I’ve always marveled at the graphic demonstration of the conservation of momentum in that my bicycle launched loogies and snot rockets tend to pretty much keep up with me until they hit the road- I have to be going very fast for wind resistance to drag them back very much. I wouldn’t have expected Yehuda to be riding that fast!
If Yehuda was riding into the wind, it could have made more difference. Also, it depends if we’re talking “snot rocket” (single cohesive blob) ir “mucus mist” (fine spray of droplets). The latter is more affected by wind.
@FredOak
yeah my wife always comments when i do that on a ride. she is not really grossed out but will always roll her eyes.
i too like yehuda usually hit my sleve or leg (if standing still at a light). it really takes practice and a bit of determination. you cant really wimp out. if you give a good blow it works the best.
ahh the joys of bike winter! (of which i thought I was through with until this freak chicago storm blew threw yesterday ..ugh)
I don’t think I’ve ever hit anyone with a snot rocket (I always look back first) but I find that the only time they land on my shoulder is at low speed. In the mid teens and above the stream of air seems to catch them. You can actually see the path of the airflow as they curve back in behind your back. It’s pretty fascinating. I was actually thinking about this in my way to work this morning. What a coincidence. This, of course was confirmed as I cooled down by slowly pedaling around the parking lot. I won’t say how.
I’ve never felt the need to do this on a ride, personally. I didn’t know it was so widespread – I’ll be more circumspect about riding behind other cyclists now…
@John the Monkey
On many of the organized rides I go on, in the early morning portion of the rides,this is a fairly common activity. AT least among the male of the species. I seldom if ever see female riders performing this. The Hanna Hardbodies may be the exception…
It’s a necessary evil, and one that requires some practice and commitment. I usually clear all clothing now, but I’ve had a few unfortunate incidents on days when I forget I’m using rear panniers.
I did this once while riding a 12% climb with a hangover. The tandem behind me had some foul words. I didn’t know it was there. I was even more curious to why a tandem would be drafting me.
Gross gross gross! Have never even thought about doing this. I’ve never seen my husband do it, either; now I wonder what goes on when he’s riding solo…
Disgusting! There is a gross streak in this strip, ranging from sewer running to today’s strip.
I’ve never (thank the merciful Lord) encountered this kind of behaviour in Toronto’s bike lanes. This sort of biological function is what handkerchiefs are for. I’m kind of like Bilbo Baggins – don’t leave home without one.
this is a behavior i had to UNlearn when i began teaching spin classes. i thought it might be a bit crude for me to blow it right on the carpetted spin riser in front of 30+ riders.
so i had my lovely aerobic assistants keep me stocked with TWO boxes of kleenex [one on each side of me].
How do you get the hankerchief out of the pocket while riding in winter wearing gloves? Here in the tri-cities I eventually gave up on the idea of using the hankerchief in winter though I don’t leave home without one and use it at other times when not on the bike.
This is a great reason to check first with a “Mind if I take your wheel?” before riding that close.
now she’s gotta stop to pick up her bottle… if it didn’t land in the cargo box.
she shoulda shot a tire pebble at him instead.
@ On your left:
Not so bad as what he shot at her – Snort is a Single Handed Loogie Expeller
I’ve always marveled at the graphic demonstration of the conservation of momentum in that my bicycle launched loogies and snot rockets tend to pretty much keep up with me until they hit the road- I have to be going very fast for wind resistance to drag them back very much. I wouldn’t have expected Yehuda to be riding that fast!
Unless Yehuda shot it backwards and frame 1 doesn’t show the point of actual departure. That’s how he missed his shoulder.
Thank you all for the treatise on the Physics of Phlegm. Quite a good laugh firs thing in the morning.
ci
If Yehuda was riding into the wind, it could have made more difference. Also, it depends if we’re talking “snot rocket” (single cohesive blob) ir “mucus mist” (fine spray of droplets). The latter is more affected by wind.
I can’t believe I just wrote that… <shakes head>
Yehuda, clearly shot it backwards. Look at the left edge of Frame 1. Ohmygosh…that thing’s huge..ewwwwwww!
Not how to impress a woman.
Uh, it sure seems to have left an “impression” on Thistle. Though not a good one.
@FredOak
yeah my wife always comments when i do that on a ride. she is not really grossed out but will always roll her eyes.
i too like yehuda usually hit my sleve or leg (if standing still at a light). it really takes practice and a bit of determination. you cant really wimp out. if you give a good blow it works the best.
ahh the joys of bike winter! (of which i thought I was through with until this freak chicago storm blew threw yesterday ..ugh)
I don’t think I’ve ever hit anyone with a snot rocket (I always look back first) but I find that the only time they land on my shoulder is at low speed. In the mid teens and above the stream of air seems to catch them. You can actually see the path of the airflow as they curve back in behind your back. It’s pretty fascinating. I was actually thinking about this in my way to work this morning. What a coincidence. This, of course was confirmed as I cooled down by slowly pedaling around the parking lot. I won’t say how.
I’ve never felt the need to do this on a ride, personally. I didn’t know it was so widespread – I’ll be more circumspect about riding behind other cyclists now…
@John the Monkey
On many of the organized rides I go on, in the early morning portion of the rides,this is a fairly common activity. AT least among the male of the species. I seldom if ever see female riders performing this. The Hanna Hardbodies may be the exception…
It’s a necessary evil, and one that requires some practice and commitment. I usually clear all clothing now, but I’ve had a few unfortunate incidents on days when I forget I’m using rear panniers.
The alternative is to wear a snot rag – sort of gross to have around the neck, but you can at least wash it at the end of the ride.
Funny. Good thing on my early ride into work is that I don’t get behind someone very often.
I did this once while riding a 12% climb with a hangover. The tandem behind me had some foul words. I didn’t know it was there. I was even more curious to why a tandem would be drafting me.
When I used to ride with my wife I could count on getting hit in the glasses at least once per day (since she’s slower she rode in front)
Gross gross gross! Have never even thought about doing this. I’ve never seen my husband do it, either; now I wonder what goes on when he’s riding solo…
tandem riders don’t fire if they want to live
tandem captains don’t fire if they want to live
Disgusting! There is a gross streak in this strip, ranging from sewer running to today’s strip.
I’ve never (thank the merciful Lord) encountered this kind of behaviour in Toronto’s bike lanes. This sort of biological function is what handkerchiefs are for. I’m kind of like Bilbo Baggins – don’t leave home without one.
I got nailed by a snot rocket once.
Guilty as charged. But only once – I’m (almost) always very careful.
Was once riding with Team CPA and I got the local state president. (Whoops).
@another Fred:
Tandem captains don’t eat at Taco Bell before a ride if they want to live… or if they want their stoker to live.
(not sure which)
this is a behavior i had to UNlearn when i began teaching spin classes. i thought it might be a bit crude for me to blow it right on the carpetted spin riser in front of 30+ riders.
so i had my lovely aerobic assistants keep me stocked with TWO boxes of kleenex [one on each side of me].
@Kevin Love
How do you get the hankerchief out of the pocket while riding in winter wearing gloves? Here in the tri-cities I eventually gave up on the idea of using the hankerchief in winter though I don’t leave home without one and use it at other times when not on the bike.