Southeast Riders - Question about Cicadas

[Moto-Charlie]

I read an article today that says billions of cicadas will be emerge this summer for their mating rituals, starting late April.

I am planning a possible ride down through Virgina and northern Georgia in mid-May.

Does anyone have experience with riding during the time the cicadas are out? Does it cause any problems riding (perhaps if/when they hit the bike while moving) or any issues with them covering the road?

I've never seen them before and am just wondering what to expect. Thanks

 

[dduelin]

Lived in cicada range for 68 years and never pondered your thoughts. They don’t swarm in clouds of insects around here (Florida/Georgia) even in the years of plenty but the 2024 map sort of leaves the SE out.

 

[ibike2havefun]

They don’t swarm in clouds of insects around here (Florida/Georgia)

I don't think they do that anywhere. I've seen 'em in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Murrilyn and they haven't been a problem in that regard. They cling to trees and other similar surfaces, and the millions of carcasses will collect in gutters along the sides of the street, but they're not a threat or hazard to motorized navigation as far as I know. Still, you may want to keep your visor closed as you pass through bug country- taking a cicada in the face while you're traveling at highway speed would be unpleasant, to say the least.

 

[randalicious]

. . . Still, you may want to keep your visor closed as you pass through bug country- taking a cicada in the face while you're traveling at highway speed would be unpleasant, to say the least.

Amen to that! I've only been struck by a June Bug hitting my chest at highway speed, which was "protected" by my T-shirt (young and dumb), and it really smarted!
IMHO, cicadas stay in their forest cover and aren't prone to be over highways.

 

[Larry Fine]

We don't usually see them, but we sure do hear them!

 

[HR Cole]

When airborne they fly really slow. You usually can see them and dodge them so you don’t take a direct hit to the helmet. They don’t fly in swarms. They can be messy. I live in southern Indiana.

 

[Uncle Phil]

We don't usually see them, but we sure do hear them!

Yeah, they are more a 'noise' hazard than a 'physical' hazard.
Just the same, I wouldn't want one to go down the old 'food trough'!

 

[SmashVol]

And don't be surprised if you see people out catching them, well a few. I found out from a buddy that I worked with that they would catch, freeze, and send themto his wife's family. She was from Thailand and they were considered a delicacy. To each, their own. I'll stick to burgers and hotdogs.

 

[Sadlsor]

In FL, and to a lesser extent GA, the "love bugs" (not Volkswagens) are messier and if they don't swarm, they may as well.
I've had to stop every 100 miles, or more, because while very small, they are prolific and can cover a windscreen and / or faceshield in short order.
I don't know their actual name, but they're small and black and very annoying.

 

[Igofar]

An easy way to keep your bike clean after riding through areas with insects, would be to take a can of Pam cooking spray, and spray down the fork legs, and front area(s) of the bike.
The bugs that don't just slide off, will wash off with water very easily, and the Pam cooking spray won't hurt anything.
Been doing that on Harley's for years, when riding through areas of grasshoppers or insects.

 

[ST Gui]

I'll stick to burgers and hotdogs.

Some would argue that hotdogs could be a more questionable food source than bugs and grubs that are considered delicacies or staples in other parts of the world. The exception might be hotdogs made by people who answer to a higher authority.

Me I'll take my chances with burgers and hotdogs. Well as long as neither are made with turkey. And no sauerkraut.

 

[DannoXYZ]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/spicy-popcorn-cicadas/

https://www.bonappetit.com/uncategorized/article/how-to-cook-cicadas-according-to-3-richmond-va-chefs