WonderMonkey

I didn't see a thread on this in the first three pages so I figured I'd start one. If this has already been beat to death and you know the thread, please point me there.

OK... the only reason I don't ride to and from work (ok we can call it "commuting") a few times a week is that there is not shower at work. The ride would take me about 1:45hrs and if I was to go slow enough to not work up a sweat it would take me much much longer.

Any strategies that you have found successful? How is the "wash rag and a sink" tactic?

1fluffhead

The threads are out there, you just have to use the Advance Search box (top right of screen) with good keywords and specific forum selection will help narrow your results.

What I do and works well for me is, shower before leaving for work and dry off the sweat as soon as I get to work. You stink if you let the sweat dry because it is growing bacteria = funky smell. Also baby/body wipes are good to have and effective in giving you a cleaner feeling. Splashing cold water on your face will also help to cool you down faster.

WonderMonkey

Thanks, I'll work the search like a DJ ..... does something or the other.

1fluffhead

The turntables may wobble, but they don't fall down

fietsbob

On long bike tours I have often used the wash room provided
with my morning coffee stop,
to do a quick sponge bath, in the bathroom,
Hair, wash basin shampoo, not so often.

djwid

Baby wipes and a change of clothes are your friend. As is any bathroom with a stall. Some body spray can also help. The options also depend on your job and state. Some areas are less formal than others and find it easier to deal with situations like this.

pallen

1:45 is a pretty long commute - mine is about 45min, so that may very well make a big difference. I start off clean, then when I get to work, I cool down 15-20min and then wipe down. When it gets hotter, I will probably resort to a "sink bath" with a wet cloth. SO far, I havent had any perceptible issues with feeling dirty or smelling. Its a lot less of an issue than most people think it will be. The key is starting off fresh and clean before the ride.

Marauder9

You could try something like waterless shampoo.

https://cyclingweekly.ipcshop.co.uk/s...ss-shampoo1471

Never tried anything like this myself but they might be OK.

chipcom 

Shower before you leave, wash up in the bathroom sink at work. No worries, it's worked for me on commutes long and short where I didn't have showers at work for decades.

travelmama

Oh shucks, that was good.

FunkyStickman

This is pretty much what I do.

WonderMonkey

The commute is 1:45 for me now because I am not in great shape. It's only actually 18 miles or less according to the map and because I will only use roads when I won't interfere with traffic. I am thinking that I MAY get the ride down to 15 miles if I get clever and can find some shortcuts that make sense. Either way 15 miles on a mtn bike is still over 1 hr. I'm thinking I may be able to convince myself that I am actually putting money in the bank with each ride and end up getting a road bike. I've never had a road bike but I know I can go much faster with the same effort and maybe now work up as much sweat.

WonderMonkey

This is what I'm am planning on trying if no miracle alternative comes up.

chipcom 

Don't worry about working up a sweat....it's a fact of life of cycling. Yeah, for a 15+ mile commute you might want something a little more light and aero like a drop-bar xcross or touring bike. A road bike is nice too, but only if you don't have to carry much and don't ride in crappy weather.

EKW in DC

I find it easier to search BF by using the site:bikeforums.net tag in Google.

As for cleaning up, other suggestion would be watered down hand sanitizer or watered down rubbing alcohol to help clean up. Cleans, dries sweat, kills germs, and helps to cool thanks to rapid evaporation. I use that when a shower isn't quite necessary or isn 't available, though fortunately I have a shower at work.

motob

I ride in cycling clothing about 45 min to an hour one way. I work in a medical office, so I keep scrubs and tennis shoes to change into at the office. I have found that disinfectant wipes remove the swet and clean with no odor at all (I use a medical grade, and doesn't bother me). I actually shower at home in the morning, then put on clean cycling clothes. Lycra and dry fit don't allow swet to collect at 15-20mph for me. My last couple of miles I try to cool down and just spin. No one has told me I stink yet, but I am the physician.

WonderMonkey

Because of kids activities and other things I'll still drive to work more than ride. With that in mind I have room in my office to keep clothing and clean-up (wash cloth, towels, etc) supplies. If I do save enough by riding in regularly and can justify another bike I'll still have my mtn bike to handle the occasional crappy weather. And I actually like riding in the rain, etc. as it is very peaceful.

nashcommguy

This is essential information. Also, don't work in your ride clothes or ride in your work clothes. That means change everything. Whether one wears cycling specific clothes is a matter of funds and personal preference, but adhering to the work clothes/ride clothes rule of thumb has worked for me for over 20 years.

chipcom 

Keep shoes, belt and an entire change of clothing at work. Then, on the days you drive, take in your clothing and anything else you may need (lunch supplies, replacement towel, etc.) for the days you plan to ride prior to your next drive.

Praxis

Alternatively, you could just carry your clothes. I find a good compromise is to keep the shoes and belt in the office and carry clothes (they're not that heavy, and I already am carrying tools and lunch). Different strokes and all that. Oh, and I've done it either way regarding toiletries: carrying them if my office was far away from the shower, or just leaving them in the office if the office was close to it.

I really need to keep a set of clothing at work as chipcom suggests, though. It's really a good idea, whether you bike or not. What? You've never spilled something on yourself?

WonderMonkey

Good information. I will already have my work clothes at work so I won't need to carry them.

WonderMonkey

Thanks, I plan on showering when I get up and before I get on the bike.

SactoDoug

This is a common subject, especially for us commuters.

First, sweat does not smell. It has no odor. What happens is that bacteria like the wet environment and consume some of the compounds in sweat. Their waste product is what smells.

Deorderants and antiperspirants attack the smell three ways:

1. Mask the smell with some other smell
2. Kill the bacteria that cause the smell. The aluminum zirconium octachlorohydrex gly in deodorants kill bacteria.
3. Prevent the secretion of sweat

The first two is what deordorants typically do. The third one is what antiperspirants do by covering up the sweat glands and physically blocking them from secreting sweat.

The first step is prevention. If you have trouble areas, then consider taking a wash cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to those areas to kill the bacteria. Do so regularly until the odor is gone and then a couple days more. You should also consider trimming any excess hair too. The hair gives more surface area for the bacteria to live on. Along with prevention, use antiperspirant before you start the commute.

Once you get to work, remove all of your sweaty cloths, towl off, use a wet wash cloth with a little soap to scrub where neccessary, reapply antiperspirants and change into your work cloths. So long as you have your body odor under control, no one will be the wiser.

pallen

That's what I started off doing - stashing a pair of shoes in my desk. Then I noticed some empty shelves in the back storeroom where I keep my bike so I started stashing shoes and a belt there. Then, I found a clothes rack where some of the sales people would keep a nice shirt hung up in case they need to run out and meet a client. I now have 2 pair of shoes, 3 pair of pants and 5 shirts here. These clothes never leave the office so I can wear them several times before bringing them home to wash. At this rate, in 6 moths, this will be my closet and I'll be shuttling clothes home to wear on the weekends

MKIV987

Another thing to think about: your office may not have a shower, but there may be a fitness club nearby that will give you a "shower membership" for a few bucks a month. That's what I do and it works nicely. Good luck!