Folding Bikes - Commuting one way by bike

I'm considering commuting by bike to and from work but the prospect of arriving sweaty (and smelly) at work is unappealing. So I'm thinking maybe i'll just use the bike on the way home. And this seems a perfect usage for a compact folder: you take the bike with you on public transportation in the morning and then ride it home at night. I'm thinking a significant percentage of folder commuters must be doing exactly this, am i right?

I ride both ways. Then again, I don't work in an office environment either.

I ride both ways, arrive sweaty after 28km. I take a bird bath, ie wipe down with damp cloth to get rid of sweat. Helps to have short hair.

wear wool boxers and t shirt, wool ******* odor considerably

You'll get just as sweaty carrying a 20+ lb bike, plus your regular stuff, as you would by riding....

I used to ride to work and change my clothes when I get there. Worked pretty well, even on hot days.

Check in the Commuting forum on how to deal with this issue, I'm sure many bike commuters work in offices that don't have showers.

You'll get just as sweaty carrying a 20+ lb bike, plus your regular stuff, as you would by riding....


i'm planning on getting a bike that can be rolled while folded



I used to ride to work and change my clothes when I get there. Worked pretty well, even on hot days.


80-90 degree days too?



Check in the Commuting forum on how to deal with this issue, I'm sure many bike commuters work in offices that don't have showers.

will do.

+1 on the bird bath. Just make sure to stop sweating first. I also keep baby wipes at work. (Keeps the bike clean too!:p )

80-90 degree days too?
Yes. Summer in New Orleans, office work. No suit required, though.

It's usually cooler in the mornings, by the way.

You'll get just as sweaty carrying a 20+ lb bike, plus your regular stuff, as you would by riding....
Says the guy who thinks there's no point in trying to make folding bikes lighter... ;)


I'm considering commuting by bike to and from work but the prospect of arriving sweaty (and smelly) at work is unappealing. So I'm thinking maybe i'll just use the bike on the way home. And this seems a perfect usage for a compact folder: you take the bike with you on public transportation in the morning and then ride it home at night. I'm thinking a significant percentage of folder commuters must be doing exactly this, am i right?
How far would you have to walk with the bike and how far would you have to ride? Also, what kind of terrain (walking up steps, riding on smooth roads, etc)?

I have just recently started to commute by bike to work and back 7 miles each way. I dont arrive sweaty as I take it easy on my journey to work. I also change my clothes at work and have some deodorant handy.
I cycle in a t-shirt which doesnt make me sweaty. I really wouldnt fancy taking my bike on transport on the way to work as I think it would be more hassle.

How far would you have to walk with the bike and how far would you have to ride? Also, what kind of terrain (walking up steps, riding on smooth roads, etc)?

The terrain (flat city streets, less than 10 miles) doesn't really matter. I know I will sweat. I'm an excessive sweater.

But in the commuting forum, some people say they get by without showering.

I really wouldnt fancy taking my bike on transport on the way to work as I think it would be more hassle.

What bike do you have?

The terrain (flat city streets, less than 10 miles) doesn't really matter. I know I will sweat. I'm an excessive sweater.

But in the commuting forum, some people say they get by without showering.I don't shower. Some days I do training and ride the 28km very hard, and I arrive at work literally drenched.

At work, I first stretch while cooling down. A sports towel serves to wipe down the pouring sweat. By the time I'm done stretching, I am also cool and no longer sweating.

I then head for the bathroom and run hot water mixed with liquid soap in a basin. I rinse the towel and proceed to wipe myself down starting with my head, and doing everything except my privates. I don't have to wear knicks, I am lucky that I don't get chafing. The towel gets rinsed and wrung often in the process. Once done, I use some deodorant (very important) put on my day clothes and I'm ready to go. My cycling duds are hung out to dry for the ride home.

I discovered, about 6 months after I started doing this, that we DO have a shower at work! But by that time I had so thoroughly gotten used to my routine that I now prefer it for several reasons over a shower.

I use a folder for similar reasons -- I can leap on public transport if the weather takes a turn for the worse, etc. I wear a wicking T-shirt and cycling shorts to cycle to/from work, and keep trousers and clean shirts in the office to change into. Taking it easy on the ride in helps stop me from sweating too much, so I just wipe myself down with baby wipes and apply deodorant once I'm in the office. I don't have short hair, but the toilets do have handryers that double as a hair-dryer...

Skidurts

I have a Dahon Speed D7 2006 model. Its a great bike. I fold it up when I get home but leave is unfolded locked up at work. I wasnt a fit person and I have only started to commute by bike last monday so im very new at it. I only got a fold up cause there is no room in my flat for a full size bike
the Dahon is not the most light or compact folding bike. Hence why I said I wouldnt really fancy carrying it on public transport

I'm considering commuting by bike to and from work but the prospect of arriving sweaty (and smelly) at work is unappealing. So I'm thinking maybe i'll just use the bike on the way home. And this seems a perfect usage for a compact folder: you take the bike with you on public transportation in the morning and then ride it home at night. I'm thinking a significant percentage of folder commuters must be doing exactly this, am i right?

Hi Skidurks,

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