Nobody seems to discuss allergies on any of the off road websites, so I will give 'er a go.

I am an older American that has had "hay fever" since I was 30 years old. Before that I swam in any water, rode buggies and dirt bikes in any woods any time of year.

After living "upwind" from chemical plants that made everything from gasoline to lawn chemicals and eating and drinking anything that was sold in "supermarkets", I also now have "allergies". So does a large segment of our population. Is there a relationship between our chemical society and allergies? Hard to prove, if not impossible. Fortunately chemicals have helped mankind more than harmed him, so mutate away!

Back on topic...there is a time-proven set of "rules" that I follow for woods riding during "hay fever" season. If I am riding Friday night and the weekend, I start taking anti-histamine (allergy medicine) on Thursday. It often takes 24 hours to get best relief and this is a head start. Any medicine that you take after you arrive in the woods is supplimental.

I also know that my sinuses will cause pain, so I do what scuba divers do before diving and I "flex" my sinus tissues. I know that this sounds retarded, but it often works. Sinus tissue is very delicate and cannot tolerate sudden fluctuations and can become traumatized. Simply pinch off your nose and close your lips tightly and blow out as if blowing your nose. Cycle this blowing out causes the sinus tissues to flex in a controlled fashion, making them more tolerant to inflamation and stress.

I still get itchy eyes and this seems to be the only part of woods riding that will always be unavoidable, especially this season.

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a.k.a."PittsburghJim" on www.dune-buggy.com

So it is true,you can get allergys at any age.I do alot wood work,which i deal with alot of cedar or redwood some call it and the saw dust tends to get to me after awhile and makes my eyes start itching and watery,but that is the only time i get any symptons.Is this allergys or just the wood getting to me.