Touring - Staying Clean When Touring

How does everyone keep them selves clean between motel and B&B stops. I'm sure many days go by before bike tourers see a shower, so I was wondering how most people keep clean between bath stops. I was thinking maybe carrying baby wipes to keep the private parts clean, but then again a large box of baby wipes can weigh about 2 or 3 pounds.

Do you know how much your private parts weigh?!

Leave THEM at home, I say.

A year or two after my kids had graduated from diapers, I found a forgotten box of wipes in a closet that had dried out completely. When I tour or backpack, I slip a handfull of the dried (and now lightweight) wipes into my kit along with a ziplock for rewetting with a few drops of water. Interestingly, the residual A&D ointment I found with the box of wipes comes along, too. So I guess having babies is conducive to touring?

Some established campgrounds have showers, which is one of the (many) reasons I like staying in campgrounds. Other than that, a cup of warm water and a washcloth and one drop of Dr. Bronners soap, and you're good enough. Streams and lakes are nice, too (no soap in the water).

Baby wipes are not very environmentally friendly, but they work pretty well. Buy the small travel-size package - like a 10-pack - and that's the end of that weight problem.

Yep, small baby wipe packages, concentrated soap in a pan of warm water, and a few dunks in the river should do you pretty well.

Yep, small baby wipe packages, concentrated soap in a pan of warm water, and a few dunks in the river should do you pretty well.
Yep, that is pretty much what we do too, but we don't worry too much about a little filth or stink either. If water is scarce, some times we are just pretty dirty for a few days. In those times a quick wipe with a baby wipe has to suffice.

The packages of wipes that we used were about 1/2" thick, not sure how many they held, but we shared a pack between three of us so we used them sparingly.

Wearing wool T-shirts and socks keeps down the smell, you can wear them for a few days without
washing them and they don't smell like synthetics. I'll use some water on a cloth to wash with a couple
of drops of shampoo. If I need to disinfect anything I use some of the alcohol from my stove. I use grain alcohol if I can get it as then I can use it as fuel, to wash and disinfect and also to make cocktails.

I use grain alcohol if I can get it as then I can use it as fuel, to wash and disinfect and also to make cocktails.

nun, I like your thinking. Pass the olives.

Amongst many other uses, a collapsible bucket is a great help to getting a good wash when you are wild camping.

How does everyone keep them selves clean between motel and B&B stops. I'm sure many days go by before bike tourers see a shower, so I was wondering how most people keep clean between bath stops. I was thinking maybe carrying baby wipes to keep the private parts clean, but then again a large box of baby wipes can weigh about 2 or 3 pounds.

One of the best things I have found is microfiber towels. They work better than baby wipes, which I have also tried, and they more effective and thorough, and faster.

Some of them are very light and unusually absorbent (they will hold many times their weight in water), and they are also unusually quick to absorb. They come in a variety of textures -- some are better than others, and different individuals have different preferences.

If you have more than one of them -- not just little squares, but at least one or two that are larger (maybe face-towel size) -- you can develop a system that allows you to sponge down your entire body with a little lather (more than a drop or two of soap is often better), and allows you do it swiftly; then rinse/remove with both sides of a clean and wet towel (and/or rinse off using a water bottle -- bicycle water bottles are great for this), and dry very quickly with another clean towel (size matters less for this stage, but it can be nice to have also). A towel that allows you to do your back quickly and well is good to have. You can cover a lot of ground very satisfyingly, quickly and thoroughly. If you organize it, it's possible to get the whole process down pat, and do it very efficiently.

Everything can fit inside a waist pack.

You might try various types of soaps. Some are better for this than others. Bronner's Peppermint is pretty good; there are others that are as good or better.

The towels can be rinsed out and dried easily. They are light, and they don't retain as much water and weight (after wringing or squeezing the water out) as most fabrics do; and they dry much faster.

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Another thing about these microfiber towels: some of them are designed to pick up small particles of dirt very efficiently. The design and the small fibers seem to do an especially good job at cleaning all kinds of things. Some of them work surprisingly well, especially when used with plenty of water. :)

If you try this technique with some sopping wet towels, it can be surprisingly efficient and effective.

It works so pleasantly and effectively that I don't even miss the shower rooms. In fact, I'm very glad to be free of the standard showers. This works just fine, and it can even be enjoyable. Organizing it well, and making it work well and efficiently has been great.

I don't worry too much about it. After about 5 days or so, I start to think that a shower might be nice, but prior to that point, it's not a big deal.

If I can get to a convenience store (or restaurant, or grocery store, or whatever) washroom, I'll have a "bath" in the sink using water and paper towels, and possibly the soap in the dispensers.

A lake, ocean, or stream is also useful ... I'll wade in (cycling clothes and all) and splash around for a while (no soap, of course). Sometimes, especially at ocean beaches, they have showers for people to wash off the sand, so I'll have a quick shower there (and I might use soap there).

As for cleaning things like dishes when water is scarce, I have scrubbed them out with sand and then given them a quick rinse whenever I got to a water source.

I've used quite a few of those beach showers too. Someone always seems to be around or to come around, to watch or shower next to you. This is occasionally all right, but often somewhat awkward. I'm glad to be set up to be able to do it independently of any facilities.

Jumping in (clean) rivers has been great -- very cooling and quick and refreshing, and often good for a bit of a swim at the same time.

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[It is worth being aware that some rivers (and reservoirs and other bodies of water) have a lot of sewage or sewage treatment plant effluents dumped into them. Sometimes it is (relatively) 'clean,' but it varies quite a bit. If you look at how many tons are dumped into some of them every day, and what scientists have found in the water, it is sometimes better to use cleaner waters for bathing.]

On the same subject I just bought one of those portable showers you hang in the sun to warm it up has anyone used one of these? I thought if I didn't use it for a shower I could always use it to carry water.

On the same subject I just bought one of those portable showers you hang in the sun to warm it up has anyone used one of these? I thought if I didn't use it for a shower I could always use it to carry water.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I have used those car-camping, and they are barely acceptable. Needs a good long time in strong sun to make the water warm. And it's not drinkable, at least the one I had - it's not meant for drinking water, the the plastic taste gets into the water, and I don't even know if it's safe. It makes the water stink a bit for washing, let alone drinking. Maybe yours is a different brand or newer material, and is nicer.

I think it's way more weight than it's worth for a bike trip. Pretty much, if it's sunny enough outside to warm the water up, you can easily take a cold sponge bath or wash off in a lake or stream.

I was thinking maybe carrying baby wipes to keep the private parts clean, but then again a large box of baby wipes can weigh about 2 or 3 pounds.

Baby wipes usually come in packs of 80 (big boxes usually have multiple 80-packs inside) but you can also get travel packs of 40-50 and sample/travel packs of 8-15. Also you can get moist towelettes in smaller packs but having recently discovered "real" baby wipes, I say accept no substitute - they are thick enough to actually have a decent all-over clean with 3 or so. I take 2 small packs and some antibacterial hand wipe. I usually go through one packet in a week.

I haven't gone on any remote or long tours, and I've always been able to use showers at sports fields (every country town in Victoria seems to have a footy oval with showers in the clubroom) or sometimes campgrounds/caravan parks. On bushwalks I never worried about it, but that was years ago when water still existed and we'd have a swim in a river every day or two.

Around here water can be a problem and it is considered polite to ask, and to keep showers brief.

I used the solar shower when camping while fruit picking. It served my purpose, but it does need plenty of exposure to sunshine prior to using. You just can't plonk it down on the ground after filling it with water, set up your camp, and expect it to be suitably warm when you want to wash. I left mine out all day in the sun while at work. And they cool down pretty rapidly when the sun disappears. You also have to be turning the hose on and off to conserve water while you lather. Plus, lifting 25kg of water up high enough is an interesting challenge -- it appears simple in theory, but you have to find the place to hang it first -- and there are due considerations for others who may be forced to watch you do your ablutions.

I agree with Cave on the baby wipes, but would also suggest that you can transfer the number you think you might need to a Ziploc bag. I do this when on shorter tours and randonneuring, and keep a stash in my handlebar bag for wiping off grease after a mechanical, and another in my pannier for "washing" body parts.

I concentrate on a clean-up of the groin, the butt, the pits, and with a fresh wipe, the face and neck especially if I have been using sunscreen.

You might also consider swimming pools, which can be handy for a pre-dip shower, a swim, and a shower afterwards. I think most pools now insist on people showering first to avoid a build-up of oily grime and other unwanted elements in the pool water.

I don't know how you all go in the US, but consider 24-hour truck stops. And I can't remember if the public loos on the interstate highways we travelled in the US had showers or not -- but a definite thumbs up to the incredible standard of those facilities which I think have been consistently the best designed and functioning and the cleanest I have seen on my travels.

Oh yeah, and in Australia, some towns are amazingly co-operative enough to provide free public showers in their toilet blocks. The ones I know about are segregated from the toilet facilities, and there may only be one. It's a good idea to take along flip-flops at least, and if you are really hygeine-conscious, a small bottle of bleach to squirt around the shower bay.

I don't worry too much about it. After about 5 days or so, I start to think that a shower might be nice, but prior to that point, it's not a big deal.

If I can get to a convenience store (or restaurant, or grocery store, or whatever) washroom, I'll have a "bath" in the sink using water and paper towels, and possibly the soap in the dispensers.

A lake, ocean, or stream is also useful ... I'll wade in (cycling clothes and all) and splash around for a while (no soap, of course). Sometimes, especially at ocean beaches, they have showers for people to wash off the sand, so I'll have a quick shower there (and I might use soap there).

As for cleaning things like dishes when water is scarce, I have scrubbed them out with sand and then given them a quick rinse whenever I got to a water source.

You are hardcore! I love it! Hey, we are riding bikes. We're supposed to sweat and stink! I have time for showers when I get back to my 9-5 life. I agree with you on lakes, oceans, or streams... but if possible... I 'm not going in with my cycling clothes on. I'll rinse them out for sure, but I'd rather take my bath and do my wash seperately, just so that I enjoy the bath more.

As far as water being scarce, those aren't really the places that I think I would enjoy touring.

Some established campgrounds have showers, which is one of the (many) reasons I like staying in campgrounds. Other than that, a cup of warm water and a washcloth and one drop of Dr. Bronners soap, and you're good enough. Streams and lakes are nice, too (no soap in the water).

Baby wipes are not very environmentally friendly, but they work pretty well. Buy the small travel-size package - like a 10-pack - and that's the end of that weight problem.

I agree on staying in campgrounds with showers if possible. My daughter turned me on to foaming cleansing cloths on our 2005 trip. Beats the heck out of bar soap and they really cut the grease and grime from riding all day. Safeway here in Denver carries a house brand but there are others. Here's one from Oil of Olay (http://www.olay.com/boutique/dailyfacials/products/df1004), for example. They even work in cold water...damned cold water:eek:...shrinkage cold water:eek::eek::eek::eek:

They weigh a lot less then pre-moistened ones.

I hate the wipies solution, just don't feel clean. I will take a water bottle out in the woods and use some camp soap and that works for me.

I hate the wipies solution, just don't feel clean. I will take a water bottle out in the woods and use some camp soap and that works for me.

Try the cleansing cloths. Better than wipes and they come with their own wash cloth.

I hate the wipies solution, just don't feel clean. I will take a water bottle out in the woods and use some camp soap and that works for me.

Try the cleansing cloths. Better than wipes and they come with their own wash cloth.

If you were cleaning a dirty surface -- something with a layer of oil and some dust and grime, and plenty of bacteria (which are always present on the skin but are especially numerous in the cycling situations being addressed here), along with a variety of compounds secreted by both the sweat glands and all the billions of microorganisms -- if you had all that on some other surface, say on the hood (/bonnet) of a car, or on the body of a horse after a day of hard riding, sweat and dust, wouldn't these wipes just sort of smear everything around? They would remove some portion of these things, but also leave a lot remaining behind.

The fragrances or perfumes may give some impression of freshness, but....

Would they really do a good job of true removal and cleansing?

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I've always felt that they are something of a half measure. Maybe some are better than others, and there may be a range of effectiveness, but they all seem to fall short of what is accomplished by a good, thorough lather and rinse.

I've lived around horses, and they are lathered up and rinsed off (at least that's what I've seen), and they come out shining.

If wipes were used, wouldn't hair remain to some degree oily or greasy?, and wouldn't some of the the road grime, grit, dust, etc. remain, to a large extent, on various parts of the body?

A water bottle and a shampoo would do a much better job (it seems at least), and the end result would be that good, squeaking fresh, dirt- and oil-free state.

Various other parts of the body and skin would also be cleaner, it seems to me, with some of the other approaches.

Do you know how much your private parts weigh?!

Leave THEM at home, I say.

:roflmao:

:beer:

How about forget keeping clean and try a new product that I have:

Bicycle Padded Depends
You Don't Even Have to Stop for that
"I gotta go feeling"

Have any of you ever heard of Dr. Bonner's Castile Soap? You can get it scented with Tea Tree or other things, but just the regular soap itself cleans great with little water and rinses easily - again with little water. The castile soap combined with new micro fiber towels is great. You can take a sponge bath with that combo just about anywhere.

Have any of you ever heard of Dr. Bonner's Castile Soap? You can get it scented with Tea Tree or other things, but just the regular soap itself cleans great with little water and rinses easily - again with little water. The castile soap combined with new micro fiber towels is great. You can take a sponge bath with that combo just about anywhere.

Yes, I've used it. Good stuff.

Unless you are really deep off the main roads in the desert in the US, you will always pass gas stores or fast food joints with restrooms and it's easy to clean yourself up there.

If you were cleaning a dirty surface -- something with a layer of oil and some dust and grime, and plenty of bacteria (which are always present on the skin but are especially numerous in the cycling situations being addressed here), along with a variety of compounds secreted by both the sweat glands and all the billions of microorganisms -- if you had all that on some other surface, say on the hood (/bonnet) of a car, or on the body of a horse after a day of hard riding, sweat and dust, wouldn't these wipes just sort of smear everything around? They would remove some portion of these things, but also leave a lot remaining behind.

The fragrances or perfumes may give some impression of freshness, but....

Would they really do a good job of true removal and cleansing?

*******
I've always felt that they are something of a half measure. Maybe some are better than others, and there may be a range of effectiveness, but they all seem to fall short of what is accomplished by a good, thorough lather and rinse.

I've lived around horses, and they are lathered up and rinsed off (at least that's what I've seen), and they come out shining.

If wipes were used, wouldn't hair remain to some degree oily or greasy?, and wouldn't some of the the road grime, grit, dust, etc. remain, to a large extent, on various parts of the body?

A water bottle and a shampoo would do a much better job (it seems at least), and the end result would be that good, squeaking fresh, dirt- and oil-free state.

Various other parts of the body and skin would also be cleaner, it seems to me, with some of the other approaches.

That's the thing about the cleansing cloths that make them better than wipes. They are soap on the cloth and they do lather...as much as a bar of soap or liquid soap will. Most of the ones I've used are made to either remove makeup from women's faces or clean the oil off of teenager's faces. Sunscreen, road grime, chain grease? Mere child's play compared to those;) And, since they are dry, you don't have to cart around a bunch of water like you would with wipes. However, if you've ever had to change a diaper, wipes do a damned fine job on bacteria. Boy am I glad those days are over;)

I still use shampoo although I can wait a couple of days if I have to.

Let's keep in mind too ... our ancestors survived just fine without daily showers. Even as recently as about 50 or 60 years ago (give or take a bit) people bathed on Saturdays (and only Saturdays, and in a tub of water shared by the entire family) so they'd be reasonably fresh and clean for Sunday. Back 30 or 40 years ago, people added a day or two in there in which to bathe. So you might bathe on Tuesday and Saturday, or Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Bathing (or showering) every day is only a recent thing.

But now, in North American society, if you admit to someone that you didn't have a shower that day, it's almost treated like a crime.

I currently live in a house where 6 women share 2 showers. There are days where I just skip it because I'm in a rush to get to class or whatever. No big deal.

If you were cleaning a dirty surface -- something with a layer of oil and some dust and grime, and plenty of bacteria (which are always present on the skin but are especially numerous in the cycling situations being addressed here), along with a variety of compounds secreted by both the sweat glands and all the billions of microorganisms -- if you had all that on some other surface, say on the hood (/bonnet) of a car, or on the body of a horse after a day of hard riding, sweat and dust, wouldn't these wipes just sort of smear everything around? They would remove some portion of these things, but also leave a lot remaining behind.

The fragrances or perfumes may give some impression of freshness, but....

Would they really do a good job of true removal and cleansing?

*******
I've always felt that they are something of a half measure. Maybe some are better than others, and there may be a range of effectiveness, but they all seem to fall short of what is accomplished by a good, thorough lather and rinse.

I've lived around horses, and they are lathered up and rinsed off (at least that's what I've seen), and they come out shining.

If wipes were used, wouldn't hair remain to some degree oily or greasy?, and wouldn't some of the the road grime, grit, dust, etc. remain, to a large extent, on various parts of the body?

A water bottle and a shampoo would do a much better job (it seems at least), and the end result would be that good, squeaking fresh, dirt- and oil-free state.

Various other parts of the body and skin would also be cleaner, it seems to me, with some of the other approaches.

I would say yes to all of that. I like wipies for washing my hands after working on the bike. But as for as actual trying to be clean. No way and the smell of most of those especially baby wipes makes me sick just thinking about it. One note camp soap is much better than shampoo. It rinses off easier and with less water and is better on the enviroment.

We must be lucky in Australia because the seletion of baby wipes includes non-scented varieties. And most of them have an antibacterial in them which in one wipe across a region remove the things that cause the BO.

I find, however, it is not so much the need to "feel" clean, but the need to remove a high concentration of salt from the areas that are prone to chafing -- around the groin takes priority. Then (with a new wipe) comes the armpits, but that more for odour prevention. Then, with another new wipe, my face and neck and hands. It's simple, fast and you can do it lying down in your tent. On long-distance rides, the groin gets most attention, regularly. Wool sock take care of the feet (as can wool take care of a lot of other areas as far as smell goes).

I am a little entertained by the idea that people want to opt for dry wipes instead of taking the wet ones. As if an extra 100 grams of water in a small packet of wipes is going to make a difference in a touring load. The small packet of wipes I create with a Ziploc bag would weigh... 5 grams?

The one issue that people haven't dealt with so much is how they go about the issues of hair cleanliness when between ablution blocks and bathrooms. I'm lucky in that my needs in that are reducing all the time, but the oils and sweat accumulation in a mass of hair can make the smell overpowering. Ever stood next to someone with old dreadlocks?

I think it's a problem mostly for people who are used to taking showers everyday and not on the bike or walking/hiking for ten hours of that day.

I imagine most people would be fine not showering if they didn't shower much in the first place. Kinda like people are fine not wearing shoes if they don't wear shoes.

I've also noticed on hot summers when working outside a lot or sweating most of the day if you're walking/cycling around most of it that eventually the perspiration stops smelling, but it is always salty, a quick rub with a damp cloth always works well and talcum powder can help the rest of the time.

I have a pretty cool hand shower device that is a small rubber shower head and a hose that can be slipped over a faucet or hose spigot. After a while you can get used to taking cold showers.

That's the thing about the cleansing cloths that make them better than wipes. They are soap on the cloth and they do lather...as much as a bar of soap or liquid soap will. Most of the ones I've used are made to either remove makeup from women's faces or clean the oil off of teenager's faces. Sunscreen, road grime, chain grease? Mere child's play compared to those;) And, since they are dry, you don't have to cart around a bunch of water like you would with wipes. However, if you've ever had to change a diaper, wipes do a damned fine job on bacteria. Boy am I glad those days are over;)

I still use shampoo although I can wait a couple of days if I have to.

Thanks. I'll experiment with the different ones with an open mind, and see how it goes. I can see how some of these might be convenient in certain situations.:)

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It still seems, though, that they would almost necessarily leave quite a residue behind, both in terms of what was already there on the surfaces being cleaned (skin and hair, and skin covered by hair) and in terms of residues from the soaps or chemicals in the wipes. I used to stay away from anything chemical that might be absorbed through the skin. Some people claim that the skin is a 'good barrier' -- and it is a good barrier in some ways. But many substances go right through it and into your system: into your blood stream, lymphatic fluid, nervous system and brain, lungs, kidneys, and muscles, and into other organs, tissues and systems.

Nicotine patches work this way, and a variety of drugs or medications. DMSO can be smelled on the breath within seconds of rubbing it on your legs or feet. What about the assorted chemicals, alcohols and whatever else some of those wipes have in them?

I'm not as strict as before about such things; but still, if there are other options that work as well or better -- which do not involve exposure to any such substances or possibilities -- I'll lean toward them.

How could those wipes possibly not leave whatever soaps and other substances they contain behind?

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I can see how they could be good for cleaning up a baby; but that is a very small surface area -- a tiny fraction of an adult's body surface area. And babies don't have all the hair to deal with, and their skin is smoother.

Also, I wonder how much of a residue is actually left behind (or on same) after using the baby wipes on a baby. It may not be visible, but there are probably billions and billions of microorganisms left behind after wiping. A thorough shampoo and rinse would probably remove quite a few more of them.

Sometimes these products (scented toilet papers are among the others, and various air 'fresheners' for car and home) don't actually do a very good job of cleaning. They give the illusion of cleanliness or 'freshness.'

An experienced American MD was once hired by a Japanese company that wanted to introduce their advanced bidet systems to the North American market. This doctor was hired as a consultant, to help them get through to the people in this market -- to help people see how much cleaner, or how much more truly clean (clean in fact, not just in the mind) this system would make things.

They tried giving people examples like this: if you had some kind of catsup-mustard-oil mix on your arm, which would get you cleaner -- wiping it with some TP, or lathering and rinsing a couple of times?

These bidets were highly automated, and would shoot some well-directed jets of water and soaps (or sodium laureth sulfate), and then jets of rinse water (with some moisturizers along the way), followed by automatic blow-drying.

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I've used some of those nontoxic (supposedly, hopefully) hand cleaners (like Orange Goop), and they work surprisingly well at times. But I can't help thinking that -- even though the hands look clean and smell clean and impress many people's minds as in actual fact being clean -- there may be a lot of dissolved residues of various sorts on and in the skin.

Part of the trick seems to be hiding them from being visible to the naked eyes (and presenting a 'clean' scent). You can dissolve some dark grease with citrus degreaser, and rub it around until it 'disappears.' It seems like magic at times, but it's still there....

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I'm open to trying a variety of things, and don't really have to settle on one. Mixing different approaches, according to time and circumstances, is appealing; so I'm glad to know about these possibilities.

Various ones seem to have their own strong points and applications.

WOW Niles .... have you ever had a chat with your Dr. about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189/DSECTION=2

I've never heard anyone express such fanaticism about being clean (and I have connections in the medical world where cleanliness is very important), or more specifically, getting everything off the skin.

Life will leave residue on your skin. You always have some sort of residue on your skin. The air is full of almost invisible particles which settle on your skin. Your clothing can leave some residue. Soaps of all sorts will leave a residue. If you use deodorant ... residue. If you cook ... residue. That's life. And it is normal. We will never, ever be completely "clean", no matter what products we use (or don't use) and no matter how many times a day we wash our hands. And when it comes down to it ... we don't want to be completely "clean".

Here ... enjoy: :)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070206095816.htm

+1 Machka

The skin is the largest eliminative organ in the body. We are constantly using the skin as a way to eliminate gases, liquids and solids.

One of the best ways to keep clean is a little water and a natural fiber brush. most of the salt, odor and other 'funk' on the skin is best treated by a good scrubbing. There are a lot of solids excreted by the skin and these end up hanging onto the liquids. The combination creates odor. scrub off the recently excreted solids and you reduce odor by quite a bit.

Working in healthcare as I do, I can tell you that nothing makes a persons skin odor worse than poor eliminations from the lower GI. It fouls the breath, and sours the skin's odor as well. I can smell these people from the waiting room. A healthy bowel is extremely important to eliminate body odor.

BTW Machka - your statement about everyday baths being a recent phenomenon is true, unless of course you are Japanese.....big history of frequent bathing. :D

If it's an MSR Dromedary, they work very well for carrying water. They work fine as showers, but I've never had the patience to leave one in the sun for long enough to get the water warm. I think you would need a lot of time, and some strong direct sunlight. But showering with cool water isn't the end of the world.

Article plus sidebar with some interesting observations on this topic:

http://www.theecologist.org/archive_detail.asp?content_id=493

WOW Niles .... have you ever had a chat with your Dr. about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189/DSECTION=2

I've never heard anyone express such fanaticism about being clean (and I have connections in the medical world where cleanliness is very important), or more specifically, getting everything off the skin.

Life will leave residue on your skin. You always have some sort of residue on your skin. The air is full of almost invisible particles which settle on your skin. Your clothing can leave some residue. Soaps of all sorts will leave a residue. If you use deodorant ... residue. If you cook ... residue. That's life. And it is normal. We will never, ever be completely "clean", no matter what products we use (or don't use) and no matter how many times a day we wash our hands. And when it comes down to it ... we don't want to be completely "clean".

Here ... enjoy: :)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070206095816.htm
Thanks for the diagnosis, Dr.;)

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Obviously, there will be some residues. That doesn't mean it's all the same; and why not rinse off the excess? Water is called 'the universal solvent' by those in the know [professional chemists]; and it is quite good at cleaning, especially when combined with effective soaps, including some of the natural ones.

Do you really want the excess or unnecessary residues -- especially of the chemical, odiferous, oily, sweaty, sticky, dirty, or certain microbial sorts? Some of us would rather be relatively clean [one never said anything about 'absolutely' or 'completely' clean].

*******
Is there something wrong with being clean?

Why do so many doctors and dermatologists recommend it?

Why do doctors who write about ways of preventing saddle sores recommend it? And why do they recommend it so highly?

And, at least as importantly, why does it work so well and in so many cases??

I like clean clothes, in life and on tour.

Nothing wrong with it!

It feels good, it feels fresh.

A freshly showered woman is more attractive than a dirty one to some of us. And we ourselves feel better being clean.

Do you like Hugh Laurie better clean, in this version,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWnB0hQWGdI

or dirty, in this version,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gysBj-drnS4

:)

I'd rather a bare footed, longed haired, hippy-girl in a tent

over a freshly cleaned, chemical cleansed city girl in a hotel

there is no "right" or "wrong"

all personal preferences

... i reckon all these healthcare "professionals" reccomend the plethora of mostly chemical-based products on the market because there's money to be made in making people feel like they have to buy more products to keep "clean"

"clean" is just another image

sure it's nice to have a good shower or bath...

it's also REALLY nice feeling to dance in the rain and stomp mud all over yourself

or to go bushwalking for days without showering

Dr. Bronners soap, a sponge, and a lightweight microfiber towel. Pretty lightweight, easy and effective.

Dr. Bronners soap, a sponge, and a lightweight microfiber towel. Pretty lightweight, easy and effective.

+1

My only problem is my hair. I have lots of it and i don't like the idea of cutting it off for an extended tour 'cause it's a pain to keep clean. Guess I'll just keep it bound up or make a compromise. The latter being more likely.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/pics/crazyguyonabike/docs/00/00/24/05/large/DSCN4560__Small_.JPG?v=Ay
I wanted to be helpful, but I think this is the wrong thread.

EDIT: I gots to clarify I mean that this is the wrong thread for me to be helpful in and NOT that this thread is WRONG.... uh... English is a funny language.

Whats the matter with not showering for a couple of months?

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/pics/crazyguyonabike/docs/00/00/24/05/large/DSCN4560__Small_.JPG?v=Ay
I wanted to be helpful, but I think this is the wrong thread.

Whats the matter with not showering for a couple of months?

Nothing, if you're using other methods of cleaning yourself. If you're not doing anything to clean yourself, a couple months is a bit long.

Some great ideas here, I'll add mine as well. When there's a water source, but no real showers around and I want to clean up I use the bladder of a camelback, which I carry for extra water carrying capacity. I have the 100 oz capacity bladder. I'll heat up water on my stove, pour it into the bladder. The nipple can easily be reomved and provides a nice stream of (warm) water. It will provide enough water for a wet down, lather up amd rinse off. Can be supplemented from warm water put in your bike bottles. If there's a tree around, just hang it up. Use a clothes pin or some other type of clip to keep the live end above the reservoir between wet down and rinse off. A great outdoor shower. Originally this idea came to me when a friend of mine took a tumble, and we needed a way to irrigate some abrasions he had from the crash. Obviously this should be done well away from streams, lakes, or other open bodies of water. Cheers! Steve

[
Whats the matter with not showering for a couple of months?

hi tzuo,

Yes. There are multiple variations and views here. Some people even revel in it. They feel like Vikings, Wolfmen, and SheBeasts. It gives them strength. There is a certain 'barbarian vitality' that goes along with it.

***********
This is graphically illustrated (/visually complemented) in a couple of clips:

In the first, the Dirty-Viking cylcotouring contingent (DVCC) is well represented. (The words dirt and spam are related in meaning. If you hear 'dirt' whenever they chant for 'spam' in the clip, it illustrates the attraction very nicely.):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

Another, related contingent (the WSCC) is represented by the Wolfman/Superbeast -- like the wolf that can eat the whole world in a single bite [the image of this wolf was one of the actual inspirations for quite a few of the Vikings. But some (below) carry it a bit further....].

When this fellow gets into it -- when he makes his Transformation, when he leaves the comforts and mediocrities of his home life, and departs as the Hairy Person (and shoots away as a new species, off touring) -- it illustrates the strong attraction this sort of transformation has, for a certain unchained-expedition-cyclotouring (/leaving-civilization-and-its-shackles-completely-behind) contingent -- to become and move as **** wolfus, and all the vitality that goes with it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MgXHRkR23s

gots to first clarify

EDIT: I gots to clarify I mean that this is the wrong thread for me to be helpful in and NOT that this thread is WRONG.... uh... English is a funny language.

niles those videos cracked me up. spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam and spam ... urgh

but i was truly concerned about staying healthy those 2 months of just being disgusting. okok, no more yacking in this thread for me... i really am not qualified to offer any tips on being clean. i'll just read and learn tho... applying it is another matter altogether.

oh yes, just towel off in gas stations, that worked for me in the states.

the need to remove a high concentration of salt from the areas that are prone to chafing
Yes yes yes

When it is hot I can't even wear a jersey comfortably 2 days running because of the salt build up. Fortunately I've always had either a 2nd top or enough water to rinse things out.

Anyway, if I can't get to a shower or a river, wipes work OK for me.

... i reckon all these healthcare "professionals" reccomend the plethora of mostly chemical-based products on the market because there's money to be made in making people feel like they have to buy more products to keep "clean"

Sorry paul that's total cr@p and offensive too. It is the manufacturer of the products that pushes them through questionable marketing claims. None of my medical colleagues recommend anything other than hand washing to prevent cross-infection; alcohol/antiseptic solutions are considered acceptable alternatives in a professional setting where you might wash your hands 30-40-50 times a day.

I don't make a cent from people being clean, or immunized, or healthy, or having good teeth, or not being fat, or not smoking, or wearing helmets, or driving sober, or avoiding unsafe sex, or not shooting each other; in fact I'd make more money if people did the opposite!

Sorry but I'm sick of the conspiracy theories about doctors somehow recommending healthy lifestyles and disease prevention for no reason other than personal gain.