In Southeast Texas and other areas we have what they call love bugs. Twice a year, spring and fall (coincides with great riding weather). they come out for a couple of week and really put the damper on riding. We don't have snow, not much ice, even the heaviest of thunder storms pass, but love bugs just steal the joy of riding.
Do you have them or something like that where you ride?
Not me or my bike, but a mild example of the horror. I've come in with the entire front of the bike, my legs, and boots looking like they have fur. Forget the glasses or goggles.
Regular lemon pledge coating before riding helps so the bugs do not stick.
A large water soaked towel placed over the area for a half hour or so re-hydrates the bugs so they will just slide off with a hose.
That individual was probably riding at night in a non city area for some time.
Sounds like what Florida has. I did a night ride in Florida on a naked bike, and when I got off the bike, there was an audible plop as the bug mess piled up from crotch to chest slid off on the ground. I was still dripping slime when I went into a cafe for some coffee. This was on the old Tamiami Trail across the Everglades, possibly the buggiest place in the country even without love bugs.
Actually here the Love Bugs are not as bad at night, but at night, on the nice roads, we have deer, hogs, and other animals, add in my vision not being what it once was. Another week and they should be thinning out. Ready to ride.
Being retired, I usually ride in the mornings heading south to the Brazos Bend area and so far they haven't been too bad...just wipe the bug splat off with a wet micro fiber towel as well as the helmet.
Being retired, I usually ride in the mornings heading south to the Brazos Bend area and so far they haven't been too bad...just wipe the bug splat off with a wet micro fiber towel as well as the helmet.
I live in a rural area with pastures, wooded areas, and even a few rice fields and crawfish farms. !00% nice riding (for flat land) and 100% perfect for Love Bug swarms. 3 hours yesterday cleaning the front of my wife's car and my truck. Glad Mo City is not as bad.
Sounds like what Florida has. I did a night ride in Florida on a naked bike, and when I got off the bike, there was an audible plop as the bug mess piled up from crotch to chest slid off on the ground. I was still dripping slime when I went into a cafe for some coffee. This was on the old Tamiami Trail across the Everglades, possibly the buggiest place in the country even without love bugs.
I did that once.
Road west to east (Naples to Krome/997) at night on Tamiami Trail.
Very dark and desolate with just swarms of bugs flying at me.
The stink, splatter and goo was nasty when i stopped at the one gas station on Krome and Tamiami Trail.
09-17-2016, 08:13 AM
Love Bugs - Taking the Joy twice a year
