Close Menu
    Mountain Biking

    I have a dumb question which I’m sure will garner many dismissive and snide responses: Can someone still mountain bike hard in wildfire smoke with a good mask on or is it just a lost cause?


    I have a dumb question which I’m sure will garner many dismissive and snide responses: Can someone still mountain bike hard in wildfire smoke with a good mask on or is it just a lost cause?

    I have a dumb question which I’m sure will garner many dismissive and snide responses: Can someone still mountain bike hard in wildfire smoke with a good mask on or is it just a lost cause?
    by u/geo_jam in MTB



    by geo_jam

    Share.
    View 15 Comments

    15 Comments

    1. Ambitious_PizzaParty on

      I’m going to go with no. Based on your riding I’m sure it’s hard to resist. It’s kind of like surfing right after the rain. Sure, you might get away with it but doesn’t mean you should test it out

    4. NotDaveyKnifehands on

      Can and Should are very different things here.

      While you Can ride in dense wildfire smoke with an n95. It will not be without consequences both immediate and possibly long term.

      I love riding more than anything, but destroying your respiratory health long term just for some laps right now is absolutely foolish and something you Should Not do.

      Well, unless you like feeling like you just hacked 2 packs of darts and deepthroated a gravel encrusted sausage. But hey. Do you Boo.

    5. dyasonon on

      I actually looked into this as where I live we’ve had a lot of smoke. You’ve got the option of wearing an N95 mask, but it’s not really a good solution. It will protect you from the smoke particles, but it won’t protect you from the VOCs that come with the smoke. It also isn’t that breathable when you’re working out as the air inside the mask will heat up pretty quickly.

      What that means is you’d have to go the respirator route and ensure that you use VOC protective filters. Those masks are much larger and heavier, but they are really, really effective and their breathability is much better.

      Mask Example: [https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B007JZ1N00/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B007JZ1N00/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) -> I’d recommend finding one with a silicone face piece as it will won’t hurt your skin

      Filter Cartridge Example: [https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B009POHLRC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B009POHLRC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

    6. bubkuss on

      I think climbing with a mask would be challenging, not to mention sweaty AF and uncomfortable.

      I hiked a few years ago in wildfire smoke and it was noticeably more difficult. No reason you can’t, but it’d be more sensible to sit it out until the smoke clears.

    7. KA440 on

      I made the mistake of pushing through smoke a few summers ago. Still have lasting effects. Don’t do it

    8. its-not-that-bad on

      I’ve tried and wouldn’t recommend it. In fact, it’s the only thing that’s gotten me to stop setting forest fires.

    9. ciscopete on

      I ride with an N95 mask a few years back. Breathing gets difficult. Probably wouldn’t do it again

    11. Ok-Anything-5828 on

      I mean, go ahead, but you’re going to have a hard time breathing even if you have a mask on.

    12. MojobangLXIX on

      Look into masks from Respro from the UK. They sell a number of sport masks (designed for filtering out fine particulate matter and VOCs) and I’ve used one for years, changing the filter every month or so. I actually just bought a new mask and am awaiting delivery now.

      They filter out everything from smoke to pollen to car exhaust to PM2.5. I highly recommend them. Make sure you buy the right size and I would consider getting the head strap for a more stable fit.

      Cheers and happy riding.

    13. fusiongt021 on

      I would bike a few years ago in northern California when the wildfires were bad. I was close enough that the city 7 miles north of me got the evacuation warning (they ended up not being evacuated but I’m sure had things packed in case). I don’t think it’s worth riding. Even with a mask, there’s parts where smoke will just settle (like on rolling hills) and it can be so thick that visibility will be hard to see and it’s like riding through a chimney.

      It’s just not good so any health benefits you’re doing with cycling is offset with smoke in your lungs. I guess with the n95 mask it would help with that but I hate working out with masks… If it doesn’t bother you, then your choice.

    15. mestapho on

      I tried when CA was dealing with the Camp fire. Smoke was REALLY bad in my area.

      Put on an N95 which worked great until it saturated with sweat and then it was like being waterboarded.

    Leave A Reply