Riding Masked

[rockyroller]

did a quick search & didn't see a recent thread. forgive me if I missed it. due to the recent snow pack I'm limited to riding the road or a popular paved trail. opted for the trail but that meant wearing a face covering. don't like it, I find it quite limiting. everyone on this trail wears one, so there's no cheating. altho if I saw a long stretch w/ no one, I slipped it down for some full lung filling. got to use my fun helmet w/ a face shield too

 

[Slick]

I do occasionally wear a buff mostly on the colder mornings but I need my lungs working at capacity for most of it so end up pulling it down most of the time.

 

[vickster]

Why do you need one if outdoors and passing others quickly if at all?

 

[rockyroller]

Why do you need one if outdoors and passing others quickly if at all?

it is required on this trail. there are signs. but you mentioned the key word "if". on this trail there's lot's of close contact. for example close passes of groups, following someone before passing them. stopping at intersections to cross roads w/ other ppl, etc etc

 

[vickster]

I’d go somewhere quieter myself
Presumably you’re not following closer than 2m for many minutes. If you are and can’t get past, drop back

 

[rockyroller]

I’d go somewhere quieter myself

oh I do, usually, but right now there's too much snow pack in the woods for the MTB & the roads are still too sketchy for the road bike. this trail is really the only place I feel safe. picking a time other than a sunny Saturday afternoon will reduce the #s. I can ride this trail at night after work w/ much fewer ppl

 

[lane]

Where exactly is this occuring?

 

[Gravity Aided]

Where exactly is this occuring?

I would assume west of Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

 

[Gravity Aided]

You can get a thin gaiter at Wal*Mart that won't interfere too much, if you want to brave that mess before Christmas.

 

[Drago]

It's about this point where I'd normally recommend a gimp mask.

Whatever you plump for I'd not recommend anything too restrictive for you breathing. Perhaps some kind of buff? I recall reading somewhere long before Covid that rigorous exercise with a mask (in the context of the article anti-pollution masks) can cause problems and make the user more prone to respiratory infections.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I hear the 'rona makes for some breathing problems as well.

 

[Drago]

Oh yeah, you're not wrong my friend. Be careful out there.

 

[Gravity Aided]

In the Midwest U.S., though, I don't have to worry about crowded trails this time of year. Even though I do not have any snow. Cold enough for a balaclava, warm enough to still ride.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Is this you when out riding?

 

[rivers]

Why do you need one if outdoors and passing others quickly if at all?

From what my family in Massachusetts says, masks/face coverings are pretty much required at all times in public spaces, whether indoors or outdoors.