Originally Posted by
crazyguyonabike
The bigger problem is that I don't smell or look too good. For the most part its fine, but occasionally someone will give me dirty looks and hold their nose the entire way. I try to stand in the back so I can lean up against a wall but sometimes there is no room and God help everyone if I have to raise my arm to hold on. At first it didn't bother me much, but as I write this I can tell that over time, the stress and self-consciousness is slowly getting to me.
I have clothes at the office, but don't like the idea of carrying a lot of clothes back and forth. I have some very lightweight shoe like things that I swap out for my Sidi's so I can get around ok. Taking my bike on BART (so I have an excuse for smelling ripe) would be more trouble than its worth.
Anyone going through the same issues? I love to ride the ride, but now I just wish I could turn around and go home and work. I think the 45 minute BART ride is the problem. Stuck in a can for that long is getting me down.
It's a good thing you aren't within reach or I would rip those cyclists bars off your uniform and bust you back down to pedestrian grunt! If it is a pep talk you needed I hope you got enough from earlier posters. I'm more of a science guy and the science does not support your assertions that you become an odoriferous, unapproachable, mess after a one hour bike ride. I'd listen to an earlier posters advice and buy wool baselayers, at least, for the tops. I'd also follow another posters advice to start your morning shaved and showered. I haven't found baby wipes to be necessary once these steps are taken. HTFU. I have a 90 minute train ride before the bike leg of my commute. I use it to read. Since the move was the SO's idea, she has allowed me to consider the expense of a wireless hotspot so I can use my laptop on the MAX. It sounds like you could simply move closer to work like my SO did. She is now just minutes away by bike.
H