BagoFun

I'd love to bike to work every day, however there is no shower within 2-3 miles of my work. I'm in a supervisor position in a retail environment, and can't be smelling like sweaty a** all day. In 90 degree heat, with a 9 mile commute, it is impossible not to be drenched in sweat upon arrival. Hair looks like I just showered kind of sweat. I've been trying to use stick deodorant/anti-antiperspirant, aerosol antiperspirant, and dry shampoo to try and combat the stank. Does anyone have a solution I may be able to implement?

I work in a grocery store, and try to linger in the freezer aisles upon arrival to cool down and stop sweating before I change into my slacks. I also start drinking ice cold water as soon as I enter the store to again expedite my cool down and stop sweating before I change.

obed7

I assume they have water available... water hose?

FrankJ

Here's what I do - shower before leaving, wear a synthetic wicking/quick-dry jogger/cyclist shirt (mine is neon yellow for visibility) and pack my shirt or leave it at work. Arrive early so I can cool down. Then remove my shirt, wipe down with baby wipes, then air dry and put on the work shirt. I don't smell and actually feel fresh the rest of the day. I don't even change pants (I tend to sweat on the upper half)

If there's a critical meeting or something where I have to interact with people I take it slower and not try to kill it in the ride in.

I think if you change shirts and wipe down right when you get in there isn't enough time for the bacteria to grow and cause the smell. Of course, you've got a 9 mi commute and mine is shorter (a little under 7)

You'll also find that as you get more in shape from the regular commute (not saying you're not in shape now!) you'll sweat less and cool down faster.

HardyWeinberg

Showering at home and then deodorant + changing at work (both after you cool down) is good, but you need to get there early enough for that cool-down time.

Papa Tom

I keep my work clothes and a dry towel at work. When I arrive, I wipe myself down with the towel, run a few scented Wet Wipes over my neck, chest, underarms, etc., apply deodorant, and change into my work clothes. For when the hair is too grungy looking, I keep a dryer on site.

It's very easy to use the "I need to look presentable" excuse to cop out of riding to work. I'm guilty of it myself, though less and less often. Try the ideas above. Heck, if you work in a supermarket, there must be PLENTY of products you can spray yourself with to eliminate the stink!

BagoFun

My current packing strategy is after pressing my slacks and shirt, I fold my slacks around an old magazine, then my shirt around them. I then wrap my vest around the exterior of those and wrap it all in a plastic bag. My commuting backpack has a padded computer storage slot, I slide the bag in there to keep my clothes flat and wrinkle free. Then a fresh set of undies & socks is packed up as well as other accessories (wallet, keys, pens, highlighters, whiteout, etc.).

Then I shower, kit up, grab my lights and take off. Once I arrive, I walk around, drink cold water, have a snack, and after I stop sweating I strip down, deodorant up, change, and use the dry shampoo. It is a 30-35 minute ride, and I leave about 1 1/4 hours before my shift starts.
There is a water line out front, but I don't have access to it.

I do all of the above with the exception of baby wipes/scented wipes. I'll give those a try!

I try to get there a 1/2 hour early to allow for cool down and changing time. Its enough to get my heart rate down below 100 and stop sweating before I change.

I'll try to start keeping a pair of slacks and button up on site. As well as a hand towel and some wipes. I might even try to start arriving 3/4-1 hour early to ensure I have the time to cool down, wipe down, deodorant up, and change. Haven't thought of using a hair dryer before, I certainly have long enough hair for it to be a necessity, though maybe a chamois rag to dry my hair might work.

KD5NRH

https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bronners-P.../dp/B00120VWJ0

Dilute heavily into one of those cheap TSA-approved <3oz bottles for transport, or hide a big jug at work. Experiment to find the right mix so you can soap up and rinse off quickly. Best stuff ever for swamp crotch as long as you dilute it enough. Too strong and you'll feel like you're humping a block of dry ice with Vicks for lube for the next hour. Also works for hair, face, shaving, armpits, and degreasing car engines, though preferred dilution levels may vary.

Korina

Wipe down with a wet rag, use the deodorant that you keep at work, and what's the problem?

tsl

Until a recent change in departments, I was in a public-facing customer service position. I know what you mean about not looking or smelling homeless at work.

I'm also very sweaty. I come from the same genetic stock as Rodney Dangerfield. Even sitting at my desk in the A/C I'm always oozing something from somewhere.

Here's what works for me:

1. Shower very last thing before leaving home. Apply deodorant. (I'm allergic to the stuff in antiperspirants.)
2. Wear clean cycling kit. Not clean as in "doesn't smell too bad", but clean as in "freshly laundered, unworn". None of this "wear work clothes" works for me. See Rodney Dangerfield, above.
3. Arrive a half-hour before shift start. Cool down in the back. It takes me 15-20 minutes to cool down sufficiently.
4. Birdbath in the staff men's room sink. Face, neck, arms, pits, chest. I keep real cloth towels at work (Rotated home twice weekly), but use the anti-bacterial hand soap from the dispenser.
5. Dry off. Apply deodorant. Put on work duds, wipe down sink area so co-workers don't complain.
6. Hang towel and cycling kit in locker to dry.
7. Step out on the floor, fresh as a daisy for work.

In ten years of bike commuting, never a peep from patrons, co-workers or management.

TenSpeedV2

That cool down time is key. I get to work about 20-25 minutes before I need to be on the clock. If you have access to a private bathroom, use it, and strip down immediately. Yep, naked is the key. Get the clothes off and let your body air dry. Then wash up however you want. I use a combo of hand soap and wet paper towels or unscented baby wipes. These work well if you would like to try them. https://www.amazon.com/Rinse-Cleansi.../dp/B00008QQN2

I have to agree with tsl, riding in fresh laundered unworn cycling clothes really helps. The shower before the ride is also key. Those two things should help to keep the stench down. I am also a cycling clothing person, no commute in normal clothes at least not in the summer. Jersey, cycling shorts, over shorts if you feel like it. Tech tees from places like Target work fairly well if you don't feel like dropping the coin on jerseys.

I am going to be "in before the ride slower/ride a bent/ride in normal clothes" people show up. That may work for some, but on a hot summer commute, no way.

Jim from Boston

I totally agree with @tsl’s clean-up protocol, though I use an abbreviated version with my own particular innovation, as described in this post to a recent Commuting thread, "Do you really need to shower?."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

I have shower facilities and can store clean clothes at work, though usually I wear scrub shirts and pants. I don’t have much close interaction with staff,and they would let me know if I offended. But here’s my unique contribution.

I shower in the evening or the morning before the ride, and as my deodorant I use 91% rubbing alcohol. This is used to clean the skin prior to drawing blood and is an effective bactericide. It leaves no scent and evaporates quickly and refreshingly. It can also be used to clean “down there” to prevent lesions from the saddle [and it lasts a long time, at least day-long].

If I have to wear regular clothes though, I always want to take a shower.

I usually defer a shower because I get very busy as soon as I arrive and I don't want to lose that get-up-and-go euphoria after the bike ride.

canklecat

Apply antiperspirant/deodorant the night before, even if you plan to shower in the morning. Some studies indicate it works better that way.

Some metallic body odors don't seem to come from bacteria and there may not be much anyone can do about it, other perhaps than changing diet or other intake. It may be due to medications, supplements, etc. I've noticed a strong rusty or coppery metallic odor from some otherwise clean folks when they get hot and sweaty, even without working out.

locolobo13 

tsl's routine is pretty much what I do. Do you have a locker at work? If yes keep spare clothes and towel in your locker.

KD5NRH

That's because they're all holding their breath until they get upwind.

rumrunn6

tip for the hair: bring or store at work a diluted 'daily clarifying shampoo' add a little to a plastic cup and fill the cup with water. use this to wash your hair over a sink. use the cup to then rinse the hair once or twice. towel dry and comb as needed

rumrunn6

I used to do this but didn't have a locker so I would wrap everything up in a plastic bag and stow in my big bike bag, out of site. when it came time to ride home I used a fresh set of bike shorts and shirt. this caused me to carry more daily but I made it work.

Jim from Boston

I recently posted about how I prevent helmet hair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

FWIW, I wear my hair short, but long enough to part, and I use a water-soluble hair gel (J Crew). I wear a lightweight paper Operating Room surgical scrub cap under my helmet, that keeps my hair in place without the ridges from the helmet, even on hot days, and it easily brushes into place when I take the cap and helmet off. Perhaps some similar fitted cap would work too.

rumrunn6

oh yeah I think they call these head-sweats? regardless, mine dries better with no skin or hair oils

RubeRad

Wow, rumrunn you take the headsweats off and it also removes your moustache?

OP, on the sweaty hair issue, I got two words for you: Number Three. Or perhaps Number Two. Even though I'm thinning on top, I have loved switching to a buzz cut. I will never have to comb again for the rest of my life.

I feel for you though not having a shower, I am so grateful for my shower/locker at work. The one good thing about your situation is that grocery stores are usually kept very cool, even apart from the freezer aisle. Other people's suggestions for outer cleansing are helpful, but also I recommend working to lower body temp from the inside, drink like 32oz of something ice cold: ice water, iced coffee, soda. I am also fortunate to have access at my work to a fridge with an icemaker. If you don't, your store must have some kind of cold/frozen storage in the back where you can discreetly stash a water jug or some ice cube trays, yes?

Also, you might want to explain your situation to your boss, and ask them if you can structure your work so that the first half-hour or so is in the back, in cold storage or something, so you can get stuff done and get paid while you're still in your cycling clothes, then a scheduled 10-15-minute break to change and head out to face the public.

bmthom.gis

Well, one thing is for certain: you'll never run out of supplies to stay fresh! Definitely will have to arrive 20-30 minutes early to allow time to cool off. Bring a towel...wash up in a bathroom

And ALWAYS wear clean bike clothes. Seriously, if you people are wearing bike specific clothes, wash that every day. Bacteria can and will build up resulting in a perma funk. Wash it the same day.

rumrunn6

even tho it's clear what it means - I got a kick out of the fact that the Urban Dictionary actually lists permafunk Urban Dictionary: permafunk

SpikedLemon

I just buzz my hair short enough that it doesn't matter.

Never have to dry, style or worry about it.

BagoFun

I have longer hair, and just put a hat on instead of combing it. I haven't had the opportunity to test it yet, but I bought a "Super Absorbent Towel" to dry up from all the sweating.

Not possible to create that sort of shift structure in my position either. I do arrive early, drink cold water, and cool down before changing. I also got some fragrance free baby wipes to de-funk my junk. Today it worked well, but I was riding in at 3:30 am in 60 degrees dodging sprinklers the whole way.

Important lesson from today, always have a solution packed in case of a blow out (saved by a discarded blunt wrapper package with 8 miles left to go). I hear mylar balloons also work well.

RubeRad

They make you be customer-fresh at 4am? That's harsh

BagoFun

Friday & Saturday are my days working in a box by myself for 8 hours. Co-workers will be upset if I stink up that room all morning.