Commuting - First/Last Commute to work today

I soo wanted this to work out so I could hang in the commuter forum and talk about my daily commutes, but it's just not happening. Were there a shower at work, it'd be fine, but there isn't.

I live in Los Angeles and it's apparently a little too hot for a 13 mile bike ride in the morning. The ride started out great though, I live in West LA, right next to Santa Monica, and the ride through Santa Monica, Venice, and Marina Del Ray was fine. Around Playa Del Ray (the beach) the sun started beating down on me. I figured I'd let the wind cool me off but to my surprise, you can't get off the beach onto the road I work on, you have to go about a half mile past it and then circle around, really about 2 extra miles in the hot hot sun. Apparently the roads around here are really, really hilly near my office, and again under the crazy sunlight it's just not a good idea. I came into work, still sweating like crazy, and quickly left to go sit outside in the shade until the body temp went down.

Like I said, if there was a shower at work, I'd totally be into this, but the fact that I have to sit in this dried sweat all day is kinda nasty. I'll still use my bike to commute around town, especially on the weekends, so I guess I'm a part time commuter, but I really wanted this to work out. I'm sure I'll give it another try come late fall or winter. Feel free to call me a wuss! :)

youre not a wuss you just need to get a better job

youre not a wuss you just need to get a better job

Or a case of baby wipes. :D

I bicycle commute in LA, without a shower at work, as I'm sure do quite a few people here.

1.) Avon sells these deoderant wipes that are worth their weight in gold.

2.) if there's a gym near your work, you can get a membership and use their showers if you want.

3.) I bring a plastic bag and a change of underclothing. As soon as I get in, I grab a stall, do a wipedown with the deoderant wipes, change my shirt, socks and drawers, and the dirty ones get stowed. Good as new, reletively speaking. splash some water on your face in the sink, and it's unnoticable to anyone but you.

Hope that helps.

In the end, provided the commute is something you're physically capable of, whether you do or do not do it is simply a question of whether or not you want to enough.

-- James

Thanks for the feedback.. I want to bike to work really badly, the only issue is the sweating afterwards. I'm doing this so I don't have to join a gym (budget is tight for the next couple months). I'm in sales and if someone schedules a same day meeting at the last second, I want to be actually clean, not just wiped down :) My goal is to work from home in the next year or so, so that will make my morning commute distance a little more flexible.

seriously though if you shower right before you leave, give yourself 10 minutes of cool down time when you get there, and pack a change of clothes with you, you should be fine.

but if you're still not comfortable with it, dont beat yourself up. you gave it a shot. dont give up but dont beat yourself up either.

If your work is air conditioned try to get to work early, like 20 to 30 minutes. And use that time to cool down and prep get ready as suggested above. I sweat a lot on my way to work but I give myself plenty of time to cool off before I start working for that reason.

Ditto to the showering right before you leave. I ride some tough hills in my khaki and polo shirt attire and even though I get sweaty I'm not odorous due to my recent sanitation.

I respect that you gave it a shot, and understand that especially when working in sales, being and feeling clean can be pretty important.

I'll second the suggestions regarding giving yourself some cool-down time once you get to work. I keep a small fan on my desk and let that blow on me for about 10-15 minutes before I wipe myself down with a washcloth in the bathroom. Afterwards, I feel pretty refreshed and dry.

At any rate, I encourage you to keep an eye on the morning temps and give it a try again when the weather cools down some more.

Scott

Do you get any cooler temperatures there other times of the year?

Here in Detroit I do a 25 mile round trip pretty much daily and I don't shower when I get in. I'll skip the ride for heat when the morning dewpoint is over 68F or the temperature is over 75F or both. Otherwise I find I can control the sweat.

Another trick is to take it easy in the morning and ride a nice 16-18 mph clip. Takes me ~50 minutes to get to work. Then I ride home as fast as I can, usually 40 minutes and sweating like crazy.

the ride through Santa Monica, Venice, and Marina Del Ray was fine. Around Playa Del Ray (the beach) the sun started beating down on me.
Living in upstate NY, it is soooooo hard to have sympathy for someone who had that ride this morning. :p Good luck in the fall.

Would riding in earlier be a possibility, to avoid the heat?

I would try the wipes thing and give it another shot if I were you. Heck my first week of commutes was a disaster. Fortunately I am stubborn as all heck.
Anyhow, I wipe down after arriving drenched in sweat. No problems with my picky coworkers.

Good luck. At least you gave it a shot. That is far more then 99% of the population would have.

Let me be frank (you can be anyone you want). I'm gonna do the unpopular thing and call you a wussy. You complained about how hard it was, how hot it was, the sun, the hills, yada, yada, then you say you'd be down with it if you only had a shower. I say bull. You can clean up in a sink just as well as you can in a shower (I do all the time). If you think the ride is too hard or the heat is too much for you...great, just admit it, don't try to find other excuses.

My best advice...start riding more recreationally and get yourself in a little better shape...then tackle your commute again, if you choose to, when you can do the distance in the same conditions. Hang out here, and you'll learn some tips to make the ride and the logistics easier. You ain't gotta be a commuter to hang out with us. ;)

32 miles each way. Been in the 90's lately. I get to work SOAKED. I get in about 30min early. First I strip down as much as I can (small office so people are cool, but still I don't want to get caught nekkid) and then I go stand in front of the ac unit in the server room.

Then I hit the bathroom and use a combination of standard soap in the sink washing and some mint scented alcohol. I have been tempted to try some Rocket shower but it is a bit pricey.

Then change and I am fresh as a daisy.

Now the commute home is a different story. By the time I get home I STINK!

-D

Bring a change of clothes and a face cloth with some soap. Fill up a sink and have a bird bath!

And as for it being hard, yeah it can be, but after a few days/weeks it will get easier. Maybe just ride around your neighborhood for a few weeks to build up your strength.

Then I hit the bathroom and use a combination of standard soap in the sink washing and some mint scented alcohol.
-D

You bathe in Goldschlager? You RULE!!! That sounds a lot more fun than my shower at work.

Wuss! L.A. is dry heat. It's been mid to high 90s here with high humidity the last few days. I ride 13 miles to work with constant hills, some with really steep inclines. I also work nights so I'm leaving my home at 1:30pm which is almost the hottest part of the day. I get pretty sweaty after I arrive to work but it's not that bad. I'm not in "great" shape either. I just take it as easy as possible on the way to work. It especially helps that my last few miles into work are relatively flat so I coast slow as hell those last few to let my body recover while I'm still on the bike with the wind wicking the sweat off me.

Try mapmyride.com and see if you can arrange your commute so the last few miles is your easiest. I had to try a few different routes till I found the right one(that doesn't end with hills).

I do the bird bath thing. I also take my water bottle into the bathroom and dump water over my head a few times. That takes care of head sweat and helmet hair. I do shower before the ride in so the sweat I'm wiping off is "clean" sweat. I don't do the baby wipe tihng. Just a wet wash cloth or paper towels out of the dispenser. Deodorize and I"m good as ...well... as good as can be given the conditions.

Get a really short buzz cut. No helmet head, less heat retention. Easier to towel/sink clean.

Here's the dealio, bro.
Me: 43 miles one way in the south with 2800' of climbing and a backpack no less. And I'm a sweating fool - especially when the humidity is 100,000% like it usually feels.

We only have sinks at work so I improvise.
1. I shave everything from head to toe (uh, minus the eyebrows and lashes). Hair harbors odors and bacteria.
2. I use baby wipes and wash with Axe shower gel in the sink before anyone gets here. Then I wipe down again and deo up and spray on a tiny bit of Axe body spray. (Chicks don't swarm me, though.)
3. I make dang sure my clothes are nice and smelling fresh as well. Clean fresh clothes assures you that you ain't slamming your co-workers with a double wammy. :)


Like my brother says:
"You gotta want it."


edit: And I also shower real good before I head out the door. I leave @ 4:45am.

The ride itself was fine, I could have biked for the rest of the day straight. When you sit face to face with someone you want to sign a million dollar deal.. eh, you want to be pretty confident you don't stink. Maybe baby wipes work for you, but for me, both physically and psychologically, i'd rather be on my best foot.

Well then it sounds like you have a confidence problem, not a cycling problem....or do you think you are the only one in BF who deals with people at a high level - in which case you have a delusional problem too.

Soap, water, deodorant...what a concept.

^^Yeah, if you exude enough confidence it should overpower the stink of physical activity.

Mistakes as I see em:

#1 you wore your work cloths to ride in. This is a big no-no for longer commutes or commutes where it's inevitable you are going to sweat. Try leaving fresh cloths at work along with a washcloth, small towel, deodorant, and any other stuff you use. I use hair foam stuff and a comb. It's no big deal for me to spend a few extra $ having duplicate bathroom supplies that I have at home also in my desk at work.

#2 you pushed too hard at the end of your ride. Definitely check out the other routes... and also remember hey you're on a bike... you don't have to stick to roads and bike paths... maybe there's a better way to work. Also you pushed too hard on the ride.

#3 you didn't leave yourself enough time to cool down and so on.

....

This doens't have to be your first & last shot for commuting. And hey I failed my first commute completely. I left too late (enough time to get to work though) and hit this one road that I had to go down that was so busy with traffic and no extra space to ride beside the lane to even get going enough to join traffic. It sucked. I thought I could never try it again... but I'm going to give it another shot.. leave an hour earlier.. and just get to work earlier while hopefully missing most of the morning rush.

So, IMO... get better prepared and give it another try. You automaticly aren't a wuss in my book... hey you atleast made it to work your first try. I made it half way.. turned back and rode home with enough time to shower and get to work by driving in per usual.

what about a gym near your office? if you talk w/ the manager he might let you shower there for free or a reduced rate.

Yeah, I don't ride with work clothes on. I wear my team kit. Then I change into clothes I have there.

The ride itself was fine, I could have biked for the rest of the day straight. When you sit face to face with someone you want to sign a million dollar deal.. eh, you want to be pretty confident you don't stink. Maybe baby wipes work for you, but for me, both physically and psychologically, i'd rather be on my best foot.


Your nose doesn't work?

Why did you even try? It doesn't sound like you even wanted to give it a chance.

Sales people .....:rolleyes:

To add one more comment to this thread... though I currently don't commute (I will be giving it another shot probably on monday)... I do run regularly during my lunch hour at work. I bring a change of cloths for that and have all my bases covered for freshening back up afterwards.

I'm running in the heat of the day here in the deep south.

I think a lot of people could benefit from just getting out in the heat and running or biking and getting used to it. I was out yesteray at a big outdoor shopping center... parked in front of but way out in the lot by target... then walked to target and looked around... walked to the other end of the shopping center to best buy... then back to the opposite end (passing target on the way) to GameStop.. then back to my car. I didn't sweat at all and it was SUPER humid out and the sun was BLAZING.

Conditioning will help a lot.

I'm also a big fan of the showering in the morning. Use some soap/body-wash, a rag/lufa... and scrub your whole body.

It's been quite a long time now since I have been really stinky. The only time that seems to happen is on the weekend if I get up and don't shower then go outside and mow the grass or something.

You bathe in Goldschlager? You RULE!!! That sounds a lot more fun than my shower at work.

I'm feeling the need to steal that line for my sig... :D

To add one more comment to this thread... though I currently don't commute (I will be giving it another shot probably on monday)... I do run regularly during my lunch hour at work. I bring a change of cloths for that and have all my bases covered for freshening back up afterwards.

I'm running in the heat of the day here in the deep south.

I think a lot of people could benefit from just getting out in the heat and running or biking and getting used to it. I was out yesteray at a big outdoor shopping center... parked in front of but way out in the lot by target... then walked to target and looked around... walked to the other end of the shopping center to best buy... then back to the opposite end (passing target on the way) to GameStop.. then back to my car. I didn't sweat at all and it was SUPER humid out and the sun was BLAZING.

Conditioning will help a lot.

I'm also a big fan of the showering in the morning. Use some soap/body-wash, a rag/lufa... and scrub your whole body.

It's been quite a long time now since I have been really stinky. The only time that seems to happen is on the weekend if I get up and don't shower then go outside and mow the grass or something.

Hmm... I'm not excessively bothered by hot weather, but do sweat a lot. I've found that as I've become used to doing more exercise, I've begun to sweat more, not less. Am I doing something wrong?

Hmm... I'm not excessively bothered by hot weather, but do sweat a lot. I've found that as I've become used to doing more exercise, I've begun to sweat more, not less. Am I doing something wrong?

No, you're doing something right. Most people are chronicly dehydrated and don't even notice it. When you start taking care of your body you probably started drinking more water because you're more aware of your body. Consequently you're probably sweating more. You need to use the restroom more often as well? If so, it's most likely the same thing.

-- James

OP,

Why don't you try doing the ride on a weekend. Then try the cool off, wipe down and change out of your sweaty kit. If you can tell one whiff of difference between that and your drive in, then don't do it. But if you're honest, you probably wont. I do it every day man, without the ocean breaze. (I'm coming in from the SFV)

-- James

Hmm... I'm not excessively bothered by hot weather, but do sweat a lot. I've found that as I've become used to doing more exercise, I've begun to sweat more, not less. Am I doing something wrong?

I didn't say I didn't sweat... I said I didn't get stinky. Someone in good health that eats right and drinks a lot of water and washes themselves in the am isn't going to get too stinky from riding a bike to work or running during their lunch hour.

Again, I only mentioned stink. When I walked the outdoor shopping center yesterday... I walked. No running, no biking, just a nice decent pace walk in the hot sun.

You'll learn to take more heat the more you are exposed to it and the healthier you are.

For The Record... i drink 2.5 to 3 liters of water a day. Sometimes more ;)

___________


To the OP:

I just realized something you may not have...


You are closing million dollar deals but don't get paid enough to join a gym. Which is why you said you were bicycle commuting... the exercise.

That's pretty screwed up. You should get paid better.

Hmm... I'm not excessively bothered by hot weather, but do sweat a lot. I've found that as I've become used to doing more exercise, I've begun to sweat more, not less. Am I doing something wrong?

Do you drink a lot of sugary drinks( Coke, Gatorade etc)? If you do then that could be a culprit. Glucose stores it'self in your muscles using water, when you exercise your muscles use that glucose and release the water as sweat. If you are sweating more now than before it could be because you've fallen into drinking gatorade type drinks after every ride instead of drinking it during long rides where your body will use the glucose straightaway and not store it away. Water is your friend. :D

I bet you smell great :)

I look at a meeting like a first date. Except at the end of the date I want a lot of money. If you'd bike through 75 degree heat to get to a first date, and then towel off in the sink, that's you. I wouldn't.

I only use my car for getting to and from work. Outside of that it doesn't move, I take my bike everywhere.

You are closing million dollar deals but don't get paid enough to join a gym. Which is why you said you were bicycle commuting... the exercise.

That's pretty screwed up. You should get paid better.

well, he said money was tight. There can be any number of reasons for that, not necessarily related to pay. I get paid very well, but I've had to bail some friends out of financial straights reciently as well as deciding to get very agressive about paying down my debts, so moneys tight for me too.

But still, it's a question of priorities. If it's a priority for you, then you'll do it. if it's not then you won't. There's no shame either way, it's just that sometimes it's hard for me to understand what people want.

If I put forth reasons I can't do something, I'm really asking for someone to help me solve them. They're not intended as excuses, but as requests for help. If I get suggestions, I try them. If they work, I roll with it. If they don't, I ask again.

Sometimes people who don't want to do something feel some type of preasure to justify their not doing something. "I tried it today, I didn't like it. I'm not going to do it." would be my type of thing.

But different strokes for different folks. not a judgement call, just saying. it's ok either way.

-- James

I commute on the Florida gulf coast, in 80-95 degree heat and high humidity. I work in a dental office, so I can't afford to stink. No showers here. You need to stand around a while once you arrive so you can stop sweating, then wipe down. I wipe down with a towel, re-apply deodorant and body spray, then change into scrubs and underwear I keep at work. I don't stink at all----because exercise induced sweat doesn't stink, and wiping off gets rid of it anyway.

Sometimes people who don't want to do something feel some type of preasure to justify their not doing something. "I tried it today, I didn't like it. I'm not going to do it." would be my type of thing.

But different strokes for different folks. not a judgement call, just saying. it's ok either way.

-- James

Oh yeah it's ok either way. I think this thread though isn't looking for answers but just admitting defeat publicly for the attention of it all ;)

Anyone with some serious debts outside of the norm (just cc debts and so on) needs to take a hard financial look at their life... see where it's going and course correct. In this day and age everyone tries to live above their means though... heck I've built enough debt due to that as well but I'm on track to having everything paid off in the next 2 years and have no car payments.

And hey it is totally about priorities. After looking at some beach pics last year and seeing what 235pounds looked like on me... a guy who was thin nearly all his life until graduating college... I set my priorities. I, desptite debt & solely financially supporting my wife and three kids, joined up to a local gym. I paid for childcare and my wifes membership as well so she could go as well (she's thin, former aerobics instructor and placed in Miss Alabama but she stays thin even after our three kids by exercise)... anyway I made it a priority. I did all i could do at the gym to lose weight (lost 15 pounds) then learned about counting calories. I counted every dang calorie I put in my mount for a month to learn real portion control and how bad resaurant food & fast food is for the body... I gave up softdrinks, caffiene, and switched to just water... I learned to run, I got a new road bike and ride 30 miles ever week with a dude in the local bike club... and now.. since april second I lost another 25 pounds. That's 40 gone and 15 remain to hit 180 (which is a healthy weight for my height).

It's all about being strong, making the change, and sticking to it no matter what is thrown at you. If work is more important than your health... it'll catch up to you one day. It doesn't matter if you close big deals or save a company loads of money by inventing software to keep processes as automated as possible (like i do). In the end you get one life to live... when I die it won't be from neglecting exercise and my own health.

There are people that do change their own lives... and those that give something one shot then give up. If you only took one shot to sell a product or service to a client and you failed... what kind of business person would you be? Not a successful one that's for sure.

I just realized something you may not have...


You are closing million dollar deals but don't get paid enough to join a gym. Which is why you said you were bicycle commuting... the exercise.

That's pretty screwed up. You should get paid better.[/QUOTE]

No shiz I should get paid better :) The reason is I only recently started this job and first commission hits next month.. at which point, hell yeah I'll give it another try. I'll be back looking for the best biking rodes in El Segundo.. down this side Sepulveda isn't too bike friendly, but riding on non bike-friendly rodes is usually the most fun.

Oh yeah it's ok either way. I think this thread though isn't looking for answers but just admitting defeat publicly for the attention of it all ;)


Oh you. You seem smart :)

Reality is, I want to bike to work, I'm frustrated at the fact that I couldn't seem to make it work. I'll do it again when I can afford a membership to the gym down the road. Hopefully after a few weeks of regular commuting to and from work I'll have a more positive air about me than you seem to have. (Might want to think about increasing the mileage, just sayin')

Cheers to everyone on the different strokes for different folks comments though, it's so true.. some people just get angry when you don't like the same things they do. I don't get that. They'll probably whine about this post too :lol:

San Fernando Valley commute? Yeah I don't envy that one at all :)

Do you drink a lot of sugary drinks( Coke, Gatorade etc)? If you do then that could be a culprit. Glucose stores it'self in your muscles using water, when you exercise your muscles use that glucose and release the water as sweat. If you are sweating more now than before it could be because you've fallen into drinking gatorade type drinks after every ride instead of drinking it during long rides where your body will use the glucose straightaway and not store it away. Water is your friend. :D

Hmmm -- actually, I drink almost no sugary drinks. There's the very occasional Gatorade, but mostly water. Oh, and beer :beer: :D

beer *wakes up with a jolt* Did somebody say "beer"?! :beer:

I bet you smell great :)

I look at a meeting like a first date. Except at the end of the date I want a lot of money.

Some "dates" are like that too. :D

I'm feeling the need to steal that line for my sig... :D
I'd be willing to bet that stings in all the wrong places.

^^Yeah, if you exude enough confidence it should overpower the stink of physical activity.
Who do you think you're talking to? We ALL ride in every day, and many (most?) don't have showers. We deal with this every day and have discussed it countless times. It's not like chip is just imagining that it can be done...

I was soaked in sweat when I arrived at work today, haven't had a shower, or even wiped off - and I'll guarantee that I don't smell.

I bet you smell great :)

I look at a meeting like a first date. Except at the end of the date I want a lot of money. If you'd bike through 75 degree heat to get to a first date, and then towel off in the sink, that's you. I wouldn't.

I only use my car for getting to and from work. Outside of that it doesn't move, I take my bike everywhere.

Make all the excuses you like. I have no problem riding through 90+ degree weather for a first date...indeed, I met my then-future wife riding in 110 degree temps in Yuma. Shower before you go, wash off in the sink, apply deodorant, put on clean clothes and you are as fresh as a spring lily. Or do you feel that there is something about soap and water that changes between a sink and a shower?

Make all the excuses you like. I have no problem riding through 90+ degree weather for a first date...indeed, I met my then-future wife riding in 110 degree temps in Yuma. Shower before you go, wash off in the sink, apply deodorant, put on clean clothes and you are as fresh as a spring lily. Or do you feel that there is something about soap and water that changes between a sink and a shower?

You're right, meeting a girl on a bike ride is the same as biking to meet a girl at a restaurant for the first time. Thumbs up man!

Some "dates" are like that too. :D

You hang out in Vegas a lot, huh? :)

Make all the excuses you like. I have no problem riding through 90+ degree weather for a first date...indeed, I met my then-future wife riding in 110 degree temps in Yuma. Shower before you go, wash off in the sink, apply deodorant, put on clean clothes and you are as fresh as a spring lily. Or do you feel that there is something about soap and water that changes between a sink and a shower?

If you're washing your balls and ass crack at work, well let's just say you can be certain people at your office are talking.

If you're not washing your balls and ass crack at work.. well same thing.

Cheers to you for being an awesome bike commuter!!!!!!