Got Bike… No Shower… Any Ideas?
First, I thought I would share this pic with you from my ride on Saturday. I got in a great 70 miles. But I consumed 144 ounces of fluids… it was HOT. I mean really… look what it did to my wheel.
The good news… it’s cooling down and it should be nice as I ride my bike to work tomorrow (Tuesday). It is Bike To Work Week and there’s even a Smart Commute Challenge in the Triangle. That will also be a plus because we don’t have a shower at work. So, once I get to the station… I’ll cool down a bit and then figure out the best way to “freshen up”. That’s where you come in. I’m looking for suggestions like: extra deodorant… baby wipes, etc. What Are Your Ideas? I have to to put on a suit and tie and be presentable enough when I anchor the 6pm newscast. Whatever the outcome… viewers are safe as “smellivision” isn’t here yet. My co-workers… however… are hoping you come up with some good ideas.
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Good idea KRISTIN… REI must have a no shower option kind of wipe… for camping/hiking. The hair wash in the sink is a given.
If washing your hair and getting it dry poses a challenge (which it does for me when I go to the gym on my lunch break), you can always try dry shampoo. You spray it on and it soaks up the oil and sweat, leaving you good as new. And, as far as wipes at REI: http://www.rei.com/product/750942.
MELISSA– Good suggestions! I’ll check it out… maybe it would be interesting to give them all a go and share my thoughts on how well it all works. Thanks!
I don’t have to do the whole suit and tie thing, but otherwise I have the same issue. I keep deodorant on hand and have a clean, dry set of clothes at the office, and it works pretty well provided I give myself time to stop sweating and cool off before changing. Also my wife picked up the “Kafka’ Kool Tie” from REI (http://www.rei.com/product/691097) for me, and I was surprised to find that it actually makes a significant difference in how overheated I get on the way to work. It also seems to leach water on to the back of my shirt, so a dry shirt is that much more important, but it’s been a big help. It also helps that I don’t push too hard or go too fast, but I know some people are into this for the workout as much as anything, so that might not help.
There’s nothing like getting dowsed with clean cool water to rinse off the funk and bring the body temp down. Bring a large plastic cup to empty over your head (and as much else as you can) while stading over the sink in the bathroom. Retire to a stall to wipe down and change if you don’t have any other convenient place. I wear a backpack when I ride to work so I can bring a towel and my office clothes. Maybe you want an extra towel to clean up the sink and floor cuz you’re gonna splash. A rear panier or rack gives you a place for your pack other than your sweaty back. On hot days though, I get someone to drive me and my bike to work. Then I pedal home. Nothing beats getting to the office clean in the first place!
ROB and KEN– Good ideas… I don’t think I’m going to be able to get to REI before I ride tomorrow. But you both have given some good suggestions. I do have a towel and a wash cloth that I can use with the sink. I will have to lock the door for sure even thought it’s a large bathroom. I don’t want any sneaky newsroom co-workers posting some funny video of the cycling news anchor washing up in the sink. Thanks again guys… Ride Strong!
Febreze…
But what about that wheel??? Is that just distortion from the shot? Or did you seriously mess up your wheel?
I’ve found that if I shower right before I ride, and wear clean clothes to ride, and change out of the sweaty clothes as soon as I get where I’m going, I don’t have a smell issue. Sweat is not smelly in and of it’s self – its when your dead skin cells get soaked and hot and start to decompose.
I commute by bike most days when its above 45 degrees. Around 35 miles round trip. Luckily now I work somewhere that has showers and I can completely wash up and fellow co-workers don’t have to avoid me(or my smell). I leave my shoes and belt at the office and just carry my daily change of clothes in a messenger bag. Before the luxury I have now, I did everything from birdbaths in the bathroom sink to moist baby wipes to clean up. The big key is allowing your body to cool down before you clean up, so you are not still sweating when wiping down.
UNCADAN8– Febreze… good thought. As for the wheel… It’s just an effect from the shutter on my cell phone camera… pretty cool to look at it… glad the wheel didn’t look like that in real life.
DWIGHT– Seems like I got your advice before my ride… I did exactly that… and it did help!
BRENT– I was fortunate that the temp was 53 degrees when I started… and didn’t warm up too much. I just posted my update with video and info… I used the birdbath option, wipes, etc. Not bad at all! Well worth it.. in fact!
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doesn’t some company make those fresh up wipes…like if you can’t shower…you can use those wipes. I def recommend bringing deoderant though.
wash your hair in the sink her too!