I think there is a significant difference in how city-based people regard touring cyclists and how country people regard them.

We do a lot of country riding, either touring, or on randonnees. I also live in a small country town. There is a sort of cameraderie out here, where people are looking after your back. You get the friendly (and I mean friendly) wave from farmers in their paddocks, truckies going about their business, residents on their way to the nearest town or a sporting event. If we are stopped on the side of the road, they will slow, and often stop to inquire if things are OK. Dusty clothes and grubby hands are a sign of work on the land out here.

The city folk are always on a mission to get to their destinations, even in the country. They are self-absorbed, want everything squeaky clean, and are much less likely to observe you as anything more than an irritation. Which is all OK, I suppose, so long as they leave me alone.

City folk, however, can be quite inquisitive about you when they have seen you earlier in the day and you end up in the same accommodation place that evening. Often you are regarded as some sort of superhero for riding that far and still being alive. It can be flattering... the first couple of times.

Wet Ones are my choice of cleaning agent when no other options are available. I also carry three changes of gear -- one on me (for two days or so, if required), one clean and one ready for the wash. Then, like Machka, I have a pair of pants with zip-off legs that can be dress pants if needed, plus a light T-shirt, and a pair of light sandals or Croc knock-offs; but using MTB shoes means they can double as passable casual shoes.

I am not quite sure what people are on about when they talk about being smelly. Using a deodorant after a wipe-down with Wet Ones can overcome the arm-pit issue. A good butt cleaning after using the toilet, including a wipe-over with Wet Ones should solve that issue. And in fact, a spritz with a spray deodorant in that region can help, too.

I usually make a decision about shaving before a tour, if I haven't already got a beard. I think the transition between clean-shaven and beard can make a male cyclist look scruffy for several weeks. If I decide to shave, I usually do it in the shower.

I am not one for swimming in creeeks, rivers or lakes, and I sure don't like the idea of soaping up and rinsing off in them. If necessary, I will use water bottles to soap and rinse well away from the waterway.

Otherwise, I try to make a campground, hostel or cabin one night out of three for the shower facilities.

When Machka and I lived in a shack for a little over six months, very limited water supplies meant we would have a bath only once or twice a week. We got by quite well without people making comments on how we smelled...