OK, this may be a somewhat sensitive subject for many, but it does need to be addressed, just in case. So I'll try to be as lighthearted as possible.
Dig a hole and bury it! I hear some of you say. But this, is often not an option in many places, especially managed campsites, even though they may be advertised as wild. Many people use these campsites throughout the year, so several hundred holes containing human waste, is hardly practical or hygienic. Where this practice is permitted, make sure the spot you choose, is well away from water courses (ideally, at least 100 metres, and no less than 60 metres), and human habitation, including campsites.
Some campsites we'll be using, like the ones mentioned above, are basic, and verging on wild camping. By basic, I mean no toilets and no showers. No showers are fine for a day or two, but no toilets could be a problem, especially for, errm, essential bowel movements, or poo! Some of these sites have disposal facilities for chemical toilets, but try carrying one of those on a bike!
There is a product called "Bog in a Bag" (as seen on Dragons' Den), which consists of a folding, three legged stool, with a removable section, to reveal an opening for a bag with an absorbent pad - you do your business in the bag. This, whilst a seemingly good idea, has a problem with its size. At 65 cm long when folded, it's still not that practical for carrying on a bike.
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| Bog in a Bag |
There are similar products available, such as those manufactured by TravelJohn.
Is there another solution? Well, yes!
It's pretty basic, but this solution has been used by many, including Special Forces, for quite a few years. The trusty old bin bag! If you're prepared to squat, whilst doing the necessary, then, no problem.
As stated before, the "Bog in a Bag" disposable bags, contain an absorbent pad for bodily fluids. There's no such pad in a bin bag. But, there is a solution to this too.
When space is very much at a premium, you could use absorbent continence pads, or even puppy pads. A bin bag (ideally bio-degradable), with a continence pad or puppy pad, will work in exactly the same way as a "Bog in a Bag" disposable bag. They take up significantly less space, as well as saving you oodles of cash!
Poo disposal...
Yes, this could be a problem. What to do with your bag of poo, when you've finished? I'm not suggesting you adopt the Special Forces routine of carrying everything with you, including bodily waste, until you reach a safe haven. But, disposing of a bag of poo, can be an issue, for some.
You can, if it's just one bag, probably get away with disposing it in a general/household waste bin - no-one is really going to notice - hopefully. Such an action however, is entirely within the law - but we know what some interfering busy-bodies can be like! Soiled disposable nappies/diapers and sanitary towels, are often disposed of this way. Unfortunately, it all goes to landfill.
DEFRA's guidance on Healthcare waste gives the following advice:
"If the waste is non-hazardous, and as long as it is appropriately bagged and sealed, it is acceptable for the waste to be disposed of with household waste. This is usually the case with sanitary towels, nappies and incontinence pads (known collectively as sanpro waste) which are not considered to be hazardous when they originate from a healthy population."
You could, if they're available, dispose of the bag in a doggy poo bin - or carry it, until you find one. After all, there's not that much difference between doggy poo and human poo, although the bins are often marked "Dog Waste Only" - but, unless someone is a poo expert, or scatologist, as in the likes of BBC nature presenter Chris Packham, and goes "rummaging"!!! - who is going to know?
The down side to this, is that most dog poo also goes to landfill. It won't start to rot down properly, until the plastic bag has decomposed - hence the need for bio-degradable bags. And, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't actually recommend using a dog waste bin.
Flush and chuck* (maybe I should trademark this!)
Alternatively, you may choose to be super hygienic, and empty the contents of the bag, down a loo, when you find one, and "flush" it away. In this case, DON'T use continence pads or puppy pads to absorb liquids, they'll block the system! Then you can dispose of, or "chuck", the empty bag, in any available bin.
In conclusion...
If you're worried about being "caught short" whilst on the trail, carry some bin bags and continence pads. Dispose of them responsibly, and remember, in the UK, you can lawfully use standard household refuse bins. How you dispose of the bags of poo, is down to you and your conscience. This is, however, one occasion where you can safely use baby wipes for personal hygiene, without the fear of blocking the loo, or indeed the whole sewage system! Unless of course, you choose the "flush and chuck*" method, in which case, stick to standard toilet paper.
"Yuk!" Some may say...
If none of this appeals, and I can understand why it might not, then I guess you'd need to plan your route accordingly. Making sure, the necessary facilities are on hand, whenever you need them.
Happy biking!
Additional information and links
I've set up a JustGiving page, initially to help fund the ride, as we need some equipment to help us along the way https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/martyn-feather
The JustGiving pages for the dementia charities can be found at:
Alzheimer's Society page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-as or text ASDP84 £2 to 70070 (if you wish to donate more just enter a different figure after the £ sign - e.g. £5)
Dementia UK page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martyn-feather-duk or text BIJJ81 £2 to 70070 (if you wish to donate more just enter a different figure after the £ sign - e.g. £5)
@inmemoryofmymum can be found on both Facebook and Twitter, so you can follow the ride there too. You can also find me on Facebook - Martyn Feather (Skippy), and Twitter - @ZkidooKreativ
* The text of this blog is the intellectual property of Martyn Feather, including the term "flush and chuck". © Martyn Feather 2017
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