Insect swarms make riversides and Ada a misery

Pest control contractors spray insecticide at the Serbia Open

I decided to kick off my Summer cycling regime today, thinking that the perfect weather signalled an auspicious start to the season.

My instinct for good omens clearly needs work.

Firstly the compressor at Marconi bike shop was broken, and there was long queue for the hand pump, so I had to endure soft tires for the start of my cycle.

Not 50m later, I hit the hordes trying to get into the Serbian Open, which is being held down at 25th May.

The cycle track is now the queuing area, with the rest of the traffic – pedestrian, bladders and cyclists – being squeezed at some points to a 1.5 meter wide path next to the river. This did not stop an enterprising ice cream seller to set up his fridge at this very spot, effectively blocking the path and allowing only one person at a time to pass in either direction.

After getting free of the mobs, I was able to get up some speed, but I started to notice…the bugs.

During late the summer the mosquito and midges situation down at the rivers and Ada can get pretty bad. Prolonged heatwaves lead to more stagnant water and the insecticides sprayed in spring start wear off.

But I have never seen such massive infestation as that I witnessed today. At Ada, it was like a scene from The Swarm. People were waving their jackets and jumpers in the air in an effort to keep the midges and mosquitoes away from their exposed faces, nostrils and mouths.

My white cycling shirt was blackened by the impact of hundreds of bugs. I had to keep my sunglasses on in the near gloom of twilight to protect my eyes from the blighters. And despite my best efforts, I swallowed at least three flying creatures.

Apparently the government insect spraying team needs several days without rain for the spraying to be effective. They have not had a break so far this year. This combined with very low water levels of the Sava and Danube are leading to freakishly high numbers of mosquitoes and midges.

If you are taking a riverside walk, or heading to Ada, then make sure you cover up, wear insect repellent and use a Swine flu mask to prevent yourself aspirating some of these little swines.

In addition to the nastiness of the bugs, someone has removed section of the tiled surface of the cycling/walking path (see below), leaving dozens of lethal potholes. Thanks to cycling with my sunglasses on after the sun had gone down (to protect against bugs), I nearly killed myself by hitting of of these potholes, not once, but twice. Be very careful on that track until those holes have been patched.