Riding With Allergies

Spring's coming on, and in Florida, March means pollen counts in the 9 to 10 range (considered high to very-high). Riding when you have pollen allergies can be miserable, and dangerous. I try to stay off any kind of medication when I'm riding, because there's nothing worse than feeling drowsy or blurry-eyed on the road (we're talking allergies right now).

Of course, sneezing constantly is no fun either.

What causes pollen allergy reactions?

• A grain of pollen looks like a very spiky sea urchin. When it enters your nasal and bronchial passages, it latches onto the mucous membranes and gets stuck.
• These membranes have cells (called mast cells) full of histamines.
• When an allergen trigger (like pollen) lands on one of these cells, a receptor sitting on top of the cell tells the cell to let loose on the histamines.
  
• The histamine starts a series of annoying reactions like sneezing, watery eyes, and itching to help you get rid of the allergan.
  

What are some natural solutions?

• Neti Pots are a way to flush your sinuses, but are really for after you ride. Someone mentions this in the LiveJournal discussion mentioned below.
• Quercetin is a natural plant-derived compound (flavonoid) that helps keep the mast cells from releasing histamine. Flavonoids can be found in citrus and green tea.
• Food can help. Add some horseradish, chili peppers or hot mustard to your food. They're all temporary decongestants.
• Stinging nettle is a natural antihistamine without the side effects (drowsiness, dry mouth) associated with the drugs most commonly used.

So, what are you options?
I usually go with a bandanna over my mouth and nose when riding in a half helmet. It helps cut down on what you're breathing in, and actually works on days with moderate pollen counts. A full face gives you additional protection if you keep the vents closed.

Before I start out in the morning, I try and get an idea of the pollen count. You've got several options available.

• Pollen.com has an Allergy Forecast by state
• Google and Yahoo desktop pollen widgets can be downloaded from Pollen.com's site
• Weather.com's PollenCast is pretty quick and easy if you're already online
  

You should also avoid certain kinds of food during ragweed season since they share allergans with ragweed:

• Sunflower seeds
• Melons and bananas
• Zucchini and cucumber

What have others tried? Here are a few conversations on the web:

• LiveJournal's gerardwing got a good "Riding with Alleriges" thread going with several riders giving their solutions.
• Masks are available from several manufacturers. You can find reviews and comments on several different types at AchooAllergy.com's blog. Respro does make a bandanna-style scarf called the Bandit Scarf.
  

You can also get more information on natural remedies and causes from several web sites:

• WebMD
• Allergy Treatment / Allergy Relief Blog
• FamilyDoctor.org
  

Rolling Thunder (Jeff McShay)

For ride information in Florida, visit RideFL.com.

Video documentary available:
Ride With Thunder

Rolling Thunder: Rides from West Coast & VA

As promised, some information about organized rides.

Virginia

Ride of the Patriots

• Starts Friday, May 23th with a Chapter ride to the Candlelight Vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
• Saturday, May 24th, Patriot Harley-Davidson Open House. Bring your national H.O.G. membership to receive a commemorative pin for Rolling Thunder XXI. Ride of the Patriots 2008 commemorative T-Shirt available from the dealership.
• For a detailed schedule, visit the Fairfax VA H.O.G. Chapter site for Ride of the Patriots.
  

West Coast

Run For The Wall

Two organized rides leaving from Southern California. It has a very engaged community forum for answers about the ride.

Central route goes through AZ, NM, CO, KS, MO, IN, WV
Southern route goes through AZ, NM, TX, LA, MS, TN, VA



Video documentary available:
Ride With Thunder

Rolling Thunder XXI

Since I'm a military brat (Air Force), Spring is on its way, and many are browsing the web for road trip ideas, I think there's probably no better time to get the word out about the Memorial Day Rolling Thunder XXI Ride Freedom than the present. Mark your calendar - the ride takes place on May 25, 2008.

Some think Rolling Thunder or Run To The Wall is a parade that heads to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C. each year. Actually, it's not a parade. It's a demonstration. Rolling Thunder chapters throughout the country are committed to advocating for military vets and drawing attention to the fact that thousands of American soldiers were left behind in Vietnam, Laos and other countries. That's 93,237 designated as missing.

The first ride took place on Memorial Day in 1988 and totaled 2,500 people, all advocating for those missing in action in any war. The noise of the motorcycles reminded those in attendance of the 1965 bombing raid in North Vietnam dubbed "Operation Rolling Thunder." A name and a passion for POW/MIA advocacy was born. Last year was the 20th run, and many know of the event, but not its history or purpose.

My father fought in Vietnam, and I did go to the wall before I started riding. This year, I've been thinking about how great it would be to go with my father on the ride. Granted, I'd have to find a way to get him on the bike, which is odd, since he disarmed bombs, so you would think getting on a motorcycle would be easy. But - it's probably my role as the rider and his as a passenger that would be more the problem.

There are a number of details for the ride, and some states have escorted rides to Washington. I'll add some additional posts for those items, but the main information you need is:

Assembly Area - North Pentagon parking lot at 8AM

Leaving for the Vietnam Memorial - at 12:00 noon for the ride through Washington D.C. to to Vietnam Memorial to pay respect to the men and women who gave their lives for the country.

Speakers & Music - located at the west end of the reflecting pool across from the Lincoln Memorial. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Aisle Assignments - Please visit the Rolling Thunder web site and click on the promotion on the home page for Rolling Thunder XXI, or download the Rolling Thunder event information now.

Video documentary available:
Ride With Thunder

"Why Do You Have To Hate?"

I work with a guy who is very big into sport bikes, and manages a web site called Enginehead. Since I'm a Harley rider, we go back-and-forth quite a bit, all in fun, about which is better, cooler, and in general, worth paying money for.

We got into a nice little debate on American vs. Japanese bikes one day, when out of the blue he said, "You Harley riders, why do you have to hate?" It sort of surprised me. So I just looked at him (and it's hard catching me off my game like that), then he continued, "you don't wave at the guys on sport bikes, what's up with that?! You can't even say thanks for being on the road. That's just wrong." Wow - who knew sport bike riders had feelings!!

And, he's right. It is. I do give the Harley "two fingers down" wave to most folks - unless they're on a scooter - I'm just not that enlightened yet. Even the Honda guys with their "table for five" wave that makes you think you've just passed someone you knew in high school and they've recognized you at the local park get a wave from me.

Hey - we're all out there with the cages. It only makes sense that we at least thank one another for being on the road and raising the awareness level of the cagers who rarely look.

So - at least once this month, try not to hate, and hug a sport biker. If you can't do that, at least wave. Afterall, the Harley riders do have the coolest wave - so we should at least flaunt it.

Hmmmm . . . OK, so I'm not above at least poking at them a little.

Classic Street-Bike Videos:
Urban Assault
Urban Street-Bike Warriors