Drying your cycling clothes while at work?
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Drying your cycling clothes while at work?
Tomorrow will be my first day bike commuting.
I am able to drive in one day per week with clothes for work.
We have a shower, but limited "locker room" space.
Thank you in advance for any hints/tips/ideas you can provide on drying cycling clothes between the morning and evening commutes.
I am able to drive in one day per week with clothes for work.
We have a shower, but limited "locker room" space.
Thank you in advance for any hints/tips/ideas you can provide on drying cycling clothes between the morning and evening commutes.
#2
If your clothes don't stink, then you could try to find a spot to hang them up during the day. Look for someplace unobtrusive so your coworkers don't have to look at your laundry. Maybe underneath your desk or in a broom closet if your management is supportive.
Otherwise, don't worry about it. Or, if it really bothers you to put on damp clothes in the afternoon, take a second set of cycling clothes with you for the trip home. They're pretty lightweight.
Otherwise, don't worry about it. Or, if it really bothers you to put on damp clothes in the afternoon, take a second set of cycling clothes with you for the trip home. They're pretty lightweight.
#3
I am not a car

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 747
Likes: 1
From: Decatur, GA
Bikes: Giant Revel 1, Surly Ogre
The top of a monitor is great for drying gloves and head gear. I have a cubicle at work, so I hang things to dry in a corner you can't see just walking by. A small electric heater is great for boots and socks, and for warming feet on *really* cold mornings.
__________________
"Bad facts make bad laws." FZ
"Bad facts make bad laws." FZ
#5
No one carries the DogBoy

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 2
From: Upper Midwest USA
Bikes: Roubaix Expert Di2, Jamis Renegade, Surly Disc Trucker, Cervelo P2, CoMotion Tandem
Originally Posted by supcom
...Or, if it really bothers you to put on damp clothes in the afternoon, take a second set of cycling clothes with you for the trip home. They're pretty lightweight.
#6
Mad bike riding scientist




Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,137
Likes: 6,186
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
I hang mine where I park my bike, under the fire escape stairs. I didn't ask permission but after 10 or 15 (or even 20 years) they've become a fixture. No one questions it. I'm not even sure anyone notices it anymore.
__________________
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#7
I park my bike in my office.
Its an older building and it uses electric baseboard heating. I had a special hanger made that is a sloping bar with 8 bimps welded onto it to space out hangers that hangs from the windows security grid.
It holds 8 hangers which is lots and holds all my clothes just above the base board heater. All of it is hidden from paserby's behind my computer. I also have a small fan that is aimed at them so they are always dry by days end.
Gloves i dry on my monitor. Hope you dont use lcd screens
Its an older building and it uses electric baseboard heating. I had a special hanger made that is a sloping bar with 8 bimps welded onto it to space out hangers that hangs from the windows security grid.
It holds 8 hangers which is lots and holds all my clothes just above the base board heater. All of it is hidden from paserby's behind my computer. I also have a small fan that is aimed at them so they are always dry by days end.
Gloves i dry on my monitor. Hope you dont use lcd screens
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Likes: 3
I have a jacket hanger on the outside of my cube. It has 2 hooks. One holds my shell and the other holds whatever base layer I am drying. I never have issues with anything being wet besides my shirts.
I suppose that will change if we ever get any percipitation.
I suppose that will change if we ever get any percipitation.
#9
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 15,762
Likes: 5
From: NYC
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
I hang it next to the boiler in the boiler room. Nice and warm.
#10
contrarian

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 0
From: CO Springs
Bikes: 80's ross road bike/commuter, 80's team miyata, 90's haro mtb xtracycle conversion, koga mitaya world traveler
Are these just sweat-wet or are you rinsing them? I hang the less 'intimate' items on a hanger on my cubical wall, other stuff goes over boxes under desk/side table.
__________________
Higher ground for the apocalypse!
Higher ground for the apocalypse!
#11
I throw my wet tee in a corner and it is mostly dry by the time I go home. I wish I had a better way of doing it, but I've got the same problem you have.
The key for me it to dress properly--I'm cold to start my trip and by 5 minutes into it I should be ok. 15 minutes later I'm sweating some. My typical commute is 25 minutes. I use a rack bag instead of a backpack, which causes much more sweating.
The only thing I change is my tee. I don't change pants. Also, I wipe off in the sink, if need be.
I cycle harder on the way home as I can let it out a little more, if the spirit moves me.
The key for me it to dress properly--I'm cold to start my trip and by 5 minutes into it I should be ok. 15 minutes later I'm sweating some. My typical commute is 25 minutes. I use a rack bag instead of a backpack, which causes much more sweating.
The only thing I change is my tee. I don't change pants. Also, I wipe off in the sink, if need be.
I cycle harder on the way home as I can let it out a little more, if the spirit moves me.
#12
Portland Fred
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,553
Likes: 54
Bikes: Custom Winter, Challenge Seiran SL, Fuji Team Pro, Cattrike Road/Velokit, РOS hybrid
Originally Posted by eplbrooklyn
Tomorrow will be my first day bike commuting.
I am able to drive in one day per week with clothes for work.
We have a shower, but limited "locker room" space.
Thank you in advance for any hints/tips/ideas you can provide on drying cycling clothes between the morning and evening commutes.
I am able to drive in one day per week with clothes for work.
We have a shower, but limited "locker room" space.
Thank you in advance for any hints/tips/ideas you can provide on drying cycling clothes between the morning and evening commutes.
What you can do to dry things depends greatly on the physical characteristics of your workplace and level of tolerance for visible personal items. If you can hang things anywhere near an intake or ventilation duct, you'll find they dry much faster.
#13
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,739
Likes: 2
From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
I don't wear bike clothes on my commute. Just a polyester t-shirt or silk undershirt, both of which dry quickly while wearing. I put a regular shirt or sweater in my bag and put it on after I dry off.
__________________
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR

We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
#14
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 15,762
Likes: 5
From: NYC
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Yes... hang your sweaty dirty clothes on the intake ahead of the make up air unit at your office...
#15
Life is good


Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18,208
Likes: 14
From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
Originally Posted by banerjek
The easiest thing to do is just get used to putting on damp clothes.
I park my bike near my desk and drape everything over the bike. For things that are really wet, use a coat hanger on the back of the door.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 767
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Bikes: 2005 Windsor Kennet, 1982 Raleigh Super Course
Get wicking base layer clothing. When I go out in the cold I wear thin wicking base layers and a cotton turtle neck over that. The turtle neck gets drenched but the two, or one if it isn't that cold stay relatively try. By their nature even if the base layers are slightly damp when you take them off they will dry quite quickly if you just drape them over a chair for an hour or so. So if nothing else when you dress again your base layers will be dry.
#17
They see me rollin'
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 784
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale T2000
My boss is really cool about it and I can park my bike and all my gear in the back of my cube. I rinse off my jersey since it's full of sweat on a hot summer morning and hang it on the coatrack. No one else uses it. The rest of my stuff I drape over the top-tube and handlebars. I turn them over in the middle of the day to dry the other sides.
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Likes: 3
I have removed all cotton items from my commuting gear. I use a synthetic long john as a middle layer or a light poly shirt depending on the weather.
Another popular insulation layer is wool. I wonder how long that takes to dry?
Another popular insulation layer is wool. I wonder how long that takes to dry?
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 293
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, TX
I hang some stuff over my bike, other stuff on the wall on these hanger things they give us for coats, and just throw other stuff on my desk. I've never had a problem with things not drying by the time I go home. What are you guys wearing that doesn't dry by the time you leave your work?
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 1
From: Down on East End Avenue.
Bikes: Salsa Las Cruces, Burley R&R and a boat load of others.
Originally Posted by cyccommute
I hang mine where I park my bike, under the fire escape stairs. I didn't ask permission but after 10 or 15 (or even 20 years) they've become a fixture. No one questions it. I'm not even sure anyone notices it anymore. 

#22
???What???
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Portland ish
Bikes: Cervelo R2.5 - Cervelo P2k - Bianchi Vigorelli - Cannondale 3.0
Originally Posted by lala
<snip>I hang the less 'intimate' items on a hanger on my cubical wall, other stuff goes over boxes under desk/side table.
#23
Portland Fred
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,553
Likes: 54
Bikes: Custom Winter, Challenge Seiran SL, Fuji Team Pro, Cattrike Road/Velokit, РOS hybrid
Originally Posted by RonH
No, no, no, no, no.
I park my bike near my desk and drape everything over the bike. For things that are really wet, use a coat hanger on the back of the door.
I park my bike near my desk and drape everything over the bike. For things that are really wet, use a coat hanger on the back of the door.
#24
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I drape them, one at a time, over my 19" computer monitor. Takes about 30 minutes for anything to get bone dry.
Don't do this if you don't wash your clothes daily (if you're like me).
But this time of year, not getting hypothermia on the ride trumps smelling a bit at the office, if I must.
Don't do this if you don't wash your clothes daily (if you're like me).
But this time of year, not getting hypothermia on the ride trumps smelling a bit at the office, if I must.
#25
After white water canoe tripping in the hudson bay lowlands for 24 days I have no problem putting on freezing cold soaking wet cloathing. My bike clothes just get pitched in my locker with all my other bike stuff. I carry a clean shirt to school.




