Touring - The shower problem

Finding a shower when you are on the road can be a pain in the ass, and i mean a real shower not out of a squirt bottle, have you thought about just pulling into the local swimming pool? they give you a discount for just using the shower or you can pay full price and get a swim as well :thumb:

We did just that pretty often on the TA. Quite a few times they didn't charge us at all, other times it was a few bucks. I have not done it on other tours though.

Huge community center in Ft. Collins, Co. Heated pool, hot tubs, sauna, weight room, and, of course, showers. No charge and 1/2 mile bike path from town center. Perfect. On US 160 enroute to Durango from Walsenburg. Speak nicely and they'll let you pitch tent behind the building.

My last two big tours featured 'grubby' days. In August 2008 I had a night at a free hiker/biker site without water, and I wasn't brave enough to wade into the Potomac to wash. In June of this year I camped in a backyard in Trappe, MD, and I left before the household got up. In the former instance I rode to the next hiker/biker site and washed under the pump. In Trappe I cleaned up in a chemical toilet and later in a gas station bathroom. It wasn't fun, but it was part of the adventure. :thumb:

Swimming pools are great. Hotels will sometimes let you have a shower for a couple bucks in one of the rooms as well. Or you could tour in Tasmania where we often found showers at tourist bureaus. Now that was great for wild camping!

I forgot to mention truck stops and campgrounds too. Both will usually sell you a shower for a couple bucks.

Since most Calif. parks are now closed, I"d have a problem.. But, riding the Calif coast had been a pleasure because it was rare that some state park was not within a day's riding time.. And their policy had been. There is always room for one more cycle tourist. We even had our own section..
.With Calif. state parks closed, guess I'd go to Oregon for a bike tour..

Finding a shower when you are on the road can be a pain in the ass, and i mean a real shower not out of a squirt bottle, have you thought about just pulling into the local swimming pool? they give you a discount for just using the shower or you can pay full price and get a swim as well :thumb:

I don't know about Oz, but over here many camp grounds are "full service", and that means they have showers, flush toilets, coin laundry, etc. So making sure you hit a full service camp ground every few days, or a hotel/motel resolves the problem.

I carry a sun shower. It's my pillow at night, just slip it into a pillow case and a shower when I can't find a "Real" shower. I fill it with water when I make camp and take my shower after dark and out of sight. If getting out of sight is not realistic, then I shower in swim trunks (after dark). Much better than a squirt bottle.

http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Shower/dp/B00266BMOY

All but the cheapest brothels have showers and can be found on most large trucking routes.

Not showering is not a problem for me, on tour anyways.

We've showered anywhere and everywhere on tour. Lakes, rivers, ponds with ice floating around, campgrounds, pools, motels, people's houses. One time in Baja we were so desperate for a shower that we asked the owner of a restaurant if we could possibly use hers!

In Mackay, ID (pronounced Mackie) I showered at a coin-operated shower in a laundromat. Locals told me about it.

Ray

Some Calif. parks are closed. Those along the coast where I live in Socal are as open as ever. Best thing to do is check on the specific parks of interest to you.

When I did RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa), hundreds of us took a shower in an enterprising car wash which installed a couple of rows of shower nozzles for the occasion.

Ha! Great thread. Never would have thought to use a community pool, if you come across one.

Re: showering in a hotel room. Would love to see the look on the person's face behind the counter if they've never been asked this before.

I plan to do my first tours in State Parks in Texas, which all have showers.

During my 2004 tour of Australia I often went up to 5 days without a shower. Not a big deal. In fact, I'm doing it again now that I live here!! :D

But when I wanted a shower I stayed in a campground with showers, or used the truck stops (the showers there are free), or if I was cycling along the coast where all the beaches are, there were usually showers at every beach. Some were outside, others were inside buildings and offered a bit more privacy.

I was probably my cleanest during the month I spend cycling along the coast in Queensland ... there was either the ocean to hop into, or these beach showers.

I don't know about Oz, but over here many camp grounds are "full service", and that means they have showers, flush toilets, coin laundry, etc. So making sure you hit a full service camp ground every few days, or a hotel/motel resolves the problem.

I have been way more impressed by Australian campground than by American ones. In general, Australian campgrounds have more facilities (like a camp kitchen complete with Australian-style BBQ and sometimes even a fridge to keep food cool ... and of course, showers) and the facilities are cleaner and kept up better ... all for a cheaper price. Plus most campgrounds also have caravans and trailers (like small mobile homes) to use rather than camping if a person wants to spend a night or two indoors.

On my 2004 tour, for example, I was quite pleasantly surprised by the presence of a vase of fresh flowers in the ladies toilet at the campground in Mt Beauty ... and a heat lamp which made showering in their immaculately clean showers a very pleasant experience on a chilly spring morning. And that's just one of many such examples.

So yes, if an Australian wanted to do a combination of bush camping and campground camping on an extended tour (like I did in 2004) it would be quite possible to get a shower at least once a week ... or more often if desired.

Showers are a big problem for me. I hate it when my touring buddies decide to take a shower, then I'm the only smelly one left...I thought we had a deal, guys!

The Historian's comment reminds me of my first ever bike tour, in the Loire Valley in France...one day I waded into the Loire itself for a bath (soap and all!), and quickly got swept downstream. Big rivers have a lot of power!

>So yes, if an Australian wanted to do a combination of bush camping and campground camping on an extended tour (like I did in 2004) it would be quite possible to get a shower at least once a week ... or more often if desired.

Just to add to that, yeah, commercial campgrounds in Australia are as described. But camping areas in national/state parks are generally very bare bones - just a flat space, and a toilet if you're lucky. A shower would be very rare.

My bike touring buddies used to mostly stay in commercial campgrounds, but now we've switched to mostly camping in the bush. My main objection to camping grounds is it feels like the only reason you dragged your tent all the way there is to save a couple of dollars. I'd rather camp in the bush for the scenery, or stay in a motel, for the convenience and comfort.

If I get a shower every other day then thats is a pretty luxurious tour in my book. That being said, I think my upper limit would be about 5 days before I would start considering paying for a shower at a hotel (that I was not going to stay in) or some other such thing.

I think shower frequency also depends on what type of temps you are riding in.

90+ degrees during the daytime, I can't imagine anyone would want to go several days without a shower. But a tour where you wear arm and leg warmers and don't break a sweat, sure.

I think shower frequency also depends on what type of temps you are riding in.

90+ degrees during the daytime, I can't imagine anyone would want to go several days without a shower. But a tour where you wear arm and leg warmers and don't break a sweat, sure.

I think that required shower frequency is more of a cultural requirement then physical. Up until the 20th century when on-demand running hot water became common, the frequency of bathing was very rare. It was common that people would go months between baths, and perfumes were largely invented to mask the essence..... This applied to people who did hard physical labour, as well as to those who did not. Mostly this was for practical reasons, if a tub holds 50L of water, and you need to heat water on the wood stove 2L at a time, it takes all day to get a tub half full of water.

It's probably a good idea for one to spend at least one night a week in a hotel/motel, if you can get there by early check-in, have a good shower, resort all your gear, do your laundry. Have a good sleep in a bed, then head out the next morning. Your ready for another week on the road. You could use a full service camp ground as well.

>So yes, if an Australian wanted to do a combination of bush camping and campground camping on an extended tour (like I did in 2004) it would be quite possible to get a shower at least once a week ... or more often if desired.

Just to add to that, yeah, commercial campgrounds in Australia are as described. But camping areas in national/state parks are generally very bare bones - just a flat space, and a toilet if you're lucky. A shower would be very rare.

We were at one such campground in a the national park here in the Halls Gap area this weekend ... just a quick stop to use the toilet. But I happened to notice that they did indeed have a shower and I was quite taken with it.

It was a galvanised bucket with a pipe, tap, and showerhead attached the the bottom (with a hole drilled into the bottom of the bucket, of course), and a chain attached to the handle of the bucket. You filled the bucket with water, then used the chain to pull the bucket up and attached the chain to hooks in the wall to keep it up. Then I assume you'd turn the tap and have a shower! I liked it. :)

I'm considering one of these....

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/59

I could imagine heating up water while I'm eating dinner and then taking a warm shower just as it was getting dark. If people were around I'd wear tri shorts and clean them at the same time.

Nifty. But I can't recall the last time I was at a campsite during daylight hours...certainly not enough of them to heat up that volume of water.

I think shower frequency also depends on what type of temps you are riding in.

90+ degrees during the daytime, I can't imagine anyone would want to go several days without a shower. But a tour where you wear arm and leg warmers and don't break a sweat, sure.
I think that required shower frequency is more of a cultural requirement then physical. Up until the 20th century when on-demand running hot water became common, the frequency of bathing was very rare. It was common that people would go months between baths, and perfumes were largely invented to mask the essence..... This applied to people who did hard physical labour, as well as to those who did not. Mostly this was for practical reasons, if a tub holds 50L of water, and you need to heat water on the wood stove 2L at a time, it takes all day to get a tub half full of water.

It's probably a good idea for one to spend at least one night a week in a hotel/motel, if you can get there by early check-in, have a good shower, resort all your gear, do your laundry. Have a good sleep in a bed, then head out the next morning. Your ready for another week on the road. You could use a full service camp ground as well.

My bad. My frame of reference was the USA in modern times. If touring in places where the locals don't bathe often, and you could stand your own B.O., then I could see not bathing all week. Me, in 90 degree weather, I'll be looking for a shower, here in the good ol' US of A.

I hate not being able to get clean after a heavy day of cycling. You end up covered with salt and sunscreen, possibly mixed up with insect repellent and road grime. It's not pleasant, and it also can result in health problems - for example, saddle sores and other chafing can result from damp, grimy skin rubbing against dirty clothing all day long. That said, sometimes there just isn't any shower available, so what to do?

I've read about people using those pre-moistened towlettes ("Wet Ones" etc) to wipe off at the end of the day. There's one by Adventure Medical Kits called Fresh Bath:

http://www.rei.com/product/730067

Anybody used these, or similar? Do they work? Better than nothing?

Neil

Neil, they work fine. Thanks for the link to 8x10 size. Nothing can replace a hot shower, but these things are way better than nothing.

My bad. My frame of reference was the USA in modern times. If touring in places where the locals don't bathe often, and you could stand your own B.O., then I could see not bathing all week. Me, in 90 degree weather, I'll be looking for a shower, here in the good ol' US of A.

My point was that historically this hasn't been an issue, in modern times we can't go more then 24 hours without using 200L of hot water and chemical soaps, and then dousing ourselves in more smelly chemicals, lest we smell like people.

If your riding solo, then camping in the bush, going 3-4 days without shouldn't be a problem, even in higher heat situations. Of course you can do wonders with a cloth a little biodegradable soap and a couple of litres of warm water.

I hate not being able to get clean after a heavy day of cycling. You end up covered with salt and sunscreen, possibly mixed up with insect repellent and road grime. It's not pleasant, and it also can result in health problems - for example, saddle sores and other chafing can result from damp, grimy skin rubbing against dirty clothing all day long.

This is a problem in warm, humid climates, sometimes day rides during summer in this part of the world will have the same result.

You not only need baby-wipes, but you also need to be washing your clothes on a regular basis, which is why I'm in a habit of seeking out a commercial campground or whatever to find a shower every 2-3 days at the most.

I've read about people using those pre-moistened towlettes ("Wet Ones" etc) to wipe off at the end of the day. There's one by Adventure Medical Kits called Fresh Bath:



I use baby wipes ... and they work very well. Go to your local Walmart or pharmacy or wherever and get a packet of baby wipes.

This is a problem in warm, humid climates, sometimes day rides during summer in this part of the world will have the same result.

You not only need baby-wipes, but you also need to be washing your clothes on a regular basis, which is why I'm in a habit of seeking out a commercial campground or whatever to find a shower every 2-3 days at the most.

I have not found that to particularly be an issue for me. We had 90-100+ temps on much of our 2007 TA and went without showers or doing laundry for fairly long periods without issues other than the fact that we stunk a bit. Which BTW seems to be less of a problem in the rural west. Folks there seem to be a lot less prissy about body odor than in other parts of the country.

Historically folks managed fine without much bathing and still do in many parts of the world. This includes folks who spent their days on horse back. I figure if cowboys could be on horseback day after day and not bathe for months it probably won't kill me to go a few days without a shower and without washing my clothes. Experience seems to have proven that out for me. Of course YMMV.

When we were in Argentina there would often be shower facilities (free) at the YPF gas stations.
however... girls need not apply (officially that is), it's meant for truckers, and that means it's forbidden for girls.
strange...

I think that required shower frequency is more of a cultural requirement then physical. Up until the 20th century when on-demand running hot water became common, the frequency of bathing was very rare. It was common that people would go months between baths, and perfumes were largely invented to mask the essence..... This applied to people who did hard physical labour, as well as to those who did not. Mostly this was for practical reasons, if a tub holds 50L of water, and you need to heat water on the wood stove 2L at a time, it takes all day to get a tub half full of water.


My point was that historically this hasn't been an issue, in modern times we can't go more then 24 hours without using 200L of hot water and chemical soaps, and then dousing ourselves in more smelly chemicals, lest we smell like people.

If your riding solo, then camping in the bush, going 3-4 days without shouldn't be a problem, even in higher heat situations. Of course you can do wonders with a cloth a little biodegradable soap and a couple of litres of warm water.


I have not found that to particularly be an issue for me. We had 90-100+ temps on much of our 2007 TA and went without showers or doing laundry for fairly long periods without issues other than the fact that we stunk a bit. Which BTW seems to be less of a problem in the rural west. Folks there seem to be a lot less prissy about body odor than in other parts of the country.

Historically folks managed fine without much bathing and still do in many parts of the world. This includes folks who spent their days on horse back. I figure if cowboys could be on horseback day after day and not bathe for months it probably won't kill me to go a few days without a shower and without washing my clothes. Experience seems to have proven that out for me. Of course YMMV.

+1

The daily shower thing is only a recent development in history. When I was growing up most people I knew didn't have showers and bathed twice a week ... once on Saturday night so they could start the week fresh and clean, and once in the middle of the week. When my parents were growing up the Saturday night bath was it. And this was the case for people living in a wide range of temperatures and doing a wide range of physical activity.

In between baths, on hot days, they might take a dip in the local stream or swimming hole.

Rowan and I have had to revert back to the old days here with the once a week bath, and then we use other methods of keeping clean in between. Baby wipes play an important role. They are quite inexpensive at the local department or grocery store, and we get the unscented ones. I always travel with baby wipes ... they've got a lot of uses.

I've also figured out how to wash my waist-length hair with a little more than a kettle of water (one kettle of boiled water to get it hot, and a bit of cold to cool it down a touch). When I wash my hair, I also do most of my upper body. In a camping situation, we bring a folding sink with us (we actually do carry everything and a the kitchen sink!), so we could boil up a pot of water, add a touch of cold water, and then bathe out of the sink. We haven't needed to do that yet because we've always stayed at a campground with showers every few days.

I have used the swimming pool showers, but I usually go for a swim while I'm there as well.

And in the spirit of reverting back to the old days, I've been eyeing the local dams and streams on the property here and debating about taking a dip in between bath days. :D

Will camping I have taken the 24 oz shower which consisted of the water in my bike water bottle. Another time I went in to In-N-Out burger, asked a worker to fill up a 5 gallon jug with warm water and took a shower in a park. Now that I have a solar shower I will use it while out and if on cold days, I need to shower, I will ask for warm water or boil some and dump it in the sack. I don't need much as I take very quick monkey showers at home and wash my hair twice per week at the most.

Will camping I have taken the 24 oz shower which consisted of the water in my bike water bottle. Another time I went in to In-N-Out burger, asked a worker to fill up a 5 gallon jug with warm water and took a shower in a park. Now that I have a solar shower I will use it while out and if on cold days, I need to shower, I will ask for warm water or boil some and dump it in the sack. I don't need much as I take very quick monkey showers at home and wash my hair twice per week at the most.

I think you've got an interesting, and environmentally friendly, shower setup at home too, if I'm not mistaken. I'd actually be interested in seeing a photo of your setup.

I think you've got an interesting, and environmentally friendly, shower setup at home too, if I'm not mistaken. I'd actually be interested in seeing a photo of your setup.

You are right about my set up however, it is nothing fancy. I just took an old rectangular storage container out of the garage and placed it on the floor of the shower basin and stand it in when I take a shower. Since I use a low flow shower head, my showers consist of less than two gallons of water. The container is not too large so I am able to pull it out and pour the water down the toilet rather than flushing.
I am considering a new shower that will be a bit more financially and environmentally friendly.

Have anyone tried using Warm (http://www.warmshowers.org/) Showers

When I toured in northern Laos, I had a hot shower in most guesthouses I stayed in. In some of the smaller villages, however, you couldn't always get a hot shower. One place I stayed in had a large barrel of air temperature water with a large ladle. If you requested, the guesthouse would heat up a large pot of water to a near-boil. You could then mix the cool water with some hot water and get a very effective and comfortable bucket bath. I found this hot bucket bath was far preferable to a real shower which was cold water only. For 2 days I biked in an area which was off the electrical grid and cold water was all you could get. I don't have much tolerance for cold water and I've learned that if that's all that's available, then I should always shower as soon as possible after I get off my bike while my body is still hot.

One place I stayed in was adjacent to a hot spring. Locals would all go there to bathe and I did the same.

A lot of the villages had a public water source and you would often see local people giving themselves bucket baths in a very modest manner in the warm afternoon sun. By the way, this was during the winter. From December to February, northern Laos and Thailand have comfortable daytime temperatures and can actually get cool at night. In the mountains of Laos, it can get quite cool at night.

Bring a sponge. Lightweight, compressible, and cheap.

Take a little Dr. Bronners, a little water, wipe down. Rinse the sponge, then rinse yourself. You can have quite a good cleansing for less than 1 bottles worth of water (really only need 1/2 a bottle if you're careful.)

I've gone for about 5-6 days at a time without a "real" shower doing this and was fine, not even smelly. Of course, it really helps to wear wool and not synthetics.

I'm considering one of these....

http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/59

I could imagine heating up water while I'm eating dinner and then taking a warm shower just as it was getting dark. If people were around I'd wear tri shorts and clean them at the same time.

you can also use just about any hydration bladder
i.e. CamelBak, MSR Dromedary
the caution, is to not pour boiling water into the bladder.

typically I have some cold water in the bladder, and pour the boiling water into it, taking care to not melt the bladder.

you can also just squat in the bushes and bathe with this method.
simply step on the bladder to provide water pressure.