Wasps in the Woods

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 10:53 am

Three of us went for a nice little trail ride Saturday in the

high Sierras... single track trail. Came down into a little dip

and I started getting buzzed by a wasp, I called out to the others

that we should try and get out of there, when my mount

(pretty much steady Eddie that I have ridden many, many times)

double barreled it twice in quick succession because he had been

bit. I kept my seat (at almost 60 I am proud to say) and we rode

out a little bit, a friend got down and examined the horse for

welts, didn't see any and went on our way. Just a few minutes

later, my steady Eddie double barreled it again, and almost the

exact same time I SCREAMED, a wasp had got me THROUGH

MY JEANS and dear Lord but did that hurt, I see why he bucked!

One of the other horses got bit several times on the ears and head,

w/ much tossing/stomping to try and rid herself of the annoyance.

But other than that we were all okay.

What is really most amazing about all of this is that for the first

time EVER, I was wearing a helmet. Granted, I kept my seat

just fine through four bucks, but what if I hadn't?

Just goes to show... you don't ever know.

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:23 am

Oh my god, I can't tell you how much I hate stinging insects! I would've been having a fit.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:27 am

These guys actually have mandibles and bite out a chunk of your FLESH

to take back to the nest. EESH.

But, I guess it is better it was that, my one friend is allergic to bee stings

and didn't have her Epi pen with her!

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:34 am

I didn't know that. Now they terrify me even more.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:42 am

valerie;1404258 wrote: These guys actually have mandibles and bite out a chunk of your FLESH

to take back to the nest. EESH.

But, I guess it is better it was that, my one friend is allergic to bee stings

and didn't have her Epi pen with her!

It's not nice. I had a bad reaction a few years ago. Out of the blue. I'd been bitten before without any fuss - apart from the discomfort but this time it went off the scale. Started at my feet and worked its way up my body.

I now carry an epi-pen but I'm not obsessive with wasps or bees. We've lived at home with a bees nest in our neighbours chimney stack so we get them all the time in the house.

Ask them politely and wave them on and they oblige. Just dont piss them off...LOL

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:51 am

Sounds like it was a bit of a geriatrics rodeo.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 12:56 pm

YZGI;1404266 wrote: Sounds like it was a bit of a geriatrics rodeo.

:yh_rotfl

Hey now, the horse isn't THAT old!!

Post by **LarsMac** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:15 pm

Sounds more like hornet than wasp, though I have seen some big-ass wasps.

Glad you could keep your seat. Not sure I could.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:25 pm

It was mainly that "Wasps in the Woods" was more alliterative!

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:55 pm

We waved at wasps in the woods but they weaved their waspy way away all the while.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:23 pm

Thankfully you didn't need it, but what made you wear a helmet this particular day?

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 7:05 pm

Well, I debated, actually for several years. I've seen lengthy

discussions on another board pro and con. And I thought and I

thought and then thought some more, and made the decision

that I should.

They won't protect against everything, of course, but I think

trying to minimize damage to my HEAD if I can is a smart thing to do!

I researched and got a very light one, and wearing it (even with

air temps in the low 80's) was comfortable.

Also, the boy I call my grandson rides with us a lot of times, and

I want to encourage him in the wearing of his!

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 4:05 pm

valerie;1404311 wrote: Well, I debated, actually for several years. I've seen lengthy

discussions on another board pro and con. And I thought and I

thought and then thought some more, and made the decision

that I should.

They won't protect against everything, of course, but I think

trying to minimize damage to my HEAD if I can is a smart thing to do!

I researched and got a very light one, and wearing it (even with

air temps in the low 80's) was comfortable.

Also, the boy I call my grandson rides with us a lot of times, and

I want to encourage him in the wearing of his!

Cannot agree more.

I was out on the downs one day with my nephews cycling alongside me when one of them hit a buried rock and came off his bike on, apparently, lush grassland. When he stood up there was a splinter of stone embedded in his helmet that would certainly have penetrated his skull had he not been wearing one. I hate to think what harm it would have caused.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:05 pm

I imagine the incident will have encouraged your grandson to wear his!

I used to be a biker, and although I always wanted to ride without a helmet I knew it was foolish. Reckon it saved me twice. So I sympathise with Bryn - it's not the danger you forsee that gets you, it's the random events that can be so dangerous.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:23 pm

Clodhopper;1404638 wrote: I imagine the incident will have encouraged your grandson to wear his!

I used to be a biker, and although I always wanted to ride without a helmet I knew it was foolish. Reckon it saved me twice. So I sympathise with Bryn - it's not the danger you forsee that gets you, it's the random events that can be so dangerous.

As a biker I'd far rather ride without a helmet than without a pair of gloves - I know my reactions and can guarantee that the slightest off and I'd be looking at a fair time with no skin and unable to use my hands.