one reason why cotton is GREAT!!!! (yeah, yeah I know you guys love paying $100 for a t-shirt or pair of shorts)

First, I go on record by saying that the article doesn't especially resonate with me. I wear what is comfortable and practical for me. I don't look like a homeless person, but will probably be smelly and somewhat dirty some of the time. I do not think that I have generally been judged for that by the local folks since I have usually been warmly received by them.

I have to say that I think we are noticed out there more than we sometimes realize. I base that on the fact that I seldom go a day without having a conversation with at least a couple local folks. Generally these folks took an interest in what I am doing and asked about it. Often they commented on having seen me (or us) 50 miles down the road earlier in the day. They noticed, but I don't think they were especially judgmental about my appearance.

I fully agree that whether we smile, what we say, and how we say it will have way more to do with how we are remembered than what we look like.

Peace

The original post was inspired more for compassion for the travails of the cyclist I saw. This is a big world, with room for everyone. I am actually closer to the hippie persuasion though I am too young to have actually been one.

Glad to have stimulated some good discussion though!

if your not smelly and dirty when you stop for the night your not riding hard enough...............and baby wipes work wonders in a pinch

Like it or not, we're all judged, and we all judge others, based on appearance, at least before we have other ways to change our judgment such as through a conversation. It may not be important to any particular individual how well they are judged by others, but the author of the article is very correct that the general public often has a negative impression of cycle touring because of how people look. For anyone who is interested in attracting new people to the sport, this is a valid concern. On the other hand, if one takes the approach that cycle touring in the US will always be a relatively unpopular activity where only those who have some sort of "calling" (for lack of a better term) will get interested, then looks really don't matter.

I clicked and took at look at the proffered website.

1) I am offended by the portrayal of this guy as a "bum". He served his country, as did I. So what's his story? What's he doing? I'm guessing he's doing better things for all of us than the zillion "Everything Wanters" around him. He's not contributing to the ending of our civilization, or at least not very much.

2) Darren Alff, the website proprietor, is a typical young opinionated self-promoter. On a quick scan through his website, I found numerous errors of fact and reasoning, even spelling and grammar. I would not regard Mr. Alff as an authority on anything, including on Mr. Alff. I did not bookmark his site.

I agree with Machka on the clothing issue. Good quality bike gear, jerseys, tights, and shorts have a very long lifespan. I can wear all these items for days without washing them or them looking dirty unless it's really hot or wet. Not an issue. Bright clothing is good, Mr. Alff. Lycra (it's not Spandex, Mr. Alff) is a good thing. If you eat clean, live clean, don't pee your pants, and don't coat your body with chemicals, you won't even smell bad. If you are nice to other people, they will be nice to you. It's not that hard. We could start with the man in the photo.

My two cents is that it's acceptable to arrive somewhere dusty and dirty. I've shown up places after riding all day on dirt trails, covered in dirt, my hands oily from fixing a chain, my clothes dusty, but it's how you comport yourself after that matters. You shower if you can, and change into your clean clothes, and show the world who you are. If I were out in the wilds, it would perhaps be different, esp if it were somewhere with limited water, but getting clean when you can is the point, even if that#s after a week. if you can get clean, but don't, then that's where it all starts getting a bit hobo.

Even if the guy is really a vet (it's common for homeless people to claim they are vets in order to gain better treatment from the public), it doesn't mean he can't still be a bum. Perhaps it's all an elaborate hoax on his part, but he looks like a LOT of homeless people in America. We all have our thoughts on the plight of the homeless and what might be best for them, but romanticizing him for being directly opposed to the "everything wanters" is a bit much. In fact, he might be just as materialistic as the next guy but lacking in the ability to do what it takes to achieve material success in America.

I think there is a significant difference in how city-based people regard touring cyclists and how country people regard them.

We do a lot of country riding, either touring, or on randonnees. I also live in a small country town. There is a sort of cameraderie out here, where people are looking after your back. You get the friendly (and I mean friendly) wave from farmers in their paddocks, truckies going about their business, residents on their way to the nearest town or a sporting event. If we are stopped on the side of the road, they will slow, and often stop to inquire if things are OK. Dusty clothes and grubby hands are a sign of work on the land out here.

The city folk are always on a mission to get to their destinations, even in the country. They are self-absorbed, want everything squeaky clean, and are much less likely to observe you as anything more than an irritation. Which is all OK, I suppose, so long as they leave me alone.

City folk, however, can be quite inquisitive about you when they have seen you earlier in the day and you end up in the same accommodation place that evening. Often you are regarded as some sort of superhero for riding that far and still being alive. It can be flattering... the first couple of times.

Wet Ones are my choice of cleaning agent when no other options are available. I also carry three changes of gear -- one on me (for two days or so, if required), one clean and one ready for the wash. Then, like Machka, I have a pair of pants with zip-off legs that can be dress pants if needed, plus a light T-shirt, and a pair of light sandals or Croc knock-offs; but using MTB shoes means they can double as passable casual shoes.

I am not quite sure what people are on about when they talk about being smelly. Using a deodorant after a wipe-down with Wet Ones can overcome the arm-pit issue. A good butt cleaning after using the toilet, including a wipe-over with Wet Ones should solve that issue. And in fact, a spritz with a spray deodorant in that region can help, too.

I usually make a decision about shaving before a tour, if I haven't already got a beard. I think the transition between clean-shaven and beard can make a male cyclist look scruffy for several weeks. If I decide to shave, I usually do it in the shower.

I am not one for swimming in creeeks, rivers or lakes, and I sure don't like the idea of soaping up and rinsing off in them. If necessary, I will use water bottles to soap and rinse well away from the waterway.

Otherwise, I try to make a campground, hostel or cabin one night out of three for the shower facilities.

When Machka and I lived in a shack for a little over six months, very limited water supplies meant we would have a bath only once or twice a week. We got by quite well without people making comments on how we smelled...

a few things in this thread got my attention. First is the assumption that looking dirty will lead people to think you're homeless.

I think it's very desirable to avoid looking like a bum - homeless people get harassed. However, I think people are a lot more likely to make assumptions based of your bike then they are your person. When the two are presented together, which do you think will draw the eye? I've been treated well while wearing stinking sweatstained cotton(Amazingly no one even seemed to notice....) - and standing near my neat, colorful, clean bike. I've had folks threaten me about being homeless in their town from a truck, while I was wearing my best jersey and shorts. At the time, I had most of my clothing drying out over my panniers and I was sloppily packed.

Now I make sure my gear looks nice when I'm going into areas where homelessness might be a problem, or sore spot for the locals. Otherwise, I just towel off a bit at night so I don't stick to my sleeping bag....

I'm not sure rather I believe that the general view of cycling tourists is anywhere near hobo/hippie. I think we're seen generally seen as a bunch of suburbanite retirees singing on for a group supported tour

IMO, I prefer looking like a nobody and more on the homeless side.
I have avoided many situations by looking raggedy. If I looked a bit on the high class, I would have been mugged, assaulted and my stuff stolen.
It's better be verbally threaten than being physically hurt, beside no sense in looking like a valuable target.

Sans soap an a proper shower, I prefer a dip in some fresh water to wash the majority of the stink off.
Now (vulgarity warning) for the balls, for the arm pits, you need some alcohol, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, or something. Plain old water ain't going to do it for a cyclist.

I carry Tucks hemorrhoid cooling pads for wiping (no I don't NEED them )

Dr. Bronners for washing myself, clothes, etc. The clothes I put into a 5 gallon bucket and use this to agitate i. The bucket also serves as food storage and a chair if I want to.

I shave with a wet shaving kit and I get my hair cut wherever available (buzz cut).

First I thought "THIS" in the note above was a toilet plunger.
But on second thought, if an ultra-light carbon fibre model could come in Left hand and Right hand drive, every bona fide tourer would want one.

I cycled for 3 months around Australia a number of years ago, and I went up to 5 days without showering or changing my cycling clothes ... depending on the availability of showers, laundry facilities, etc. I'm sure there were moments when I did not look or smell fresh and clean. But at no point did anyone treat me badly in any of the shops or cafes I went into, and at no point did anyone even hint that they thought I might be homeless.

I did, however, have a lot of people asking where I was from, where I was cycling to or from that day and over the course of the tour, and all sorts of interested and curious questions regarding my tour. So much so that I felt like I should have done up a small brochure which I could hand out!! But all the people who talked to me, and there were lots, seemed to know that I was a cycletourist visiting Australia ... and that I wasn't homeless.

I've encountered the same situations in Europe and Canada ... lots of people who know I'm on a cycling tour and who are interested in the details. And no one who has ever made any indication whatsoever that they think I might be homeless.

A few clues to vagrants who have bicycles:

1. They rarely ride, but push their bike.

2. Over the handlebars are an assortment of plastic bags with their "worldly possessions", not groceries, but often things they have picked up from others' rubbish.

3. Their hair will be long and dank, unkempt.

4. Their shoes, if they have them, will be really ratty.

5. Their clothes will be civvies, dirty, and likely stained with and smelling like urine.

6. If they do ride their bike, you will be able to hear it from a mile off because whatever lube on the chain disappeared years ago.

7. The bike itself will likely be old, of the Walmart style and grubby.

If you tour like that, then maybe you need to pick up your act for the sake of the image of touring cyclists everywhere.

By the way, I know this has been discussed ad infinitum here before, but anyone who is on a long tour and has rented or sold their normal abode is in fact homeless. I am sure nancy-sv doesn't regard herself and her family as vagrants, even though for the duration of their epic tour they re effectivelly homeless.

That's an interesting point of view Rowan. In Raleigh, NC we have an unfortunately high number of vagrants and homeless people who are former soldiers/veterans. I never judge them as they have my gratitude for service to their country and I have stopped, talked to them and offered some empathy and a sandwich on occasion. Most of the ones I've met have obvious mental illness or addictions (alcohol being the biggest). When you see one on a bike it is rather clean and well outfitted, but usually they smell a little and they have the signs of alcohol or substance abuse. Their military training shows in the way the walk and talk but something is definitely "wrong" to anyone that talks to them for any time. Many have been through the VA Hospitals, the Church shelters and the Homeless services of the local town and actually prefer to be on the street. They are very hard to help but they don't exactly match they characteristics you describe.

In places like Panama and other places that have lower median incomes, it is sometimes easy to confuse a plain "poor" person who is otherwise just a normal citizen with a "bum" or "transient". I have learned to talk with everyone before coming to any conclusions, often just buying them a soda or offering them a piece of candy. You'd be amazed the number of times I was initially wrong in my assessment. It has taught me to hold my tongue until I know more!

Cotton is great...if you are in a warm and dry area. In humid areas, it never dries out. Synthetics generally dry much faster and chafe less when they do get wet. Also, if it is cold, wet cotton will not keep you warm, but wool can keep you warm even when wet, an important consideration if you are exercising (and sweating) in cold weather. I've also noticed that sweaty cotton tends to start smelling really bad sooner than sweaty wool/synthetics. And wearing the same sweaty chamois two days in a row does suck, but its a hell of a lot better than wearing the same sweaty boxers two days in a row.

in the ultimate situations that i really have only sea/salt water to wash up with, i'll fall back to the lesson that i learnt in the army: medicated powder to dry off pretty much the whole body. it's as if i'm preparing myself with batter for the frying...

apart from looking all scary-white in the night-time, it does work and will usually drop off by the next day.

imi: Who pays $100 for a T shirt? I buy synthetic workout T's for $10 to $12 each at a low-end department store. They pack small, don't wrinkle, can be washed in a bathroom sink, dry overnight, and look good enough to wear out for dinner. I have a couple in hi-vis colors for bike safety and a couple in basic black for more formal occasions. I don't think my entire bike wardrobe cost $100, and that includes shoes (deep discount at MEC) and two pairs of mountain bike shorts (an online bargain).

This thread is a few months old, so I don't know if the interest in how to stay clean has waned. Just in case it hasn't, here's what I do. I can't stand to be with myself, never mind how i look and smell to others, if I can't shower or wash up daily and start each day with clean clothes. It's not that hard to do with a little planning and preparation.

I tend to stay in organized campgrounds for a couple of reasons. I like to stroll around the park in the evening meeting people and I like the access to showers and sinks. A lake is better than nothing if I can't find a shower. I can get decently clean anywhere as long as I have access to a decent source of water.

I carry a collapsible bucket like this:



It weighs a few ounces and folds up very small. I also carry some Sport Wash:





I carry the individual packets if I'm on a shortish tour. On a longer tour, I measure out the amount I want to carry from the bigger bottle and carry it in a small bottle. It only takes about 1/2 oz. of detergent per "load" in my collapsible sink.

I wear one set of clothes and carry one more (jersey, shorts, socks). All of the clothes are synthetic or wool, in the case of the socks. I also carry an off-bike pair of comfortable shorts and a t-shirt.

At the end of my riding day, I shower (or otherwise clean up) and change into my off-bike clothes for the evening. If there's no shower available, I can get decently clean with my collapsible bucket and my small soap. I can fill up the bucket and pour it over me to rinse off.

I wash my riding clothes for the day in a stopped up sink if one is available or in my collapsible bucket if necessary. I hang them on a piece of string at my camp to dry overnight. If they're not completely dry in the morning, I tie them on the top of my panniers while I ride the next day.

Rain is the only thing that creates issues for my routine. I can wash everything when it's rainy, but getting them dry is a problem. Forced air hand dryers in the bathrooms of campgrounds, restaurants, or gas stations are your friend in that situation... or stop at a laundromat.