I was asked a question today...

[ronnie421]

On a long trip, say, the TA, do cyclists usually reach towns frequently enough to allow a female the privacy she needs to use the restroom? I know guys can usually go just about anywhere.  But all that riding requires lots of fluids, which in turn requires frequent stops. Where does the female "go" when the next town is still not in reach?

[Galloper]

I think it was Josie Dew, in one of her books, who discussed the many and varied uses of a cycling cape!

[staehpj1]

On a long trip, say, the TA, do cyclists usually reach towns frequently enough to allow a female the privacy she needs to use the restroom?

In a word, no.  There are days where you don't see a town all day.

That said squatting in a ditch when there isn't any traffic isn't the end of the world.  I did the TA with two young women and they managed fine.

[valygrl]

Yeah, no, you're going to have to learn to pee on the side of the road.  There's an art to finding the right spot.  Trees/bushes are pretty obvious, but culverts are good too.  Small variations in terrain can be enough.  Start looking for a spot before the need is urgent.  Review the terrain ahead, and if you're about to leave the last privacy for a long time, avail yourself of it.  Watch where you step.  Learn the poisonous plants in the area you'll be traveling.

If all else fails, there's always the ostrich principle - if you can't see them, they can't see you - close your eyes.

And it's not OK to leave TP.  If you use it, bring it with you or burn it if it's safe to do so.

And yeah, the rain jacket with the long tail?  That does have additional uses.  But they are usually bright colored, so that can be a problem. 

Icky as this may sound to you, it won't take long to get used to it, please please do not let this prevent you from doing your trip!

[Tandem4Rider]

"Watch where you step." 

That made me smile.  In a related sense when I've taken people into the backcountry backpacking for the first time I warn them to be careful when they find the "perfect" spot - odds are they are not the first to notice it.

[DaveB]

Well, here are a couple of devices that make the problem a bit easier:
 
http://www.campmor.com/lady-j.shtml
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80980

[valygrl]

Well, here are a couple of devices that make the problem a bit easier:
 
http://www.campmor.com/lady-j.shtml
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80980

Actually, I find those to be way nastier than just going au natural.

and w/r/t "watch where you step" - I was actually thinking about other stuff - sticker bushes, snakes, broken glass, mud, poison oak....  but yeah, uh previous deposits are always a potential hazard. 

[Tourista829]

On a long trip, say, the TA, do cyclists usually reach towns frequently enough to allow a female the privacy she needs to use the restroom? I know guys can usually go just about anywhere.  But all that riding requires lots of fluids, which in turn requires frequent stops. Where does the female "go" when the next town is still not in reach?

[DaveB]

Actually, I find those to be way nastier than just going au natural.

OK, I obviously have no experience with these things but certainly will bow to expert testemony. 

[Tourista829]

Mr. Girlfriend at first, was not comfortable with going off to the side of the road, but out of necessity she got use to it. After a while she didn't even notice. On some of our tours when you drink 2 100oz bladders of water, one goes a lot.

[Shane]

Untill a few years ago I had the same issues with taking a no2, Wild camping was out of the question because I need to do it with 15 minutes of waking up.

But like all things you get used to it and life becomes alot more simple. And now in many places I visit I'd rather take a shit in the woods than at the public "convenience".

Shane

[windrath]

ronnie421 -

I agree with all of the other posts.  A female friend of mine has a technique, hard to describe, which involves only pulling the bike shorts half way down her quads and one foot slightly further ahead of the other.  She can pee along the side of the road and, for all passing by, would look like she is just kneeling down.  The only evidence of anything otherwise is the puddle and the cars won't see that as they zoom by.  The benefit of this technique is no worries about poison ivy, etc..

And, if you encounter some of the outhouses in the Black Hills that have baked in the sun all summer, you will gladly do your business in the woods instead of the outhouse.

Good Luck....

[ronnie421]

Thanks for all the input. I'll make sure to pass all this info over to her. I am still planning my TA tour for summer of 2012. Getting really excited.  But still hvae not found a touring partner. I have already decided to go alone if I cant find one!

[cotterg3]

Well, here are a couple of devices that make the problem a bit easier:
 
http://www.campmor.com/lady-j.shtml
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80980

LOL @ the product title the "Sani Fresh Freshette"

In KS I "invented" the 'wait for downhill and no cars, unclip right cleat, place right foot on rack, lean forward and go' technique. The learning curve was short yet somewhat brutal.