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How do walking groups usually manage toilet breaks on day walks?

128 replies

Coldnorthwind · 05/08/2026 09:31

Recently made redundant. There are a few women's walking groups near me and I would love to go out on a day walk. (I wouldn't want go out walking in the countryside alone which is a whole other topic). But what do people do about needing a wee? Is it fine in those groups to dodge behind a tree? I would do this if out with my dh/friends. Writing it down now it seems silly.. this must be what everyone does, I guess?

OP posts:
Coldnorthwind · 05/08/2026 21:54

Flowerheads · 05/08/2026 21:42

And yet the chances are almost zero. Think of someone looking for a victim, how far he’d have to travel, how long he’d have to wait about for someone to possibly cross his path.

I suppose it's more an opportunist with bad intentions I fear rather than a roaming psychopath. And yes v unlikely - but it certainly has happened. And the fear of it happening is enough to make it not enjoyable for me - sad but true.

OP posts:
15minutesaday · 05/08/2026 22:28

Coldnorthwind · 05/08/2026 21:05

I am afraid of meeting random men with dangerous intentions @15minutesaday . I know it's incredibly unlikely but it really would impede my enjoyment. It's so infuriating how fear of men defines and limits my actions. I am not really fearful in cities - although I am pretty streetwise about where I go - but wilderness or even just countryside areas bother me.

Oh that's interesting. I'm the opposite - more fearful in built up/urban areas.

As someone once said to me, the countryside is where they bury the bodies (not commit the crime).

Can't imagine too many murderers and rapists wandering the lonely hills on the off chance of finding a victim - far easier pickings for far less effort in towns and cities.

Reportingfromwherever · 05/08/2026 22:48

Miyagi99 · 05/08/2026 16:30

Yeah, I just think you don’t really need to go when you’re exercising.

Actually the opposite is true as exercise stimulates the bowel. Runners’ Facebook groups are full of posts about the need to go while on a long run/how to deal with it/accidents etc.

Interested in this thread?

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PaperPanama · 05/08/2026 23:01

Seriously ladies, get a Pstyle.

NeatPinkFinch · 05/08/2026 23:17

KookyFish · 05/08/2026 18:42

To the people who have poos outside and leave it there can I just say 3 times my dog has found human shit and completely covered himself in it.

Can you imagine what that's like? Thick, claggy human shit coated all over him, you can't touch him without getting it all over you, he needs to go back in the car absolutely stinking even when he's been cleaned off with towels.

So thank you, I hope Karma catches up with you one day. Shit in a bag for God sake, scruffy bastards.

This is ridiculous. Dog poo is everywhere! Even when it’s picked up it’s still all over the pavement! Getting it on pushchair wheels and then having to clean them before putting it back into the car is no fun either!

Dragonflyspeeding · 05/08/2026 23:46

I have bagged my poo, the embarrassment of carrying it with me was awful though esp as I didn't have my dog with me! I felt every single person knew exactly what was in that bag which is a bit silly as I regularly use dog poo bags to carry banana skins and other rubbish until I find a bin.

As a dog owner who has a dog who is never allowed off lead yet has often rolled in other dog's poos, I don't have much sympathy for dogs who roll in human poo.
Keep dogs on leads at all times will solve everyone's problems.

Dragonflyspeeding · 05/08/2026 23:56

PaperPanama · 05/08/2026 23:01

Seriously ladies, get a Pstyle.

I've never heard of this until now.
How does it work? You hold the cup part with your handand pee streams away from you? But then it says dry with bottom of the cup? Does this mean wipe yourself with the underside of the cup? And then handle it while its wet on both sides?

MagpiePi · 06/08/2026 06:52

Reportingfromwherever · 05/08/2026 22:48

Actually the opposite is true as exercise stimulates the bowel. Runners’ Facebook groups are full of posts about the need to go while on a long run/how to deal with it/accidents etc.

I can confirm this and with me there is no chance of hanging on until I get home or to a toilet. I either stop and squat or fill my pants.

Yetone · 06/08/2026 07:14

PaperPanama · 05/08/2026 23:01

Seriously ladies, get a Pstyle.

I did buy a shewee years ago which works in a similar way. The problem is, although for the first wee on the walk the device is fine, I have no way of washing it so put it in a plastic bag. If I need to use it for another wee on the walk then this would mean inserting a dirty device next to me in an intimate area. I sometimes do some very long walks so yes more than 1 wee might be needed.

Miyagi99 · 06/08/2026 07:19

Reportingfromwherever · 05/08/2026 22:48

Actually the opposite is true as exercise stimulates the bowel. Runners’ Facebook groups are full of posts about the need to go while on a long run/how to deal with it/accidents etc.

I meant for us that feel no need to poo while out walking or at the gym, swimming and so on. I often think I’m going to shit myself while running on the other hand but that’s because it gives me diarrhoea!

Silverbirchleaf · 06/08/2026 07:58

@15minutesaday

”As someone once said to me, the countryside is where they bury the bodies (not commit the crime).”

It probably shouldn’t, but that made me giggle, and reminded me of another thread whereby the poster asked for reasons not to get a dog, to dissuade her from getting one. The reply post simply said that the bodies are always discovered by Dogwalkers.

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 06/08/2026 10:54

Behind a wall or a bush or a tree is the norm, usually with a friendly lookout in my family in case of the arrival of a stranger.

But if you pace your drinking slowly, you'll find you sweat out most fluid and need to pee less.

PaperPanama · 06/08/2026 11:25

Yetone · 06/08/2026 07:14

I did buy a shewee years ago which works in a similar way. The problem is, although for the first wee on the walk the device is fine, I have no way of washing it so put it in a plastic bag. If I need to use it for another wee on the walk then this would mean inserting a dirty device next to me in an intimate area. I sometimes do some very long walks so yes more than 1 wee might be needed.

Baby wipes.

Fluffanddust · 06/08/2026 11:46

6namechange3 · 05/08/2026 17:16

I also think what would I do if I saw a man or or woman weeing discreetly a good distance from a path if there was inadequate tree or wall cover. I would simply walk on and look the other way. When I am with a female friend we often have a companionable wee and chat, aka the nightclub toilet scenario of many years ago

This made me smile as I’d never thought about it like that but it’s so true! My friend has a week bladder so our walks and cycles are always punctuated by a wild wee behind a rock or bush whilst I hold the bikes. Our conversations just carry on over the said bush.

clearlyy · 06/08/2026 11:50

I’ve just started hiking, think 20km a day on the trail. I have only had to have a wee in a farmers field once, and that’s because there was no toilet at the start of the trail. If you gotta go you gotta go. I always make sure I have toilet roll/tissues and a bag for rubbish and toilet roll.

Bjorkdidit · 06/08/2026 14:00

Silverbirchleaf · 06/08/2026 07:58

@15minutesaday

”As someone once said to me, the countryside is where they bury the bodies (not commit the crime).”

It probably shouldn’t, but that made me giggle, and reminded me of another thread whereby the poster asked for reasons not to get a dog, to dissuade her from getting one. The reply post simply said that the bodies are always discovered by Dogwalkers.

Ah, but for a 'bad man' a dog is the perfect cover. I walk alone because I prefer it and always have a moment of concern if I see a lone man.

If he has a dog he's a safe dog walker. If not, he's a terrifying serial killer Grin

Silverbirchleaf · 06/08/2026 14:12

Bjorkdidit · 06/08/2026 14:00

Ah, but for a 'bad man' a dog is the perfect cover. I walk alone because I prefer it and always have a moment of concern if I see a lone man.

If he has a dog he's a safe dog walker. If not, he's a terrifying serial killer Grin

Don’t give serial killers ideas!

Flowerheads · 06/08/2026 14:26

Bjorkdidit · 06/08/2026 14:00

Ah, but for a 'bad man' a dog is the perfect cover. I walk alone because I prefer it and always have a moment of concern if I see a lone man.

If he has a dog he's a safe dog walker. If not, he's a terrifying serial killer Grin

That’s a plot point in one of PD James’ novels — the serial killer approaches women at rural bus stops and hitchhikers at night, dressed as a woman, but also, crucially, with a cute little dog, giving the impression of harmlessness.

HappenstanceMarmite · 06/08/2026 15:49

Miyagi99 · 05/08/2026 16:30

Yeah, I just think you don’t really need to go when you’re exercising.

Tell that to runners! 😆

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 06/08/2026 15:56

HappenstanceMarmite · 06/08/2026 15:49

Tell that to runners! 😆

Well, I used to run and never had that issue.

Actually, an early morning walk and a coffee might get me going, but a long hike or a run, never.

I didn't poo in labour either. Anally retentive, clearly!

caringcarer · 06/08/2026 20:28

Get a shewee to avoid weeing on your knickers.

PaperPanama · 06/08/2026 20:38

Dragonflyspeeding · 05/08/2026 23:56

I've never heard of this until now.
How does it work? You hold the cup part with your handand pee streams away from you? But then it says dry with bottom of the cup? Does this mean wipe yourself with the underside of the cup? And then handle it while its wet on both sides?

Edited

You tuck it in and hold the nozzle part, not the cup part. When you’ve finished you pull it forward while pressing up, and it sort of spatulas the last dregs off you. I then give it a shake and either wipe it with a baby wipe or rinse it with some of my drinking water, and put it back in the ziplock bag. If I use a baby wipe, that also goes in the same ziplock bag. When we get home, or wherever we are staying, we wash our Pstyles with shower gel or washing up liquid and leave them to air dry. If unused, they just stay in their bags.

Dragonflyspeeding · 06/08/2026 21:06

PaperPanama

Thank you. I’d probably spill it all over me.

helpfulperson · 06/08/2026 21:16

https://amzn.eu/d/0ceVbMdn for wiping I use these which are great. I used to gave a shewee but didn't like it however I like the look of the pstyle and will give that a go.

Amazon

Amazon

https://amzn.eu/d/0ceVbMdn?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum--chat-5562924-how-do-walking-groups-usually-manage-toilet-breaks-on-day-walks

PaperPanama · 06/08/2026 21:54

Dragonflyspeeding · 06/08/2026 21:06

PaperPanama

Thank you. I’d probably spill it all over me.

Practice in the shower first.

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