Commuting - No Shower at Work!

At my last job I had a great commute. I rode about 8 miles (mostly uphill) all along nicely maintain bike trails with the exception of the first and last 1/4 mile. It was great! Best of all they had a shower in the building so I could clean off afterwards. My new job is still a nice ride along maintain paths, but no shower. I tried to talk a local hotel into letting me use their gym, but no dice. I want to ride in, but I don't want to stink. Any advice?

At my last job I had a great commute. I rode about 8 miles (mostly uphill) all along nicely maintain bike trails with the exception of the first and last 1/4 mile. It was great! Best of all they had a shower in the building so I could clean off afterwards. My new job is still a nice ride along maintain paths, but no shower. I tried to talk a local hotel into letting me use their gym, but no dice. I want to ride in, but I don't want to stink. Any advice?


I think you should try asking your company to help you out with this. Businesses should encourage bike commuters! Maybe they could help you come up with a solution?

unscented baby wipes.
Or, spray with rubbing alcohol and wipe with paper towels.
Neither elegant, both effective.

Soap and water at the wash basin. Yoiu can keep a towel at work, together with work shoes and pants.

Soap and water at the basin for the face, and unscented baby wipes for the body. I always have a shower before I leave home and don't put on deodorant - I leave that for after I've wiped down when I get to work.

Never had a problem with stinking, and I tend to sweat a fair bit (13 mile each way commute).

Never had a problem with stinking, and I tend to sweat a fair bit (13 mile each way commute).

remember though, it's sometimes hard to tell yourself. BO is a strange thing, even if you can't smell it others can. you should ask someone who will give you an honest answer.

I sweat like a hog. Fortunately we have a private bathroom here so I just take all my clothes off (imagine THAT!) and get a long piece of paper towel, wet it, and just wipe myself down. Follow that by one of those old spice or lever 2000 body wipes then wipe dry. Get a body spray and I'm good to go. I always carry around a film canister inside a sandwich bag that has gel in it for my hair. I roll my clothes up so they don't get too wrinkled in my bag.

The MOST important thing is to properly cool off before you wipe yourself down, otherwise you'll just be sweating afterwards. We have a big 30" wide industrial fan out in the lab that I stand in front of for about 5 minutes or I go over to the air compressor, 100psi coming out of a nozzle can literally blow the water out of my clothes. Then I stand around my cube, check email, check today's list of priorities, etc for about 10 minutes. Then I go wipe down. By the time I go into the bathroom, I'm already dry to the touch, just really oily and salty.

Also try getting a polar insulated bottle and filling it with cold water. The bottle doesn't get sweaty and liquid stays cold.

remember though, it's sometimes hard to tell yourself. BO is a strange thing, even if you can't smell it others can. you should ask someone who will give you an honest answer.

Try asking a female coworker who isn't particularly fond of you. :)

I live in a climate that causes one to sweat profusely for nine months of the year -- even when sitting idle in an air-conditioned office never mind cycling. Having said that, I can't say I've ever been a regular user of showers when I arrive to work. I find a spray of deodorant and a complete change of clothes does the trick.

I have to second slvoid on the polar bottle. I just picked some up and I have to say I'm shocked at how well they work. I ride in around 90 degrees these days and the last swig or two of watter in my bottles was always quite warm. The polar bottle (I keep it in the fridge at work) it still cool a half hour or so later.
As hot as it is here I get by with the same kind of "cool down first, clean up and change in the bathroom" routine mentioned by others. No problems so far.

I always take a shower before I leave for work. When I get to work, it's cool down and change in the bathroom. Apply a coat of deodorant and i'm ready to go.

Did you offer to pay the hotel folks for the use of their facilities? Offer it up as a new program for them, call it a "commuter club membership", with shower/locker only privileges, for, say, $8 a month. You could be the pilot member. Who knows, other people who work at the same place or nearby might be interested.

I've been wanting to start something like that here. Most of the office buildings downtown are gov't buildings, banks, etc. And since they're already developed, there's scarce room to put in shower/changing facilities (like newly-built office developments). But there are three athletic clubs downtown. I've been meaning to approach them about just such a program. I'm the worksite co-ordinator for Bike to Work Week for this building. When people register, the most common answer they give, esp. women, on the "I'd bike to work more if ...." question is "a place to shower/change/clean-up". So I just gotta get off my duff and start asking the club owners.

I've been wanting to start something like that here. Most of the office buildings downtown are gov't buildings, banks, etc. And since they're already developed, there's scarce room to put in shower/changing facilities (like newly-built office developments). But there are three athletic clubs downtown. I've been meaning to approach them about just such a program. I'm the worksite co-ordinator for Bike to Work Week for this building. When people register, the most common answer they give, esp. women, on the "I'd bike to work more if ...." question is "a place to shower/change/clean-up". So I just gotta get off my duff and start asking the club owners.

When you do talk to them also play up the p/r angle and volunteer from your position as the Bike to Work co-ordinator to issue a press release to radio stations and newspapers to give them free advertising. The $ may not mean as much to them as the free p/r.

I'm lucky right now as the bldg has a workout room/ shower downstairs, but I plan to use tidbits from these threads when I have to relocate to somewhere that doesn't have them.

There is absolutely no way I could ride to work without a shower available. Its 90deg and humid in the morning and at the pace I go I am full on sweating and heated up. It would be to foul to wipe down and put on a change of clothes. The alternate would be to ride so slow that I don't sweat - in that case it would probably take 60min instead of 30min to ride to work, not practical and due to the heat I would still be sweaty.

Al

unscented baby wipes.
Or, spray with rubbing alcohol and wipe with paper towels.
Neither elegant, both effective.
Best advice I have received yet… thanks ;)

There is absolutely no way I could ride to work without a shower available. Its 90deg and humid in the morning and at the pace I go I am full on sweating and heated up. It would be to foul to wipe down and put on a change of clothes. The alternate would be to ride so slow that I don't sweat - in that case it would probably take 60min instead of 30min to ride to work, not practical and due to the heat I would still be sweaty.

Al

I couldn't ride in to work without a shower after, either. Everyone has different body chemistries, and we all sweat at different levels and intensities.

At the end of my ride, the sweat is pouring off of me after I come to a stop. It's not that humid here. I just sweat heavily. If I don't shower, my personal chemistry results in a funk.

There is absolutely no way I could ride to work without a shower available. Its 90deg and humid in the morning and at the pace I go I am full on sweating and heated up. It would be to foul to wipe down and put on a change of clothes. The alternate would be to ride so slow that I don't sweat - in that case it would probably take 60min instead of 30min to ride to work, not practical and due to the heat I would still be sweaty.

Bit of a long shot, but you might want to check the compound of your sweat. When I rode the Glorious Mee ride last September (temperature range 32C - 39 C and humid!), my sweat was almost pure water. I would have been possible to drink and re-use it had I been in any danger of running dry. In fact, when one considers the chemicals in our water supply, it was probably more pure than a shower.

At the end of my ride, the sweat is pouring off of me after I come to a stop. It's not that humid here. I just sweat heavily. If I don't shower, my personal chemistry results in a funk.

Yeah. My special problem is that I keep sweating heavily for nearly an hour after my 5-10 minute ride into work is over. Plus there's that nasty sticky unclean feeling that lingers all day unless I shower.

Nevertheless, I once bike-commuted without a shower in a much cooler climate. I'd wait until I cooled off a bit first - about 1/2 hour - then wipe down and change into clean clothes. Then I use the trick girls use to smell good - a LOT of chemicals!!! Spray aerosol deoderant everywhere, and on the inside of yer shirt and undies. Make everything reek of Old Spice. It doesn't hurt to spray some deoderant on your towel and riding shirt, as well, so they don't stink up the office.

bkr
.

There is absolutely no way I could ride to work without a shower available. Its 90deg and humid in the morning and at the pace I go I am full on sweating and heated up. It would be to foul to wipe down and put on a change of clothes. The alternate would be to ride so slow that I don't sweat - in that case it would probably take 60min instead of 30min to ride to work, not practical and due to the heat I would still be sweaty.

Al

Even if I don't push hard, I'm having trouble cooling down. It takes about 15 minutes to stop sweating and another 15-30 for the redness to dispappear from my face.

I have a 20 mile commute (one way) in 90 Degrees and humid and we don't have a shower. Most days I ride easy the last few miles. On training days I just hang out in the bathroom a little longer and cool down a bit more. The trick is showering before you leave (and carrying fresh clothes) so there is not bacteria on you to make you stinky. Been doing it 2 years and no problems yet.

I have a 20 mile commute (one way) in 90 Degrees and humid and we don't have a shower. Most days I ride easy the last few miles. On training days I just hang out in the bathroom a little longer and cool down a bit more. The trick is showering before you leave (and carrying fresh clothes) so there is not bacteria on you to make you stinky. Been doing it 2 years and no problems yet.

Paul how do you get your clothes to dry in time for the return trip? My are still wet at the end of the day and the oder is not to cool.

Yeah. My special problem is that I keep sweating heavily for nearly an hour after my 5-10 minute ride into work is over. Plus there's that nasty sticky unclean feeling that lingers all day unless I shower.

Nevertheless, I once bike-commuted without a shower in a much cooler climate. I'd wait until I cooled off a bit first - about 1/2 hour - then wipe down and change into clean clothes. Then I use the trick girls use to smell good - a LOT of chemicals!!! Spray aerosol deoderant everywhere, and on the inside of yer shirt and undies. Make everything reek of Old Spice. It doesn't hurt to spray some deoderant on your towel and riding shirt, as well, so they don't stink up the office.
.

I find that hanging mine up to dry before they start getting funky helps.

You might also try taking a cooler shower if you have to do so before you cool off of your own accord. I think I'd personally rather stink of garlic and have uncontrollable nasty gas than do that, but if it takes you that long to cool down, it could help.

I have a 20 mile commute (one way) in 90 Degrees and humid and we don't have a shower. Most days I ride easy the last few miles. On training days I just hang out in the bathroom a little longer and cool down a bit more. The trick is showering before you leave (and carrying fresh clothes) so there is not bacteria on you to make you stinky. Been doing it 2 years and no problems yet.

Wow - I am in the exact same climate and I couldn't do this. Some one else asked about drying clothes - I just hang mine and my towel on my bike - stinky shirts are not a high theft item.

Al

Paul how do you get your clothes to dry in time for the return trip? My are still wet at the end of the day and the oder is not to cool.


I hang them on my wastebasket under my desk. There is a draft that comes down one side of my cube from a vent and I make sure the clothes get that draft.

Wow - I am in the exact same climate and I couldn't do this. Some one else asked about drying clothes - I just hang mine and my towel on my bike - stinky shirts are not a high theft item.

Al


In all fairness I remember sweating a lot more last summer. This summer I have commuted home as well instead of wimping out and taking the bus. The overall benefit is I have acclimatized better I think, so I hardly sweat in the morning and if I do I generally cool down within 10 minutes (although if I work hard that morning it can take as much as 15). I also have played with the vents (rotated the blades to allow the air to come straight out instead of gettting dispersed) in the bathroom I change in so they aim straight down at me and I can stand under them and cool down faster (no one has readjusted them in a year now). Anyway, that is what works for me,

In all fairness I remember sweating a lot more last summer. This summer I have commuted home as well instead of wimping out and taking the bus. The overall benefit is I have acclimatized better I think, so I hardly sweat in the morning and if I do I generally cool down within 10 minutes (although if I work hard that morning it can take as much as 15). I also have played with the vents (rotated the blades to allow the air to come straight out instead of gettting dispersed) in the bathroom I change in so they aim straight down at me and I can stand under them and cool down faster (no one has readjusted them in a year now). Anyway, that is what works for me,

I've lived hear 12yrs. and am very acclimatized as I do mostly outdoor activities. I have spent whole summers running after work when it is still 105 (much worse than cycling in same temp.)

But as to sweat - I find acclimating has no impact. I've heard (and experienced) that the better shape one is in the more readily one sweats. (yes this is different that acclimating)

These days I sweat as much in the morning as I do going home. It takes longer to cool down after the trip home though. I push very hard on my 9mi commute - keeping above 20mph between all lights.

By the way - Isn't today just great with the (relative) coolness and clouds?

Al

I've lived hear 12yrs. and am very acclimatized as I do mostly outdoor activities. I have spent whole summers running after work when it is still 105 (much worse than cycling in same temp.)

But as to sweat - I find acclimating has no impact. I've heard (and experienced) that the better shape one is in the more readily one sweats. (yes this is different that acclimating)

These days I sweat as much in the morning as I do going home. It takes longer to cool down after the trip home though. I push very hard on my 9mi commute - keeping above 20mph between all lights.

By the way - Isn't today just great with the (relative) coolness and clouds?

Al

I only do 20mph + rides twice a week and get very sweaty those days but I take extra time those days to cool down. I guess I don't push as hard on the other days so That is why I don't have a problem those days. Once my sweat dries on the other days, it doesn't smell so for me it is just a matter of cooling down.

Today and yesterday to a lesser degree (no pun intended) have been awesome. I almost wish I was riding home today instead of riding the bus home (Fridays are my rest days so I only do 20 miles).

My new job is still a nice ride along maintain paths, but no shower. I tried to talk a local hotel into letting me use their gym, but no dice. I want to ride in, but I don't want to stink. Any advice?
It can be done--I've done it for years.

You should have a clean change of clothes at work (everything, down to underwear and socks) and another clean set of cycling clothes for the ride home. Shower thoroughly in the morning and use deodorant liberally.

I also double-rinse my clothes when washing.

Paul how do you get your clothes to dry in time for the return trip? My are still wet at the end of the day and the oder is not to cool.

If my clothes get covered in sweat to the point where they're still "wet" at the end of the day, I make no attempt to dry them whatsoever. If it's that hot (as it often is around here), the ride home is going to be a lot more comfortable in wet clothes than dry ones.