Multi-modal commuting - showers etc?
 

Cheers.

The other multi-modal commuting thread got me thinking... we've been entertaining the idea of moving further away from work, which would mean some kind of bus/train stretch in the commute. In one occasion I found myself thinking, "well, that place is just 15 km from the nearest train station... it's not that different from what I do now".

But of course it is. Now I ride the 15kms to work, head straight for the showers, then bring my riding gear into my office to air and dry for the workday. If I had to sit in a train for an hour in between riding and work, I couldn't do that. I guess I could clean myself adequately in the train bathroom with baby wipes etc. But riding gear... I'm not sure I'd like to keep sweaty clothes in Ortliebs for an hour+ before being able to hang them dry.

Has anyone here tackled this particular problem? It's not folder specific, but I figured you guys have most experience on mixed mode commuting.

--J

An airy basket instead of the Ortlieb? Joke aside. During winter you would be quite cold on the train if first riding hard. Is there a way to ride a bus or train first and then ride a bike? Different job? Different house?

I'd imagine I'd have to ride to the train station slow(er) to avoid excessive sweating. And like I said, I have it OK right now and no pressing urgency to change anything. It's just something I've thought about every now and then, so I figured it'd be nice to hear what others are doing in that situation.

When I had a multi-modal commute in Chicago I opted for riding slower to sweat less. It added maybe 15 minutes to my overall commute, but I arrived at work without the need for a shower. It also allowed me to just wear my work clothes on the bike instead of worrying about bike-specific clothing. I saved the hard riding for going home. Nothing quite like burning the frustrations from the work day on your bike.

wait, why can't you still shower at work???

I can, but I'd rather shower right after the ride. Instead of sitting in a train for an hour and then taking the shower.

I have a bike ride on each end of my train ride and it's really not so bad. Okay, maybe not the perfect situation, but quite live-able. I usually fold my bike before getting on the train and stay in one of the standing sections, which I find more comfortable than sitting in (sometimes) sweaty clothes.

Plus, as Lalato pointed out, if you just ride a bit slower you won't get sweaty, or at least not nearly so much. For me, the commute in the morning is cool or cold, the ride home is either warm or hot weather, so I just cruise in the AM and hammer (if I'm feeling up to it) in the afternoon.

The cycling part of my commute (round trip) is just a tad over 24 KM.

Rick / OCRR