Cleaning up after riding to work?
 

Hey all,

I was wondering if any of you have some tips on cleaning up after a hard ride to work. If there's no shower, what do you all do to clean up?

Thanks!
Miles

I have a shower, but since i just started commuting, the weather is cool, and my commute is only 10 miles... i haven't used it. I just chill out for a few minutes after I get to work to let my body cool down and then when i change i towel off real quick, wash face and hands, throw on some deoderant, just a touch of cologne and I'm good to go. No problems so far.
I think cooling down before doing anything is what really helps. This way i'm not sweating on my clean clothes after i change. I also make sure i get to work earlier than normal to make up for any lost time doing this.

Many work places now have showers to support workers doing some sort of work out during the day... but well over 20 years ago I was commuting to a place that did not have such... then I did a wet wipe down in the men's room with a large terry cloth and then toweled off. I would drape the towel and wash cloth over my bike to dry and use them for a few days before washing.

Later a fellow emplyee and I rigged a shower in the building utility room... simple thing. I stood on a pallet over a floor drain next to the water heater. Shower head looped overhead with a simple curtain.

You might ask your employeer if you can rig something up.

Hey KiLO, just saw your sig... you own a MINI?
I'm one of the owners of www.CooperSpeed.com
Check us out if you have a chance. :)


Also wanted to add that i heard a lot of people like to use baby wipes to clean up with. They're easy to store at the office and are supposed to work well.

Yeah, I own a MINI!! That's awesome that you own that place... I've totally visited your site a bunch of times :D

Nice to meet you :D

Baby wipes make a pretty good substitute for a shower.
Make sure you get the unscented one or you may get some odd looks from the ladies :-)

A shower and deoderant bfore you set off makes a lot of difference too.

I carry a hand towel and wash cloth and clean up at the sink in the restroom. No one has complained about any odors-YET. :o

Wash my face and hands, and change my clothes. Shower? Nope. That's after a 15-mile-each-way commute. I just take it easy :)

One method that I find helpful is those Wet Ones. I use those to wipe down (particulary good when there's no shower and it's "mucky" when commuting -- Toronto streets aren't that clean sometimes). Towel afterwards and add a good body/deoderant as well. :)

Haven't had any complaints as of yet.

I use baby wipes. As the colder weather approaches, I leave them in my desk as they get VERY cold during the ride.

There is a bathroom I can lock at our office. I take off my shirt and wash up with soap. I also soak my head in the sink as my hair gets sweaty. Keeping my hair short helps with this though. Then I apply deodorant, put on work clothes and I'm ready for the office. I make sure the water I wash with is cold so that helps cool my body down quicker so I don't continue to sweat when I am done changing.

I use the Handi-Wipes. The last long, get softer with use, dry quickly and seem extra large. Also, you can spot check for "auromas" during the day and do a supplimentary wash up if necessary.

Shower before I leave home (no deodorant), wet ones wipe down at work, then add deodorant. Works like a charm, even for a sweaty bugger like me in the middle of summer.

I shower before leaving home and use anti-persperant. Commute 10 miles and change into work clothes in my office when I get there. I get a little sweaty but I don't find I have any body odor. I am cooled off within 5 minutes and my body temperature is perfect for the rest of the day. I find that because I get my blood flowing early in the day I don't succumb to changes in temperatures in the office. Perhaps it is not a big deal here because our humidity level is normally quite low.

Last TUesday, I had to go into work for a half day..So, I took the bus just a couple miles from the plant..Maybe, I am a real sweater, but just an easy flat ride, I could smell myself..
Sponged off some, but did not feel really fresh..A hit of cologne made me presentable for the meeting...Usually, I shower on a full work day..
But, w/o shower..Think a big sponge and sink will do the trick..I like a shower tho. because that really energizes me for the work day.

I ride at lunch at work. Usually I'll change in my van in the parking garage. When I come back from a ride, I'll wipe down with baby wipes and douse my head with some water and then towel off. A small spritz of cologne and then a quick swipe of the mini deodorant at my desk and all is good. Plus some time to cool off before changing helps.

Just the problem i am going to solve!!
I am keen to design a product for this exact problem, I am a final year student of product design here in leicester UK. i know i suffer from sweating on the way to my job, it has no shower and a rediculas hill just before you get there, and only being a short distance i usually go full speed, turning up to work sweating like mad soon after i get off the bike, i take a change of clothes and some deodourant, but id would like to design a product that will keep cyclists perspiration at bay during and possibly after the ride so that there is no or little need for preperation, i have some exiting ideas, but need some outside input from fellow cyclists.
Anyone intrested in helping me could simply answer some questions i have, or email me @ junglejake_uk@yahoo.co.uk with your thoughts, i hope this would only be a small amount of your time,

1. What type of bicycle do you own?
( ) Conventional bicycle ( ) mountain bike ( ) BMX ( ) racing bike ( ) other.

2. What do you use your bicycle for?
( ) Casual ( ) commuting to work ( ) sporting ( ) other.

3.how often do you cycle per week?
( ) Once ( ) under 5 times ( ) under 10 times ( ) 10 and over.

4. How far is your average single journey?
( ) Under 2 miles ( ) under 5 miles ( ) under 10 miles ( ) over 10.

5. Do you tend to wear particular clothes for your bicycle journeys?
( ) Yes ( ) no
If yes please specify..

6.do u tend to sweat during your bicycle journey?
( ) Like a hamster ( ) like a rabbit ( ) like a cat ( ) like a donkey

7. Do u tend to sweat after your bicycle journey?
( ) Like a hamster ( ) like a rabbit ( ) like a cat ( ) like a donkey

8. How much spare carrying capacity do you have on your bicycle?
( ) CD player size ( ) pint of milk size ( ) pair of shoes ( ) video player.

9. Would a personal cooling/heating product be of value to you?
( ) Yes ( ) no

10. What is the maximum you would spend on a personal cooling/heating product?
( ) £10 ( ) £20 ( ) £40 ( ) £80 ( ) £100 ( ) £150 ( ) £200 ( ) over £200

11. Would you prefer cycling equipment to be seen on you or hidden?
( ) On show ( ) hidden ( ) bit of both

12.what after market bicycle products do you own?
………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………..

13. How much do you spend a month on after market cycle products?
( ) Under £10 ( ) £50 ( ) £100 ( ) £200 ( ) arm and a leg.

Thank you. if there is anything you think i have missed or would like to add anything my ears are all open.