Delicate question

**kjay** · 10-02-2005, 09:31 PM

First time to post in eons and what do I do but ask a delicate and somewhat embarrassing question. Okay, here goes.

When you must make an emergency pit stop to go poo-poo (bad, I know), what are some helpful tips?

I will be bicycling the Big Island (first time ever for long-distance riding), and this subject worries me. To date, the max I've ridden is three hours, but my route provides ample bathrooms along the way, so it's not been a problem.

Thanks in advance.

**Veronica** · 10-03-2005, 04:06 AM

For peace of mind - carry wet wipes and baggies to put them in.

The Big Island is pretty civilized. We rode it a few years ago on our tandem. There are state parks, stores and gas stations all over the place.

Have fun.

Veronica

**Helen** · 10-03-2005, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by kjay

First time to post in eons and what do I do but ask a delicate and somewhat embarrassing question. Okay, here goes.

When you must make an emergency pit stop to go poo-poo (bad, I know), what are some helpful tips?

I will be bicycling the Big Island (first time ever for long-distance riding), and this subject worries me. To date, the max I've ridden is three hours, but my route provides ample bathrooms along the way, so it's not been a problem.

Thanks in advance.

Even if you are 100% sure that you will find a civilized place to poop-poo, my advice to you is to take some toilet paper with you anyway.

**Irulan** · 10-03-2005, 07:15 AM

Leave No Trace guidelines teach the following:

The basic technique is this: dig a cat hole at least 6" deep, you can use the heel of your shoe to dig. Bury your poo. Pack out TP. just put it in a baggie wipe your hands with a baby wipe or hand sanitizer, and dispose of the baggie when you get back to civilization. TP does not degrade well at all, and it's not unsual for animals to dig stuff up anyway. Leaving a pile behind a tree with a TP "rose" on top of it is unacceptable plus it's unsanitary, it's litter, and it's just plain nasty.
Same goes for pee, pack out your TP don't just leave it. It doesn't go away.

irulan

**snapdragen** · 10-03-2005, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by Irulan

Leaving a pile behind a tree with a TP "rose" on top

OK - I'm behaving like a 5 year old - but this just had me ROTFLMAF! Never hear the wad 'o TP called a "rose". I love it.

Serious note though - Irulan is right, leave no trace. There is a book - called How to S**t in the Woods..

snap "who had yet to master how not to pee on your shoes"dragen

**Irulan** · 10-03-2005, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by snapdragen

OK - I'm behaving like a 5 year old - but this just had me ROTFLMAF! Never hear the wad 'o TP called a "rose". I love it.

Serious note though - Irulan is right, leave no trace. There is a book - called How to S**t in the Woods..

snap "who had yet to master how not to pee on your shoes"dragen

How to not pee on your shoes ( or your shorts) could be a whole 'nother thread.

Glad to make you laugh, it's a very serious subject for me. I spend a lot of time in the woods, and just get grossed out by what people leave behind.

~I.

**Trek420** · 10-03-2005, 07:44 AM

ewww. Since you'll be near civilization I'd add never pass up an opportunity to use the facilities and this is less likely to occur. For one thing you can't hydrate when it's got nowhere to go, no room

random thought to our TE ALC gals, enjoy the rest stops particularly the one on the 1st Evil Twin and the one *before* the lunch stop on Day 6. Loooooong empty stretch of road follows, few signs of civilization. Especially the day 6 one was funny, I felt like "now I'm really in So Cal", miles and miles of single family tract homes and not a gas station, restaruant, park w a rest room...

**bikerchick68** · 10-03-2005, 08:17 AM

My body works like clockwork so what works for me is to always eat about an hour before the ride... that, ahem, seems to "force" the issue, allowing me to take care of it before I ever depart for the ride. Not a guarantee but pretty darned close!

also if it's a supported ride, don't pass up a sag stop... I did this on ONE century... and ended up peeing behind a plant that wasn't big enough to be called a shrub... lots of knowing looks and snickers from the other passing riders, but by then, frankly, I just didn't care!!! LOL

Have a great ride!

snapdragen... how not to pee on your shoes is definitely an important technique for all cyclists...

**Nanci** · 10-03-2005, 09:12 AM

Unlike mountain biking, or even road biking on paved trails, if you're riding around on roads, there aren't a lot of places to stop. I ride out in rural areas, so there aren't convinience stores on every corner, _but_ everything else is a field or house- no convinient woods or clumps of bushes.

Nanci

**JLD** · 10-03-2005, 09:33 AM

As an adjunct to the defecation issue--there is this site--about elimination of urine. What the author of the site proposes-actually works!

http://myvag.net/pee/standing/

**Nanci** · 10-03-2005, 10:08 AM

But it's not that practical while bike riding for a number of reasons:

You have to get your shorts down pretty far to get everything positioned right.

You have to have a pretty full bladder in order to be able to start without dribbling.

You have to be able to cut off the stream completely the second you are done in order to not drip.

It _is_ a cool way to impress your friends, though :-) And the best place to learn this skill is in the tub or shower.

Nanci

**JLD** · 10-03-2005, 10:26 AM

Yes-I agree with many of your points--particularly about the bike shorts part--quite awkward. However-it's a neat trick to have if you get stuck at a rest stop-where you just Wouldn't want to sit down anyway-or couldn't handle a half squat. But yes-takes a bit to master the technique.

**kjay** · 10-03-2005, 07:14 PM

Thanks to each and every one of you for your very helpful suggestions. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help.

This board is fantastic, and I'm here every day. Wouldn't miss it for anything.

**Trek420** · 10-03-2005, 07:24 PM

Nanci "It _is_ a cool way to impress your friends, though :-)"

I'll have to practice this just to confuse and confound and guests and family

"uh, your toilet seat's up? Is there something you want to tell us?"
"yeah, watch this!"
"whew, we were worried for a minute"
;-)

**roughingit** · 10-04-2005, 09:04 AM

Trek- That comment practically had me rolling!

Hmmm....actuallyGirl Scout camp would be one of the few place I can think of where showing that off would still be socially acceptable...they had some two-seaters!

The only hint I can give for not dribbling on your feet the normal way (although I think I've been inspired to try practicing standing in the shower again), is too make sure you have a fulkl tank by keeping well-hydrated.

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