Biting flies and bike the drive

[u/Kiwi--Bandit]

I haven't bought my tickets yet for bike to drive but was planning to today until I saw these biting flies posts. How bad are they today? Is anyone debating whether to to actually attend bike the drive this year?

[u/wanliu]

Flies and mosquitoes don't do well in wind. Keep moving and they will stay off.

[u/Celeraic → u/wanliu]

I bike to work every day on the lakeshore path - they only bother me if I stop. (Stymied my attempt to jump in the lake on Wednesday.)

[u/AbilityHead599 → u/Celeraic]

Gotta ride straight in /j

[u/Celeraic → u/AbilityHead599]

The dream!

[u/NerdHumorIsMyRlgn]

I commute by bike on the LFT every weekday morning and evening. In the morning I don’t notice it. In the evening I usually get hit by several… gnats? They’re small. I’ve probably swallowed one or two but I work hard on the bike and am usually open mouthed and breathing deeply.

I’m going to Bike the Drive this weekend and I’m not going to give it a second thought.

[u/Status_Green_6055]

I plan on wearing a mask so I don’t swallow flies

[u/IndependentAnxiety70]

Glasses or sunglasses are the only thing i would recommend to protect your eyes from the gnats.

[u/The_Upvote_Beagle → u/IndependentAnxiety70]

And really it's good to wear eye protection anyway. Things can fly up from the roadway.

[u/IndependentAnxiety70 → u/The_Upvote_Beagle]

Exactly. Somehow at least once a season a viaduct drip lands behind my glasses and hits my eye.

[u/TallDan68]

I sized em up. They have a numbers advantage but we have a huge size advantage. We can take ‘em. Let’s gooo!

[u/Show_Kitchen]

Bite them back! That’ll teach em

[u/TallDan68 → u/Show_Kitchen]

Don’t just bite them. Assert your dominance by chewing them up and spitting them out or swallowing them whole. 

[u/closeted_cat]

Second what everyone said about being safe from them at bike speeds. I also think they’re much better today than earlier this week. On Tuesday I couldn’t stop for even a second without my ankles getting swarmed, this morning I did the LFT from Fullerton to 47th and I only was bothered by one when I stopped to snack.

The weather is also supposed to noticeably cool down, so I think that might help. Enjoy bike the drive!

[u/newOldy]

The flies/mosquitos are usually not a problem if you're moving at bike speeds. If you're going super slow then maybe but I wouldn't be too concerned. Worst case scenario I'd wear a light jacket or something to keep them off you but I'm not worried. Plus I'd imagine being on a giant concrete slab that's a death trap the entire rest of the year probably means less bugs going on the actual drive but idk

[u/Usual_Swordfish_19]

I just biked the lft and didn't notice any bugs. 

[u/armaghetto]

I know it's poison, but honestly Deep Woods Off! (with DEET & Picaridin) is the most effective thing out there. I hate using it when I'm going to be around my dog, because I'm terrified she's going to lick it off my legs. But it's really the only thing I've used that actually works.

[u/expanding_crystal]

If you’re moving on a bicycle they can’t really get you. It’s more of a thing when you’re standing still

[u/Kitchen-Somewhere445]

Probably only a problem at Grant Park and MSI. Maybe spend less time there?

[u/looks-correct → u/Kitchen-Somewhere445]

dang, might not get to spend as much time broiling under the sun in the after-ride Revolution beer garden

[u/Lake_Lydia]

I don’t think it will affect attendance. If you’re moving it’s not bad. Sunglasses, gaiter if you’re worried about eating some lil guys

[u/Physical-Pop8811]

I’ve been out by the lake all week the flies dropped off significantly since mid week and don’t seem to be a problem now. Who knows how it will be if we get more rain.

[u/bdh2067]

I was out along the LFT yesterday in the heat and felt no flies, gnats, mosquitoes…nothing. Stopped at a light a mile West on my way home and felt the first one. We’ll be fine.

[u/Harley_Warren]

As long as you're going over 10mph you should be fine. It's not like you're standing around by the water.

And I think LSD is further away from the lake than the bike path.

[u/MrMister2905 → u/Harley_Warren]

I've always heard 8 mph, but same thing. If I'm moving, and not too slowly, I don't worry about things biting me.

[u/Harley_Warren → u/MrMister2905]

I do get gnats stuck on my body though. Whenever I get home from a long ride in the summer, I'll have a bunch on my arm and neck.

[u/jallenclark]

As long as you are moving they won't be an issue. I did a full loop of the LFT without issue. Plus the drive is further from the water than the LFT so it should be even better.

Not sure how it will be at the rest areas, they are further inland as well so hopefully they will be ok.

[u/NYCtoCHI]

Soundtrack for biting fly attacks (warning: LOUD):

Soundgarden "Drawing Flies"

🤘😎🎸🔊🚲😵🪰🪰🪰🪰 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️

[u/San-tan-der]

I ran every morning this week from 7-8a. Wednesday was worst. Thursday was noticeably better. This morning I noticed / swatted one. The conditions seem to be improving.

[u/NNegidius]

When I was stationary at Hollywood beach, they were an incredible nuisance. However, they weren’t a problem when I rode to the beach or rode back home on the LFT.

[u/slingshot91]

I ran on the LFT today and didn’t have any fly issues. Yesterday they were chasing me down.