thirteen

Hi,
I've tried to find this question answered in previous posts, but I couldn't, so sorry if I'm repeating.

For a while I've been taking a train, with my bike, to work and biking home. This past week I started riding to work and riding home. When I get to work I'm covered in sweat! What do you do about this? I'm not lucky enough to have a shower at work.

Thanks

ridealot

There are a couple of things for you to try. Bring a washcloth and wipe down with that and some cool water.

Another idea may be to have a case of baby wipes at where you work. These do a great job of cleaning you up and making you feel fresh.

Hope that helps

bnet1

Well, that depends on the dress code for your job. We have an real lax dress code here where I work. I'm an electronics engineer by trade. My desk is in an air conditioned office but the engineering lab is in an open warehouse with no air condtioning. It can easily get up to 90 with the humidty about as high. (Ohio in summertime). In the summer most everyone save a few office people wears shorts and T shirts. That being the case I carry a couple changes of clothes in my backpack which conveniently hangs on the seatback of my 'bent. A quick trip to the washroom to dry off and all is well.

'bent Brian

Alrocket

Some use unscented baby wipes. Or you can wet and wipe yourself down with paper towels (what I do after short commutes).

slvoid

Wear light weight synthetic underwear and t-shirts so they don't get soaked with sweat.
Try slowing down your pace and coasting 10 minutes before you get in, that way it gives your body time to cool down in the breeze. When you get to work, wipe the immediate sweat off you with a paper towel and sit there in air conditioning for a while, you can't "dry up" if your body hasn't completely stopped sweating yet.
Then get one of those wipes, old spice sells em but you can also use baby wipes and just wipe down the sweaty parts of your body and then change into dry clothes.

naisme

Sounds like you've been getting all the same ideas I got, and give out. A couple other things you might also do, have a set of clothes already at work to change into, that way you aren't wearing your riding gear all day and then riding home in it. Hopefully you can let it dry out before riding home.
I have the fortune of a back room to hang stuff up, and keep a towel and four changes of clothes. I don't have a shower so I keep a bottle of cologne and deoderant at work to freshen up at work, after a sink bath.

royalflash

no problem-just shower every morning before you set off and wear a fresh t-shirt (at least) every day to cycle in. When you get to work and have cooled down a bit then change into your work gear (it is good to use fresh work gear as much as possible as well).

It works for me- I have told the guys to let me know if I stink and no one has complained yet

thirteen

I've been doing everything suggested. I guess I was hoping for a no sweat solution.

Raiyn

No such animal

mjw16

I'm in the same boat: 1) I ride 7 miles each way and try not to hammer so as not to generate a lot of sweat, 2) I cool down the last 1/2 mile or so, 3) I take a shower in the morning before getting on the bike (to include deodorant), 4) I wear a coolmax riding shirt(s), 5) rinse off and towel dry at work, 6) use baby wipes if/when necassary, and 7) always use a good body spray. Sounds like a lot but I still end up saving time and I haven't had any complaints.

mjw16

One more thing, I find that I really start to sweat when I've just gotten off the bike. I bring over the office fan and place it behind my cubicle while I check my mail, messages, etc. That really helps.

PaulH

Wear a short sleeve shirt. Leave your sports jacket on the rack or in the pannier. Don't to push yourself too hard. Remember, a level of exertion comparable to walking gets you going about 12 mph -- that means lots of cooling air.

Mjw16 has a really good point. When you come to a stop, your metabolism is still elevated, but the cooling airflow has stopped. That's why you want to get into the a/c as quickly as possible -- even if that means walking in the door with your helmet still on.

Done properly, you shouldn't be be in any worse shape than the person who walks a few blocks from the subway.

Paul

neon

I know some people are dead-set against cotton but ya know, Oxford cloth air-dries pretty fast and doesn't stink the way many synthetics do.

Chris L

Where I live, sweat is a fact of life (yes, even for those sitting idle in an air-conditioned office). My advice is much simpler. Take a can of deodorant with you and give yourself a good spray when you get to work. And basically allow yourself to enjoy the sweaty feeling.

zoridog

I wear bicycle pants and a coolmax shirt on the ride in, wipe off the sweat in the bathroom and change into clothes I keep in my locker. Sometimes, I'll have a meeting at 8:30 and I continue sweating for the first 10-15 minutes.

I feel a bit self conscious but everyone understands that I bike to work and that is a normal human reaction to exercise. Besides, sweat is sexy

slvoid

Good cause in that case I'm a love machine.

Shroom

Del The Funky *****apien - If You Must

Like radioactive, no lady find you attractive
The funk got you captive

gonzohill

people used to take a bath in a pan of water with a washcloth.... I just use some baking soda in the pits and that takes care of any smell be careful it stains if you use to much

RonH

When I was commuting I'd stop at a park about a mile from work and drink some water and take time to cool down. Then I'd slowly ride the last mile to work.
No shower so I'd clean up with cool water and a wash cloth at the bathroom sink.
When I had cooled down enough I'd apply deodorant. A little baby powder between the legs helps too.
I had a small fan on my desk and I'd turn it on as soon as I sat down.