Wasp alert for road cyclists: Why cyclists should be particularly careful right now

​A sting on his lip forced Tom Pidcock to take an involuntary break from training, with serious consequences. His TOUR colleague Leon Weidner also recently had a painful encounter with a wasp whilst out exercising. These black-and-yellow insects are particularly noticeable again in late summer and early autumn. For cyclists, an encounter whilst riding at high speed can be especially unpleasant.

Tom Pidcock had actually had other opponents in mind during training. But just before the Road World Championships in Montréal, of all times, the Brit found himself up against an extremely small opponent. Following a training accident, Pidcock posted a photo of his noticeably swollen lip and humorously commented on the encounter with the words “I had a fight”. Media reports suggest that he was apparently stung by a bee or a wasp. The incident will not derail his World Championships plans.

The topic has also come up recently in the TOUR community: our colleague Leon Weidner was recently stung by a wasp whilst out running. These two incidents are very typical of this time of year. It is precisely towards the end of summer that people encounter these insects particularly frequently.

Why wasps are so conspicuous at this time of year

However, it cannot be said across the board that wasps suddenly become ‘more aggressive’ in September. In fact, their foraging behaviour changes towards the end of the season. As the number of larvae in the wasp nest declines, the worker wasps lose an important source of sugar. As a result, they increasingly search outside the nest for energy-rich food. Sweet drinks, fruit and other sugary foods consequently become more attractive to them. This means that wasps and humans are more likely to cross paths.

This also explains why insects often seem more aggressive at this time of year. A sting is not usually an unprovoked attack, but a defensive reaction – for example, when the insect feels threatened or trapped. Frantic flailing or waving your arms about is therefore not a good idea.

On a road bike, however, ‘keeping your cool’ is easier said than done. Whilst you can dodge a wasp during a coffee break, it’s almost impossible to avoid a collision at 30, 40 or 50 km/h. If an insect flies into your open mouth, under your helmet, behind your glasses or into your jersey, it happens in the blink of an eye. The natural reflex to suddenly swat at the insect can, moreover, become the real problem whilst cycling. The key safety tip is therefore: despite your startled reaction, try to brake in a controlled manner first and only look for the insect once you’ve come to a complete stop.

Particularly sensitive: injections around the mouth and throat

Pidcock’s thick lip makes for a spectacular sight. However, such an encounter becomes a particularly serious medical issue if an insect stings inside the mouth or throat. In these areas, the mucous membranes or tongue can swell rapidly, thereby constricting the airways. The German Red Cross recommends that in the event of a A stinging sensation in the mouth or throat Therefore, call the emergency services immediately on 112 and cool the patient both internally and externally, for example using ice, provided they are able to swallow, and by applying cold compresses to the neck.

Typical reactions to a normal sting include pain, redness, itching and localised swelling. Applying a cold compress can help relieve pain and swelling. It can be particularly dangerous if you are allergic to insect venom. Shortness of breath, severe skin reactions, dizziness or circulatory problems can be signs of a severe allergic reaction and also require immediate medical attention.

Things cyclists should bear in mind

It is not possible to completely avoid encounters with wasps whilst out and about. However, a few simple precautions can reduce the risk:

• Wearing glasses: It protects the eyes, at least, from coming into direct contact with insects.
• Fasten the jersey: If you cycle with your jersey wide open, you give wasps and other insects the chance to get between the fabric and your skin.
• Take a closer look when preparing food: Check your food and drink, particularly during breaks. The German Red Cross (DRK) recommends covering food and drink when outdoors and taking a look at every mouthful or drink before consuming it.
• Do not swat at insects whilst driving: If a wasp gets under your helmet or jersey, slow down as smoothly as possible, come to a safe stop, and only then deal with it.
• If you have a known allergy, be prepared: The German Red Cross (DRK) advises those affected to seek medical advice and, where appropriate, to carry a suitable first-aid kit.

However, it would be unfair to say that wasps are merely a nuisance. These insects fulfil important ecological functions and, amongst other things, prey on other insects. Their increased presence towards the end of summer is part of the natural annual cycle.

For road cyclists, this means, above all, taking a closer look during these weeks. After all, you can prepare for potholes, rain or a bonk. If a wasp flies into your jersey whilst you’re cycling at 40, there’s one thing above all that helps: keep calm, stop safely and hope that the encounter ends less dramatically than it did for Tom Pidcock.