General Cycling Discussion - Cycling Hygiene

Hello BF members. My high school cycling club met for the first time today during our MP. Besides the outstanding achievements of our co-founder -- Ryan Potter -- has made for our Northern California High School Mountain Bike Racing League and the fact that we are beginning a road-race team, one of the major questions brought up was that of cycling hygiene.

Let's face it. The club I belong to is mainly comprised of a bunch of freshmen that, quite honestly, have only just learned the wonder of deodorant. Yet, at the same time, these kids are still highly self-conscious about the way that they look.

So, I have come to you today to ask for some methods for hygiene that are pertinent to cycling. At this point, we (the club founders and myself) have only three questions about methods of hygiene.

1. What have you seen as being the best way to prevent acne from the sweat generated during intense mountain and road rides? A shower directly after a ride? A preferred way to wash the face or certain products to use?

2. Many of our members are looking at the cycling club as a way of riding to school safely (the power in numbers theory). The ride is not that hard, but there are hills. What do you recommend for the possible smell of persons after such a ride? Just a new application of smelly deodorant? A different way of riding to expend less energy, therefore (possibly) reducing stench?

3. This may just be a personal experience, but many adult men that have participated in cycling for a long time (say for example, 4 decades) have gone bald. I know that it is natural to lose hair every day, but even I have noticed those few extra strands after the occasional road race. What do you think of this theory? If you take logic in it, what is a prevention tool you could implement for this theory? Even if you can't see relevance, let out the conspiracy theorist within you.

'Tis all I have for now. Thanks for any and all help!

-BOD Cycling Club

Showers are the ideal way to go, of course, but if you don't have that option and yet you have a sink and face cloth or paper towels, you can still wash yourself that way. Where Rowan and I live right now, we don't have the luxury of a shower, so I "bathe" using a small plastic tub with about 4 litres of water in it. I can wash my waist-length hair in that tub, and then use the water to do the rest of me. Then that water is used to flush the toilet. We're all about conserving water in these parts.

And if you don't have that option, there are always baby wipes. I use baby wipes for a quick wipe-down every couple days.

Only after some sort of wash would I recommend using deodorant if necessary ... although I will add this. If you are riding in cold conditions and want to prevent sweating (because sweating can lead to hypothermia) the application of deodorant prior to the ride can help. I know some Canadian riders use deodorant on their feet to prevent sweating and thus keep their feet warmer.


As for hair loss ... if you've been participating in cycling as an adult for 4+ decades, that means you're in your late 50s or early 60s ... right? Don't a lot of men go bald by then?

1. What have you seen as being the best way to prevent acne from the sweat generated during intense mountain and road rides? A shower directly after a ride? A preferred way to wash the face or certain products to use?

Shower after you ride. Lots of products on the market like Pro-active. Give them a try.



2. Many of our members are looking at the cycling club as a way of riding to school safely (the power in numbers theory). The ride is not that hard, but there are hills. What do you recommend for the possible smell of persons after such a ride? Just a new application of smelly deodorant? A different way of riding to expend less energy, therefore (possibly) reducing stench?
You really need to just find time to shower after the ride.




3. This may just be a personal experience, but many adult men that have participated in cycling for a long time (say for example, 4 decades) have gone bald. I know that it is natural to lose hair every day, but even I have noticed those few extra strands after the occasional road race. What do you think of this theory? If you take logic in it, what is a prevention tool you could implement for this theory?

Check your Grandfathers hair out and embrace your future. There is no relationship between cycling and hair loss.

When I was a teenager (this was 30 short years ago) I rode my bike to school as often as I could (5 miles each way). I was pretty much the only kid with a decent bike, so there was no possibility of having a bike club. I just constantly tried to get my time-to-school down. That was my bike-club-of-one.

I worried about the things you mention. The fact is, though, that these are things teenagers worry about. That is, they aren't necessarily really problems. Teenagers just worry about what other teenagers think.

You can do a few things to deal with the real aspects of it, though. Wear a cycling jersey and shorts on the ride, maybe (they'll suck the sweat away from your skin and help evaporate it away, and in the cold, cycling clothing can help you keep dry and warm, as well), and change into fresh clothes when you get to school. If you can manage to wash or at least dry the key smelly areas when you get to school, that will be good. Once you're changed into your school clothes and on your way to your first class, don't think about it anymore, beyond thinking about the nice ride you're going to have at the end of the day.

Going bald...wait, are you a student, or a teacher? Anyway, I've been riding bikes since I was 5 years old, and I still have a full head of hair. My cousin has also been riding since about the same time, and he's bald. From that, I can conclude...ummm... absolutely nothing. Some people go bald.

If we could cut through the advertising-generated mythology here for a minute...
It's nice to be able to shower after a ride, of course, but you're not going to stink much if you don't. Perspiration is almost entirely water, with very little odor, and it doesn't start to stink until it sits around awhile. A shower in the evening pretty well takes care of that problem.
Deodorant is another issue. It was developed in the late 1800s, at a time when most people didn't bathe regularly (my grandmother, born in 1896, believed bathing more than once a week was harmful). But hardly anybody used it until the 1930s, when a big advertising campaign introduced it to American consumers. These days nearly everybody showers every day, and there's not much reason to use it (I DO use it, but you can't prove a need for it scientifically). wipe down as best you can and don't worry about it.

Most high schools have mens and womens showers. Ask your sponsor to speak with the school's administration to allow the club members some kind of access to shower facilities. Most water polo and swim teams train early in the morning and use the locker rooms and showers. So an additional usage should not be a problem.

Sometimes there are assigned gym lockers and some unassigned. That could be a place where you can store your belongings while showering.

As an alternative, there are moist wipes that can be purchased at Wal-Mart or Target Stores. I have a package I always keep in the car. The brand that I use is "Wet Ones". Hikers use a similar products when backpacking, etc.

Just a point of information: Deoderant addresses odor, usually by masking it with a stronger odor. Antiperspirant reduces perspiration. Some products are both, but often they are one or the other.

I think a few of the replies refered to deodorant when they really meant antiperspirant.

Sweating doesn't cause acne.
Cycling does cause baldness. I must not ride enough as I still require regular haircuts and shampooing.

The oils within sweat do cause acne if left to sit for too long.

Thanks for all of the help. Our club thanks you.

Shower BEFORE the ride if you can't after.
I'm generally more greasy and smelly if I don't shower in the morning before riding to work. Something about bacteria already being on the skin i believe. Maybe I'm just weird, I feel much better post-ride if I shower before a ride.

COOL OFF. If you're still sweating when you put on the school clothes... they will smell too. Cool down at the end instead of hammering to the finish. Don't run inside, swap clothes, and run to class... you'll still be sweating like crazy from the ride. Hang out around fans or A/C vents to cool off and dry. I keep a desk fan at work specifically because I have a hard time "taking it easy" :D

The oils within sweat do cause acne if left to sit for too long.
Hmm. Does sweating more due to exercising increase the amount of oils or is the water content increased?
That is, due you have any references that indicates that the incidence of acne is increased with more excersize?

Since excersizing increases sweat flow, it might reduce the amount of oil/dirt that contributes to acne.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/guide/exercise-your-body-your-skin


Shower after you ride. Lots of products on the market like Pro-active. Give them a try.

A lot of the products are scams.

If the student has an acne problem, then they are likely already addressing it. There is no indication that riding a bike is going to increase the problem.

Rather than get into the sticky/messy world of advocating products that cost money, I'd keep to the simple/cheap advice of face-washing (or showering).

I support the use of baby wipes. I keep a travel pack in my bag with me when I ride to school and use it as needed. Comes in handy for all kinds of situations.

Hmm. Does sweating more due to exercising increase the amount of oils or is the water content increased?
That is, due you have any references that indicates that the incidence of acne is increased with more excersize?

Since excersizing increases sweat flow, it might reduce the amount of oil/dirt that contributes to acne.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/guide/exercise-your-body-your-skin


A lot of the products are scams.

If the student has an acne problem, then they are likely already addressing it. There is no indication that riding a bike is going to increase the problem.

Rather than get into the sticky/messy world of advocating products that cost money, I'd keep to the simple/cheap advice of face-washing (or showering).

Nobody likes to spend money. This product, like any, isn't for everyone but having teens and adult friends that swear buy it, I have no problem telling someone to give it a try.

As for not showering after a sweaty ride, you are setting yourself up for skin problems if you don't clean up properly. Any race groups I have been associated with in the past always showered after rides to remove oils, bacteria, dirt, salt etc that caused irritation that would eventually lead to saddle sores. Trust me, it works.

Nobody likes to spend money. This product, like any, isn't for everyone but having teens and adult friends that swear buy it, I have no problem telling someone to give it a try.
If they have a problem and need a product, they are likely already using it! That, and because nothing indicates that cycling is going make it worse, means you can avoid recommending products.

It's possible that the problem with pro-active is how they sell it.


As for not showering after a sweaty ride, you are setting yourself up for skin problems if you don't clean up properly. Any race groups I have been associated with in the past always showered after rides to remove oils, bacteria, dirt, salt etc that caused irritation that would eventually lead to saddle sores. Trust me, it works.
I suggested showering. It would be the best option (obviously).

Hmm. Does sweating more due to exercising increase the amount of oils or is the water content increased?
That is, due you have any references that indicates that the incidence of acne is increased with more excersize?

I'm not trying to start an argument, and I never said that the amount of oils increased.

In my opening post, I simply asked how to clean up. I know that I personally get some outbreaks after large amount of physical activity, mainly around the area where my helmet straps contact my face.

and I never said that the amount of oils increased.
You did, sort-of, indirectly.


In my opening post, I simply asked how to clean up. I know that I personally get some outbreaks after large amount of physical activity, mainly around the area where my helmet straps contact my face.
Simple common-sense. Showers, if possible. I think you'll have less difficulty worrying about products for other people's acne. It might not be a problem. If it is a problem, it's unlikely that you'll be able to solve it.

Ok, everybody stop recommending products. Dr. njkayaker is getting cranky.

3. This may just be a personal experience, but many adult men that have participated in cycling for a long time (say for example, 4 decades) have gone bald. I know that it is natural to lose hair every day, but even I have noticed those few extra strands after the occasional road race. What do you think of this theory? If you take logic in it, what is a prevention tool you could implement for this theory? Even if you can't see relevance, let out the conspiracy theorist within you.


I know it's not feasible in High School, but I shaved my head years ago and haven't looked back once. It also takes care of a ton of the hygiene questions you had. This isn't really an answer to your question or even all that relevant. I just wanted to plant the shaved-seed. I'm to the point now that having hair feels absolutely disgusting. BALD IS BOLD!

Positive news of this thread. A high school road cycling club in the US.. Congrats... Did not know such a thing existed.

Wiki confirms no oil in sweat. Seems reasonably accurate.
"Perspiration (also called sweating or sometimes transpiration) is the production of a fluid, consisting primarily of water as well as various dissolved solids (chiefly chlorides), that is excreted by the sweat glands in the skin of mammals."

Regular cleansing of face and body is a good thing.

When I was in high school back in the Dark Ages, a senior (I was a sophomore) shaved his head and was expelled. He probably would have been executed for having a Mohawk.

"I use Rancid Polecat No. 2. It keeps my skin nice and scaly"

http://www.orangecow.org/pythonet/sketches/aftshave.htm

I like a long hot shower before hitting the bike. I run much cooler and feel cleaner that way. I hate working out when I feel grubby and dirty.