We're in the middle of the "plum rain" season here - that means high temperatures, high humidity and persistent rain. This will last for about a month before giving way to full-on scorching summer heat in the high 30s celsius (around and above 100F). My commute has ceased to be enjoyable. I ride into work at a fraction of my usual speed and still end up sweating. I have stopped taking my bike when going out at night and on weekends because I hate arriving everywhere sweaty. I have been seriously thinking of buying an electric scooter to give me some freedom of movement (subway is inconvenient from my apartment, cabs can be impossible to find in this weather). This sucks!!! No showers at work, and the gym next door opens after I have to be in the office.

I have done or plan to do the following.
- Stick water bottle in office fridge over night so it's cold when I arrive in the morning
- Stick the t-shirt I bike in in the freezer before leaving the apartment
- Cold showers in the morning
- Some sort of rack/pannier solution
- Investigate the somewhat dodgy sauna/massage place in my office building to see if they have showers available in the morning (I think the place is open 24hrs...)

Any other suggestions? Surely I can't be the only person on this board looking for ways to avoid melting.

Having a secondary means of transportation is a good option. When the weather gets too hot or the air quality gets too bad I will take the bus to work (nice and air conditioned) and then ride home so I could care less about how much I sweat and I get to end the ride with a nice, cool shower.

Could you take a bus? Is there a way you could rent a scooter at a reasonable price just during the months that it is sweltering? How about an electric-assisted bicycle (you still pedal, but you are going much faster with less effort)?

It rarely gets as hot here as it does in your neck of the woods, but there are days where heat and humidity make sweating nearly impossible to avoid. The worst part is have to sit in your own sweat all day...not fun. I don't have a shower at work either and have tried most of the same things (except the frozen t-shirt). The rack/pannier solution should keep you a little cooler, especially if you are currently using some kind of backpack or messenger bag. If you are able to take a cool shower at the sauna in your office building each morning I think that would make the biggest difference.

Sweating is part of being an athlete. There's nothing wrong with it.

Panniers help though...a lot.

If you weren't sweating in those conditions, you'd be in bad trouble. Trying to stay cool is fine, but expecting to stay cool in those conditions is a little much.

Move to Wisconsin. Temp this morning 55F. High for the day might hit 60F. Been like this all week.

attach a rack and carry a change of clothes and a "wash-kit"
arrive early enough to get some privacy in the bathroom
wrap you laundry in a plastic bag and take it home every day
wear less clothing
use the shower at the massage parlor of you can

I like sweating. It makes me feel good.

Another sweating thread?
Perspiration is healthy, it feels good to sweat out toxins.

is it ever not hot in Shanghai?

what this man sez. Not sure about the massage parlor though, nah give it a go!

try a camelback filled with ice

Sweating is a good sign... when you stop sweating you better start worrying.

Just pack some extra clothes and a small towel to wipe yourself off and change.

Well, if it's dodgy like I'm thinking, you could have some fun mornings with this...

I rode my bike a mile at lunch, to AAA ironically, trying not to sweat. Cruising in low gear.. it's only 70° today, usual low so-cal humidity and I still broke a sweat. I don't think it's possible not to while riding a bike any significant distance.

Other than making sure you drink a bottle of water about every 30 minutes, I'm not much help.
Dripping like a shower rag in 90+ temps and humidity is a spiritual experience.
Embrace the sweat. It cleans body and soul.

For short rides, you could wear a shirt and a sweatband soaked in cold water and carry your "good" shirt in a pack if you ride with one. Not so sure how that would work in high humidity though.

Thanks for the replies! Yesterday was a crummy day in general and the heat was not helping, so I was exceptionally bitter. I don't mind sweating so much if I'm heading straight home from work... I usually ride much faster and arrive home utterly drenched. The issue is more if I have to ride into work at any time other than first thing in the morning (happens at least a few times a month), or if I am going anywhere other than straight home in the evening.

I think the rack/pannier thing is going to be my best bet other than the dodgy sauna (have been using a messenger bag). Need to figure out what options I have given I'm riding a minivelo. Yes, I believe the sauna may be dodgy in that way, given the girls I see queueing in front of the service elevators. Probably still worth investigating a shower-only option.

Shanghai's not always this hot. In winter it gets down below freezing on occasion, which is great since my apartment building isn't insulated.

I too am sick of sweating. I had a heat stroke when I was a kid so this insufferable heat is a bit dangerous for me as well. We are moving to Ireland in less than a week so I won't have to deal with this any more but I had checked into buying a bicycle with electric-assist. Just to keep me from being quite so sweaty when I arrive! Brace yourself if you consider this. They are so expensive!

The electric-assist bikes here are mostly crummy electric mopeds that don't work well as bikes or scooters. I would be more likely to get an electric scooter, but am not sure where I would keep it. You can get electric scooters here that look like Vespas for about US$600, or less fancy ones for less than half of that. I won't say it's not tempting. Still, I'd rather spend money on my bike!

^FTW!! I have my own office. I arrive 15 min early and lock the door so i can stand in there naked for a few min, towel off, then change. works great. if people didn't see the bike they would never now i ride to work. Keep cologne and deodorant in your desk.