming in on this and reading all these comments about snot is sooooo funny!
I was born with a box of kleenex in both hands! Now I just use my glove! Sometimes snot rockets (feel like I am in Jr high saying that). I have a kleenex under the left band of my shorts and a bandana in my camel back (which I wear on every ride) so I am fully covered. When I haven't been. yes I have used my jersey! Or my dh's. We have been together for 20 years! jk by the way....

[Susan126]

I can't snot rocket to save my soul. DH is a champion at the art of snot rocketing. In the winter I also make sure I am at least 4 bike lengths behind him! For me it's my glove or one of the many hankys that I own. Soft and cottony. I do love the idea of a bandanna wrapped around your wrist. I'll have to try that on my next cold weather ride!

[lph]

I can do snot rockets fine if I have enough build-up, but during everyday winter sniffling they're more like weak snot spraydribbles... I have to check my bike jacket before I go into stores to make sure it doesn't look too gross. The right sleeve especially tends to pick up all sorts of unusual spots. The gloves are free game, though - that's what all that soft fleecy stuff is for!

[CR400]

Wow I was just thinking about this on my ride today. It was kind of warm 39. I live where it gets into the single digits in late January and early Ferbruary. Anyway, I tend to use my cycling gloves or just plain winter gloves. If I don't have gloves or my coat sleeve in the winter, I suck it back through my nose and then spit. I have been known to let it drip until I get grossed out if I am alone, especially at night. I tried snot rockets once and wore it, better off spitting.

[nic840]

Growing up playing sports/running its just something you learn to deal with... we call it the "farmer blow" or snot rocket.

Wednesday I rode to pick up my daughter from pre-school. My two girls were happy clams back there in the trailer, it was a cool beautiful day.
I was crusing along and had to rid my nose of its contents...not remembering that they were back in the trailer...Ooops!
I started apologizing profusely to my kids and they had no idea what I was talking about. I felt horrible...but then I justified it by remembering that I clean up their snot on a daily basis. It was pretty funny explaining the snot rocket to a 4-year old. She seemed amuzed and grossed out at the same time! Hee Hee!

I am usually good about looking behind me too... the trailer was just low.

[shootingstar]

For alot of accumulation (and if the glove is uh, full), I just stop and spit or blow my nose. Hence, I always make sure I have some kleenex in each of my multiple cycling jackets before I head out.

I guess I can't get into perfecting snot rockets...you see my immigrant mother has this incredible peasant style of spitting loudly from throat...always done in bathroom. Thank God.

So my childhood memories of snot, throat clearing, spitting styles, get uh, clouded. So I want to do it more discreetly.... Next generation does try to do things differently...

If you don't understand what I'm talking about,...go to a big Chinatown or go visit China, particularily rural China and witness serious phlegm clearing style....

[KathiCville]

I don't think I work up quite enough snot to launch a rocket---more of a steady, annoying drip! My favorite gloves lack a snot-friendly section, so I'm thinking of getting one of these "wristies" (below) to handle the task. Washable AND they add a bit of warmth to a winter ride, without interfering with shifting.........

https://www.wristies.com/shop/

Could be just the ticket for the fastidious or rocket-challenged........

[KayTee]

I have to use all options to offload nose contents on bike. This is a year-round problem for me. Most of my friends know not to ride too close behind me, but it's tough when you're in a paceline. So often I tie a soft bandanna loosely around my neck and grab up and use the pointy part of the triangle whenever I have to do a quick, no-consequences-behind-me blow. Or sometimes I use a Snock - cut an end off an old cotton tube sock, pull it over your arm, and have at it! Just remember to pull it inside-out on your arm (or off) if you have to make a store stop, as you will be asked about it!

[li10up]

You can also get the sports wristbands. Put one around your wrist and toss in the laundry basket after the ride.

[Melalvai]

It's been a few days since I checked back on this thread, as I hoped some amusing, entertaining, and education followup! Thanks! I like the wristies & snocks. Particularly snocks because that is no cost. The snot rockets...will wait until another day. When no one is watching. Or behind me!

[SnappyPix]

Another snot rocket launcher here, but I often have problems with lift-offs. I've never been the most co-ordinated of people, and often I end up snorting out a wonderful Muffin The Mule impression, with only an unattractive dribble to show for my efforts.

[RoadRaven]

Thank you Snappy!!!!

Muffin the Mule... I knew what I was doing had an offical title!

My snot rockets are usually successful (though rather pathetic if they were compared to some I have seen in terms of projectile siaze and trajectory )

...but... sometimes the snorking park of launching goes wrong and I do the honk-snort thing... so now I will be able to rest easy when my snorkability is compromised because I will know the sound has a meaningful and appropriate name!

(There must be doctral research in these snot rocket threads... surely???)