this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2023
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So, what's your strategy when cycling in the middle of nowhere re: bathroom breaks (lemmy.ca)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I cycle quite a bit (500-1000km / month), but my recreational routes have all been near areas where I know I'll have access to public toilets and clean drinking water.

I'd love to venture out onto more rural roads and areas, way outside of areas that might normally have toilet access, but that's quite literally the only thing holding me back from doing so.

What are your strategies? Piss by the side of the road and hope nobody sees you? Squat out in a heavily forested area and risk ticks?

This is not a topic that ever gets talked about with cycle tourists, endurance riders, and other long-distance cyclists, so I'd love to know how to approach this!

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

For me, middle of nowhere = rural (50-75+ km away from any populations over 1000). Not totally isolated, but enough people for me to care where I do my business.

Yeah, I was hoping it would be like "regular camping", but logistically, I can't see how people do it.

Like, some of these areas are either pure farmland or private property for pretty long stretches, turn after turn.

For example:

There doesn't seem to be any place to just duck into a forest and do your business. LOL

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Those bushes look nice lol

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Someone's house is like 30 feet behind there! haha

So many properties are lined along these rural roads, so you're always too close to someone's home/land/bushes, etc.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'd keep an eye out for abandoned houses. They seem to be everywhere around the Iowa countryside at least. Just watch out for trail cams lol you can usually spot them with your phone camera

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

That's an unusual, out-of-the-box idea! Not sure if I'd ever do that, personally, but options are options!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Meh, for pee, if it's adjacent to a path, I'd just go for it. Maybe go around the corner if there's better privacy there.

For poop, find somewhere with dirt and try to bury it somewhat. But ideally go before you leave home and you should be good all day.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Those trees on the right looks pretty private