Ever pee standing up?

[lizbids]

I have been hearing a lot of women who use devices such as the "Freshette," and I read some of a thread that was put up about a year ago regarding this topic. I sure would have liked one of them today...I wanted to continue riding but can't lock my bike up in the park (convinced by the time I get out of the restroom it'll be gone). Plus, half the time the restroom is locked
So my question for women who use this device: How easy is it to carry around when you're on the road? How is it cleaned after you use it? How do you store it after cleaning/using?
The web site offers no help on this!

[KnottedYet]

I take my bike into the restrooms with me. She doesn't mind...

I'm pretty sure that urinating standing up in a park is still considered "public urination" whether you're a man or a woman using a funnel, and is a no-no. All in all, you might be better off taking the bike into a restroom with you. (use the wheelchair stall)

You clean the funnels by washing them out at the sink. Store them in a ziplock bag. (a "dirty" bag for when you have to pack it up and carry it around without washing it first, a "clean" bag for after you've washed it. Don't put the washed funnel back into the "dirty" bag!) They are a lot of trouble. But at least with the funnel you're not exposing much.

Depending on the legs of your shorts, you might be able to do the "lycra-pee" without exposing yourself: pull the leg up as high as you can, then stretch it open (toward the inside). Just be sure to keep your fingers out of the way. But it does make life easier on loooooong road rides.

[lizbids]

Unfortunately sometimes I've actually had to publicly urinate (trust me, LAST RESORT). It's just sort of good to know that if all the restrooms are locked, I can hide in some trees and pray no one will stumble upon me. The surrounding areas are pretty well-hidden. Maybe that makes me irresponsible or piggish, but I'd rather take the chance of being "caught" than peeing in my pants.
I had a friend who actually had to pee at the end of an isolated subway platform b/c it was 3am and there were no restrooms available. He felt terrible doing it...and sure enough a cop spotted him and cuffed him. They ended up letting him go after a small fine, but he felt pretty humiliated. He still agreed it was better than urinating in his pants.

[KnottedYet]

We've got so much woodsy/wildish overgrowth around here that we're pretty lucky in the "public" activities department.

I don't think I'd last long in a big city...

[bike4ever]

I actually keep extra tissues with me for the times when I have to just stop.

[lizbids]

hi bikemom--
Have you ever used one of those Freshette devices, or do you just kinda hop behind some bushes and squat like most women? I'm not so great at that technique, which is why I'm considering the device!

[doc]

DebW sent me the "travelmate" which is another one of those funnel devices. I must be some kind of spazola because I cannot get the hang of it. Sure a large percentage of my urine goes out the funnel, but I always manage to leak around it too. That's all that matters. The small amount I leak around would run down the leg and into the shorts. Not a good plan. I intend to continue practicing in the shower for now.

[bike4ever]

I just squat behind the most concealing bush/tree.

[li10up]

I've used one on backpacking trips. When you have to go in the middle of the night and it's really cold outside you just use the freshette inside the tent. Just make sure the container you pee into doesn't leak. It's not really all that compact. I don't think I would take it on my bike unless I was on some sort of self-supported tour. Ditto the dirty bag/clean bag. You can use your water bottle to rinse it off. Hand wipes are good to have for afterwards.

[mimitabby]

Just don't squat on a stinging nettle!

[Susan126]

Good advice mimitabby!

I have peed hundreds of times outdoors in mother nature while mountain biking . . . no problem when you are in the woods but I have never done it while road riding. I pick my courses very well . . . making sure I find a sanican or public restroom or McDonalds along my routes. So far I have been lucky and have not had to face the dilema of finding myself in need of a potty while out road riding. And I have never cycled on the road alone so I always have someone with me so we take turns guarding the bikes while one of us uses the restroom.

[Tuckervill]

During cooler weather you can tie a jacket around your waist and face towards a building, tree or a car. When you squat, make sure the jacket is not folded up underneath you, but carefully spread out to provide a visual screen.

Another thing I do when camping is ask my girlfriends to make a human shield while standing with their backs to me. Sometimes my husband has done this for me. If there is a sheet or towel available that can be wrapped around you caftan style and you squat down inside it.

Peeing outside is one of the greatest joys of life. For men. lol.

Karen

[mimitabby]

Riding out in the sticks (in Washington state) I have had many opportunities
to watch ants running around furiously as I squatted in their territory.
Fortunately even in eastern washington, there is plenty of shrubbery to find
and dips and hillocks to help you hide when you need to.

And although I always carry TP now, there have been times I had to choose a leaf, hm,, Salal, vine maple, dandelion, which would be best?

[bike4ever]

One of my routes goes through some new housing (used to be country). All of these new developments have nice entrance signs with fancy bushes and stuff. These are nice to bring my bike behind and take care of business without anyone knowing.

[ridethewind]

I have bad knees and haven't been able to squat down for years. Fortunately, it hasn't presented a problem (yet) while I'm riding. Not sure what I'd do if I had to go and no restroom was near. I probably should look into getting one of these devices.

Jean