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Matthew Beckman @daphsci.bsky.social

I did an experiment today. I wore a decently fitting N95 on my entire 15.6 mile bike ride home. It was fine. A little tougher, and only 3 water breaks, but I’m not coughing tonight.

Guy riding bike wearing sunglasses and 95 mask somewhere along the Bryant Avenue bike in Minneapolis, Minnesota Looking south at the Bryant Avenue bikeway in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Exact location, not know. Looking west from the midtown Greenway while passing under the I 35 bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota A very hazy view of the Minneapolis skyline taken from the Sabo Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota
aug 2, 2025, 1:40 am • 103 7

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Jeremy Cole @jeremycole.bsky.social

I can confirm that 3M Aura masks are fine for biking! Only annoying thing is it’s harder to drink water and you have to stop. ✨

aug 2, 2025, 3:13 am • 14 0 • view
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Cameron Maltby @cameronmaltby.bsky.social

Do they fog your glasses?

aug 3, 2025, 3:20 am • 0 0 • view
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Jeremy Cole @jeremycole.bsky.social

Not too bad if you pinch the nose thingy correctly. It has a metal bit in there so it can hold shape.

aug 3, 2025, 3:21 am • 1 0 • view
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Cameron Maltby @cameronmaltby.bsky.social

I’ll give them a try if we get too much forest fire smoke.

aug 3, 2025, 3:25 am • 0 0 • view
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Brian @vandalarchitect.bsky.social

For biking in smoky air the N95 masks with the exhale port thing are great if you can find one that fits you well.

aug 4, 2025, 7:46 pm • 1 0 • view
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Matthew Beckman @daphsci.bsky.social

If you get a tight fit around the nose and under the eyes you can avoid fogging lens (maybe not in winter if cold).

aug 3, 2025, 3:32 am • 1 0 • view
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Cameron Maltby @cameronmaltby.bsky.social

I’ve not been very successful keeping my glasses from fogging up. In winter I have over the glasses ski goggles which help.

aug 3, 2025, 3:43 am • 2 0 • view
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gscl.bsky.social @gscl.bsky.social

I noticed the same thing with the V-Flex N95 any time AQI>165. It helps so much to still be able to bike even when it's like this outside.

aug 2, 2025, 5:25 am • 7 0 • view
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quick13 @quick13.bsky.social

They work well for the particulate matter, 95% of most particulate matter (get it N95), but not for the ozone. Keep an eye on that.

aug 2, 2025, 1:55 am • 6 0 • view
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Matthew Beckman @daphsci.bsky.social

I’m frankly a lot more concerned with the 15+ years of smoking I did before quitting.

aug 2, 2025, 1:57 am • 8 0 • view
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quick13 @quick13.bsky.social

Yeah, I had that too, its all cumulative though. If you had COVID19 that's another issue too. The mask is definitely a good move.

aug 2, 2025, 1:58 am • 5 0 • view
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Frank Hudson @frankhudson.bsky.social

I can recommend the 3M 8511 respirator masks made for workplace/handyperson filtration for biking in the AQI smoke. The valve helps keep the seal working when breathing hard. May help keep glasses from fogging to some degree too.

Picture of box of 95% filtering 3M 8511 face masks, showing effective nose-shape area metal seal and downward exhale valve that also helps the face to mask seal working
aug 2, 2025, 2:47 pm • 3 0 • view
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Matthew Beckman @daphsci.bsky.social

Good point and I have some. Thanks for the reminder!

aug 2, 2025, 4:49 pm • 1 0 • view
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Jan M @juliettmike.bsky.social

During my hay fever season, I gave this a try. I have to say that it didn't work for me. It's questionable. My eyes weren't covered as well as they should have been. I'm still considering how to protect myself.

aug 2, 2025, 6:20 pm • 1 0 • view
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snoopsel @snoopsel.bsky.social

Coco oil with a tip cotton swab in your nose, decent nasal spray and same for eye drops & use of (sun) glasses. The Coco oil will keep your nasal mucous membranes hydrated and the pollen will stick to it and not enter your body.

aug 3, 2025, 5:33 am • 3 0 • view
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snoopsel @snoopsel.bsky.social

I use Zaditen eye drops & Dymista nasal spray. But Im Dutch, so dont know about availability in US.

aug 3, 2025, 5:36 am • 1 0 • view
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getting really into surf rock this year @patrickmcmahon.bsky.social

I rode across the country during the 2021 wildfire season, in a kn95 on days when the avi was over ~80. it can be annoying but it made such a difference and I felt great at the end of the day.

aug 4, 2025, 7:07 pm • 1 0 • view