storckm

My wife is reluctant to bicycle places (especially in the summer) because of the freshness factor: arriving at the destination after having worked up a sweat. Can anyone advise her about this difficulty, since she doesn't find deodorant effective enough in the summer.

Machka 

Arrive at what destination after cycling?? Does she usually cycle to the ballet or to a ball or something?

Most of my rides start and end at home, and if I really feel it is necessary, I can take a shower.

cyclist2000

Well maybe they ride to the coffee shop or grocery store. That was the only way to get my wife on the bike, now she wants to ride to the farmers market.

Machka 

Baby wipes.


I used them when I commuted to work by bicycle.

NotTheOne

1) Get a bike that fits and isn't unnecessarily difficult to keep up a steady pace, such that she can keep up an easy pace(maybe 12mph) and still get somewhere.
2) Realize that no one cares, and if she showers regularly she's not going to to stinking up the place after a tiny bit of sweat.
3) Sometimes I like bicycling in a tank top and then putting on a short sleeved type cardigan or such when I get to my destination. Helps cover up any sweaty pits and still looks nice.
4) If that isn't good enough, I don't know what to tell you. You've married a wuss who doesn't like having fun

Mysterious Lady

I second the baby wipes suggestion. I am amazed at how that freshens me up. I ride in the evening and even though I'm just at home often after that, I'm not able to shower for a few hours (back to mom duties) and don't want to feel like a big ball of sweat in the meantime. One baby wipe all over (or a little more thorough "all over" if she can get to a bathroom or something) can do wonders. She can keep some in a little ziploc sandwich baggie or they sell little travel packs of baby wipes. (I can't use anti-bacterial hand wipes all over because those are too harsh, so consider baby wipes if she has sensitive skin.) If doing a thorough/private "all over wipe" she could possibly reapply deodorant if that was desired.

Also, a hairbrush and maybe a hair clip. Yes, I'm sure I sound vain, but he's asking! lol If she has hair long enough for a pony she can do a little twist/up-do thing and clip it up in the back and that looks very nice and fresh (and helps you cool down!)

Between the temperature and the workout, I am COMPLETELY covered in sweat by the time I get back home and this is what I do and I feel great. Plus those endorphins from the ride don't hurt either! Good luck!

ahsposo 

There are those of us that find a sweaty lady compellingly attractive.

CNY James

came in here to post this. unscented so she doesn't smell like a nursery, although that could just be what I don't want to smell like...

RonH

Can't help you. I'm still trying to convince my wife its ok to wear shorts to the store in the summer when it 90F+. She has this thing about showing skin and modesty. She got it from her mother.
Me? Not a problem. I'm dressed up wearing some decent shorts and a sports shirt -- summer or winter.

storckm

Most of our cycling involves some destination or other. She often ends up at the library or a store.

And yes, I have bicycled to the opera and a ballet, as well as other somewhat formal events like faculty dinners. I find that putting on a clean shirt and perhaps a sport jacket work well enough. Women's clothing doesn't tend to help as much, and she's more concerned about that sort of thing than I am.

Doug5150

Ummmmm,,,, how about an e-bike?

If she rejects that idea then consider the fact that it could be that she just plain doesn't want to bicycle at all, and that's the reason she's giving you.

Big_e

Since she feels deoderant isnt enough, maybe she can bring a spare t-shirt AND deoderant. When she gets to her stop, she can duck into the restroom and change into her fresh t-shirt and feel a little better.
Ernest

wiredfoxterror

I live in the subtropics, too. When I cycle to Publix or to an outdoor event it doesn't bother me - I just go in as I arrived. When I bike to a restaurant, or to some other indoor event I use the baby wipes, powder, new application of deodorant, lip gloss (or a full makeup if it's fancy) and a change of clothes. I have a couple of nice travelling outfits I roll up and put in my panniers. (I usually even have fresh underwear along, too - sports bras don't really cut it under regular clothes) I have long hair which I either leave down or roll up into something fancy once I get there. And a nice pair of shoes if it's fancy, otherwise just the sandals I wore riding. Nobody has EVER flinched when I stood upwind of them. Of course, I don't wear a helmet because they're way too hot - but if she does the hair up option will work fine.

Try it once or twice. Maybe to a restaurant where there's people pulling up on boats - they're not always springtime fresh!

Esteban32696

I just love the smell of female sweat !!!!!

Jaguarundi

I've been wanting to ride to work, so I can relate to that problem. Aside from packing a change of clothes, I'm not sure what to recommend. Leaving early (before the weather gets hot) might help.

My hope is that if I get used to longer and longer rides, the distance to work won't seem like that much exercise and I won't arrive out of breath and sweaty. Guess it all depends on how far you live from the destination and how hard the terrain is. Good luck to her!

lucille

Maybe your wife would feel OK wearing cycling capris, like these or similar:https://www.sugoi.com/can/eng/Product...avo-Ride-Capri

I have no problem wearing cycling shorts, but when I commute to work, I don't really feel comfortable walking through the lobby and to the elevator in shorts. I wear capris like this, or shorter yoga pants over my shorts.

lucille

To the OP, I second unscented baby wipes. You wife could take a few things to make herself feel better, but once she starts riding more regularly, I have a feeling she'll stop caring.

jdon

People all have different standards and comforts. Forcing someone to act counter to those standards usually doesn't work. Let her find her own way.

Bob Ross

So what happened in the three-and-a-half hours before you wrote that wonderfully helpful advice, but after you made this snarky comment?

Nachoman

Baby wipes and baby powder should unstink your wife.

Machka 

Snarky********** Not a shred of snark in anything I said. It's just that, unless a cyclist is going some place really fancy, who cares if the cyclist is sweaty?

TurbineBlade

Don't work up a sweat -- or at least keep it to a minimum. Columbus isn't too bad. Here in DC it's bloody humid and hot most of the summer. My wife and I ride at a "medium" pace (or slow depending on what we feel like) and frequently get passed by road bikers. Who cares? We arrive without being too sweaty, and I don't even use the showers at the office (she does because of her hair -- not sweat).

Try to reduce your pace and see if it helps -- on the way home from work I don't care in the least b/c we're heading straight to the showers basically.

I've met tons of people who didn't grow up getting sweaty outside, or playing sports as a child, etc. who don't seem to understand that humans are mammals and sweating is a means of thermoregulation. I guess it depends on what you're exposed to...

Tundra_Man 

If your wife is anything like mine, you're not going to convert her. A 15 minute 10 mph ride on her bike in 70 degree weather will (according to her) necessitate the need to immediately shower and change clothes. Her workplace is only about 2 miles from home, but there's no convincing her to attempt to commute by bike for this reason.

I'm the opposite. I'll arrive home from my work commute drenched in sweat, and if I'm going to be doing something in the evening like mowing the yard I see no reason to change clothes just so I can get dirty again. I'll clean up when I'm all done.

After 17 years we've both figured out that neither one of us is going to change, so we just love each other the way we are.

njkayaker

The "mama" in the original post cares.

Here's another cyclist who cares.

sknhgy 

I've been known to swap out shirts or shorts when arriving at a destination, when appropriate.