Air quality

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danp

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Do you guys think it's a bad idea to take a touring trip next week due to the air quality? I was gonna go for a multi-day ride and not sure if being outside on my bike for several long days in a row is a bad idea now and maybe I should postpone the trip until air quality improves.
 
danp said:
Do you guys think it's a bad idea to take a touring trip next week due to the air quality? I was gonna go for a multi-day ride and not sure if being outside on my bike for several long days in a row is a bad idea now and maybe I should postpone the trip until air quality improves.
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I wouldn't be too concerned given what I have seen. I am more worried about visibility than haze if I headed towards the source. Worst case, we all have a huge supply of masks to filter the air if you are concerned. Would I want to run a marathon every day? No. Sitting on a bike is not a ton of effort and I won't be passing much more crap through my lungs than a normal person sitting in an office.
 
I wouldn't worry about it too much .
 
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Looking at the air quality health index, it's worst in toronto and ottawa. I'm going to nova scotia where it's better although I will be passing through the ottawa area.

Air Quality Health Index

Summary of current values and forecast maximums
weather.gc.ca weather.gc.ca
 
As stated above, if you are concerned, bring appropriate protective gear. Be safe and enjoy the ride.
 
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danp said:
You saying I should wear a face mask under my helmet?
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If you are concerned, it wouldn't hurt. Bonus points if it is white. You can look at it after a few hours and see if it is capturing a lot of crap or if it is unnecessary. Indoor air quality is pretty atrocious in general, a little haze in the air doesn't bother me. If I had pre-existing lung conditions, I may think differently.
 
Depends on your tolerance for poor quality air.

We had the worst forest fires in BC a couple of years ago, ash was falling from the sky non-stop for weeks. Air quality doesn't bother me much, so I was riding every day in those conditions, but I know people who basically stayed indoors for six weeks, that's how sensitive they were to the smoke and ash.
 
I'm playing soccer tonight.
Hopefully I make it to the end of the game.
 
I’m sort of wondering the same thing but for me it’s not my lungs as much as my eyes that are bothering me. If I go anywhere north and east I’ll probably bring along some eye drops.
 
I dunno OP has a point. This morning headed out as didn't seem to unusual. But this afternoon (now) it sucks outside. It's all hazy and fog like, and sinky, but makes you feel like chit.
 
we had indoor recess all day due to the air quality alert...hubby and I are supposed to go north for 3 weeks starting July 5 (Sudbury, SSM, Thunder Bay, Timmins and North Bay) and bringing the bicycles with us...I'm wondering too if we should rebook...hmmmmm
 
danp said:
You saying I should wear a face mask under my helmet?
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I remember leaving @Lightcycle 's place in late summer 2020 and the air was so thick from smoke, you could only see a few hunded metres in front of you. I took my Raptors facemask and stuffed Subway napkins in it and the breathing was fine. It's was suprisingly easy ride with it on. Also means less traffic on the road.

I say go for it!
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jc100 said:
I’m sort of wondering the same thing but for me it’s not my lungs as much as my eyes that are bothering me. If I go anywhere north and east I’ll probably bring along some eye drops.
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Same with me. I didn't ride today because the smoke is really irritating my eyes.
 
My wife went for a run today. Smoke made her tired but didnt have an issue with eyes or coughing.
 
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