Hair washing...

Apparently the scalp produces oil to keep the hair in good condition. If you wash the oil out the scalp produces more... the more you wash the more oil. If you suddenly stop washing then it takes the scalp about 2 to 3 weeks to realise this and reduce the oil production to suit.

The scheme of watering down the shampoo - simply reduces the amount of oil being washed out .. thus this would reduce the change if/when you can no longer wash .. Possibly a good scheme would be to gradually reduce the shampoo towards nothing when you know you are coming up to a 'no wash area'?

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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

Having just returned from 6 months travelling around Eastern Europe, my own findings are thus:

Thongs chafe big time. So do lacy knickers. Best ones for me were my pretty Marks & Spencer red spotty knickers, like a short shorts. No seam up the back. Wash and dry overnight, or hang them on the bike to dry as you ride.

To wash underwear with no washing powder, the only soap I found that works is Palmolive - leaves underwear soapy fresh and odour-free, and rinses out leaving them soft not crispy. Other soaps leave them like cardboard.

When camping if you want to shave your legs and have access to water, heat water on camping stove, fill a collapsible bowl with hot water, and in the privacy of your tent shave away, or use the water to have a good strip wash.

Baby wipes are fantastic, and even get grease off your hands after working on your bike.

I purchased lots of panty liners - if you can only find thin ones and get your period, use 2 or 3 on top of each other.

In Morocco and most of Eastern Europe you can't flush paper down the loo, so dispose of it in a plastic bag and then in a bin when you find one. Oh and you usually have to carry your own paper as many places don't have any.

Squatting - much easier with motocross boots on. They support the ankle and lower leg. Bit difficult getting between your legs to wipe in that position though!

Hair washing - I have long hair and wash it every day. Not really a problem where we went though as we weren't in the desert (except in Morocco but we got digs with running water there). Not always possible to wash it so learned to ming for a couple of days till I could. I've washed it in rivers, fountains, public loo sinks, stand taps. If camping in winter, wash it, dry as much as poss with a towel, then stand in bright sunlight to dry, and keep lifting the hair to get air through it. You'll be surprised how fast it'll dry.

If you'll be staying in places with cold or hard floors (ie nearly everywhere we went) take slippers with you. Best thing I did the whole trip. There's nothing worse than getting up for a pee in the middle of the night and freezing your toes off.

Put clean socks on when climbing into your sleeping bag - and if you put furry slippers on too, it's much warmer.

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Does my bum look big on this bike?

That's rough, most girls wait until you put your underwear back on before dumping you.

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http://www.mongolbikers.com

I would urge anyone considering using the depo injection purely as a means of stopping their periods to seek further medical advice. Recent research has now shown a link between the use of the injection and a decrease in bone density which then puts you at a high risk of osteoporosis.

I had been using the depo injection as a method of contraception until last year when due to the research and this link being made with decreased bone density I was sent to have a bone scan at the local hospital. I was told this was just a precaution and I shouldn't worry, especially as I have always participated in a lot of sports and I'm on the whole generally very physically fit and healthy, and to my knowledge I have no previous family history of osteoporosis or bone problems.

I returned to my local family planning clinic to have my regular 3 month injection but they had just received the results back from the bone scan at the hospital and the results were not good, my bone density was well below what it should be and I'm only in my mid twenties. I was completely shocked by the results, this was not what I was expecting to hear at all. As a result I am no longer allowed to use the injection, and I am just hoping that in time my bone density will return to normal.

I'm not saying you absolutely shouldn't use the depo injection, but be aware of the possible side effects and speak to a medical practitioner. I had been using the depo injection on and off for several years which is why they sent me for a bone scan, but the whole experience has now made me extremely cautious about using any hormones as a means of contraception let alone to control bleeding!

Mrs Bossies here again:
I have really knotty hair that needs A LOT of conditioner. On our trip last year I managed to find a bar of soap in the LUSH chain of shops (natural soaps etc). It contains shampoo and conditioner in one bar of soap and comes in different flavours and types. It is good for 80 washes and lasted right through Europe, Middle East up to South Ethiopia. (my husband used it occasionaly to shave with). It was really creamy and I will defnitely take it next time.

For my periods I took my Pill back to back (ie skipping the 7 pill-free days) for 3 months at a time. I practised this before hand and knew that I would get "spotting" at about 3 months. I worked it out so we would be somewhere "civilised" every time I have a period. This worked for me but the ideal will be to go without.

I bougth the Sheewee (funnel) for peeing but only used it in Europe next to the road. In the Middle East I was drinking lots but only went to the loo a few times a day. In Africa you could just squat next to the road. I also found that the Sheewee is very tricky. Its OK if you have a normal pee but if you've been holding for a while and the stream is too strong the funnel tends to overflow...

I didn't wear make-up on the road but smugled a small mascara, lipliner and a bit of concealer as well as a small travel perfume. (you never know!!!). I used a tube eye cream as a moisturiser for my face at night and just normal sun block during the day. My skin burnt right through my 55SPF sunblock on my nose and cheeks from the antimalarial combination we took (Doxycycline) and the sun. Its all OK now but I don't know if I will take Doxy again. (I'm fair). I didn't suffer any thrush etc from the Doxy.

Another tip for girls like me that needs a lot of care: get one or two tiny samples from Body Shop: face mask, scrub, whatever you can get. The containers are the size of a 50pence and are really treats for high days and holidays or for when you need some TLC. I also took a small bottle of Teatree oil with me for skin breakouts, skin disinfection etc

Wetwipes are a must. Lip balm in every pocket (but sometimes it melts....)

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If there's a will there's a way so I will anyway!
http://www.buyaikhaya.blogspot.com

I just wanted to post a thanks to Mrs Bossies, and everyone else that has continued to post in this thread. Some brilliants tips and I keep taking notes. I find it great to know what other women have done and been successful (or not) with. The overflowing shewee was an image to behold, and I think i might just stick to cruppying.

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Don't be scared your life may end,
Be scared that it may never begin.......

Hi everyone, I'm new to the HUBB after finally being badgered into signing up by my husband Xander! I wanted to post here because I found this thread by accident when we were preparing for our 3 week Romania trip in May this year, and the suggestions I found were a huge help! And I do say stumbled, as I couldn't find it again after my first HUUK meet this July, but thanks to Maria and Charlotte's request (which I really wanted to support at the time but wasn't signed up!), I'm really pleased to see it now has it's own special easy-to-find place!

So really I'm saying hi, great thread, and I'll add my own experiment results over time!

Cheers, Tam

I'm pretty sure I've seen mooncups ion the shelf in the Uk in BOOT for those interested!

Doing a full round the world tour, expected to last 2 years, anyone have any idea if i can keep up with the injection on the tour (Africa,South Asia and Middle East) or is it worth getting another form of birth control?

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***Sorry, can you repeat that......Err what was that again***

Hi Twinkle,

I can't answer that! But can I suggest you to start a new thread on this subject (in this forum) as it may get you more attention? Put a clear title to it like "Keeping up with depo injections on RTW trip" or something like that...

Cheers,

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

cheers i'll give it a go, hoping my gp will let me be cheeky and take the required supply with me?

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***Sorry, can you repeat that......Err what was that again***

What a wonderful thread. Chicks have issues to deal with on the road for sure that men dont here's my 2 cents..

Ive had an IUD for a few years now and barely get any visits from aunt flo. we did our first ride last may for 3+ weeks & i didn't need anything. (i took a few OBs just in case - they take up very little space - no applicator)

I dont wear drawers, they take up space and i dont like em. i took 3 pairs of jeans but i only needed 2. the tide packets are great for sink laundry.

2nd mineral foundation (which has spf), i sell it at my job, its great stuff. i also take a general sunblock for my man, he is not semi swarthy like me.

2nd wipe packets - essential!, good for visor bugs too.

hair...i have really long hair so it has to be plaited & even then the wind is murder. brushing it more than once a week is just too much work. i wash it with whatever is handy...sort it out when i get home...

i am intrigued by this device which allows one to pee standing up! im a big girl and my moon is...er...moonsized. would be nice not to bare it in future locales...

Its amazing how much stuff you DONT need. we packed 2 panniers + camping gear, had to dump 30lbs or so before leaving (moonsized, and we still had too much stuff. next time i am taking way less.

You have probably already sorted this out, since your post was so long ago, but I'll reply anyway...

You might post your question to the Aid Workers Network and see if any female aid workers would be willing to reply to you off-list. It's a problem women aid workers face but rarely talk about, for various reasons.

You are going to have a really hard time finding those injections in many places where you are traveling, so I would say you need to try a different form of birth control for the next two years. If you go with the Pill (or, really "a pill", since there are so many now), you are going to have to be careful of expired medications in many of the countries you are traveling to.

Also, when buying birth control abroad (condoms, spermacide, etc.), do it as **discreetly** as possible in developing countries and in conservative societies -- I cringe to say this, but if a male friend can buy it for you, all the better.

You might see where Marie Stopes is operating around the world. That's a nonprofit organization that is focused on women's reproductive health. They even have an office in Kabul. They will probably be able to help you in their field offices with purchasing birth control, even though you aren't among the women they are set up to serve -- just be clear that you are willing to pay (they don't always charge local women for services).

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Jayne Cravens (und Stefan Dietz-coyotetrips)
Jayne's info