Avoiding the sweat monster!

[Debian]

Half an hour to shower? Practice, time yourself, use CYCLOGS and buy yourself a shower computer, and you should be able to get this down to 10 minutes. It will take practice, and will be difficult to start with, but once you get the hang of it, get a rhythm going and review where you can shave off precious minutes, the time you take will drop dramatically.

Seriously, though:

If you roll your clothes rather than fold them. Then put them in a plastic bag (even more important if you polish your shoes regularly), and they should be very wearable when you get to work.

Shower time at work is inevitably much greater than at home. By the time I've collected my towel, change of clothes, toiletries, trudged to the shower, showered, dressed, walked back to office, put cycling clothes away it's a good half hour. At home everything is to hand, I just fall out of bed, into shower and back out; everything's to hand and it takes me ten minutes. So with the best will in the world a work shower is 20 minutes longer than at home

There's no way I can get all sweaty and then be comfortable at work without a shower, hair is the worst, sweaty, lanky, helmet-head which then dries to an unkempt greasy-looking mess!

Rolling clothes is a good tip, I'd forgotten that one from my camping days.

 

[ttcycle]

I have an 8 mile commute to work and sadly no showers at work- didn't find this to be a problem though. Though I know cyclists who found wet wipes really useful.

I would second the rolling of clothes and leaving what you needed to at work ie shoes etc.

EDIT: couldn't do it without cycle specific clothing as it was a nightmare when I used to commute - by the end of it I was a soggymess- sweating - it's the body's way of regulating temps so best to let it get on with it.

 

[ttcycle]

I have an 8 mile commute to work and sadly no showers at work- didn't find this to be a problem though. Though I know cyclists who found wet wipes really useful.

I would second the rolling of clothes and leaving what you needed to at work ie shoes etc.

EDIT: couldn't do it without cycle specific clothing as it was a nightmare when I used to commute - by the end of it I was a soggymess- sweating - it's the body's way of regulating temps so best to let it get on with it.

 

[johnr]

When our shower was being refurbished I used Rocket Shower for a couple of weeks. It was alright. Certainly - there was talk of them bringing out waterless shampoo as well.

I agree, the correct clothes are essential. Merino wool base layer would be my top tip. I was late in to work one day last week and had to forego shower. I didn't feel too comfortable for the first hour, but wasn't offending colleagues with sporty odours.

 

[johnr]

When our shower was being refurbished I used Rocket Shower for a couple of weeks. It was alright. Certainly - there was talk of them bringing out waterless shampoo as well.

I agree, the correct clothes are essential. Merino wool base layer would be my top tip. I was late in to work one day last week and had to forego shower. I didn't feel too comfortable for the first hour, but wasn't offending colleagues with sporty odours.

 

[Debian]

I have to say I've never used cycle specific clothes, ever, whether for commuting or leisure riding. Never really been convinced of the need, apart from padded shorts.

What would you recommend as a cycling outfit for commuting then?

 

[Debian]

I have to say I've never used cycle specific clothes, ever, whether for commuting or leisure riding. Never really been convinced of the need, apart from padded shorts.

What would you recommend as a cycling outfit for commuting then?

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

hair is the worst, sweaty, lanky, helmet-head which then dries to an unkempt greasy-looking mess!

You asked "How do others deal with this?" so I shall show you...

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

hair is the worst, sweaty, lanky, helmet-head which then dries to an unkempt greasy-looking mess!

You asked "How do others deal with this?" so I shall show you...

 

[ttcycle]

baselayer that wicks sweat and is of technical material or merino wool for warmth. - a jersey on top of that and if you're prone to coldness like I am - a gilet and or light fleece on top with a waterproof jacket-though some need less layers.

Padded shorts or longs in this weather and if you don't like the lycra look - some baggier shorts on top to protect your modesty.

Then there's gloves, a buff for the neck and a little thin hat for under the helmet

That's the 101 basics anyway -it can be costly at first but worth it for the dryer feeling you get once you're in work

Do a search or look in bikes, kit and clothing for ideas and items

 

[ttcycle]

baselayer that wicks sweat and is of technical material or merino wool for warmth. - a jersey on top of that and if you're prone to coldness like I am - a gilet and or light fleece on top with a waterproof jacket-though some need less layers.

Padded shorts or longs in this weather and if you don't like the lycra look - some baggier shorts on top to protect your modesty.

Then there's gloves, a buff for the neck and a little thin hat for under the helmet

That's the 101 basics anyway -it can be costly at first but worth it for the dryer feeling you get once you're in work

Do a search or look in bikes, kit and clothing for ideas and items

 

[jimboalee]

Unavoidable. Water comes out of you at a rate of 1 cm^3 per 4.1 kcals used.

The secret is to ride SO SLOW that all the water gets out via your exhaled breath.
You can breath out the equivalent of your BMR, 1.15 kCals/min. That's 20 Watts, or 6 mph on a 'reasonably priced bike'.

 

[jimboalee]

Unavoidable. Water comes out of you at a rate of 1 cm^3 per 4.1 kcals used.

The secret is to ride SO SLOW that all the water gets out via your exhaled breath.
You can breath out the equivalent of your BMR, 1.15 kCals/min. That's 20 Watts, or 6 mph on a 'reasonably priced bike'.

 

[Debian]

baselayer that wicks sweat and is of technical material or merino wool for warmth. - a jersey on top of that and if you're prone to coldness like I am - a gilet and or light fleece on top with a waterproof jacket-though some need less layers.

Padded shorts or longs in this weather and if you don't like the lycra look - some baggier shorts on top to protect your modesty.

Then there's gloves, a buff for the neck and a little thin hat for under the helmet

That's the 101 basics anyway -it can be costly at first but worth it for the dryer feeling you get once you're in work

Do a search or look in bikes, kit and clothing for ideas and items

Thanks.

Hate the "lycra look" but do most of what you say already although not with cycle clothing, I tend to buy stuff from places like Blacks and Millets. Apart from paddies shorts or pants.

 

[Debian]

baselayer that wicks sweat and is of technical material or merino wool for warmth. - a jersey on top of that and if you're prone to coldness like I am - a gilet and or light fleece on top with a waterproof jacket-though some need less layers.

Padded shorts or longs in this weather and if you don't like the lycra look - some baggier shorts on top to protect your modesty.

Then there's gloves, a buff for the neck and a little thin hat for under the helmet

That's the 101 basics anyway -it can be costly at first but worth it for the dryer feeling you get once you're in work

Do a search or look in bikes, kit and clothing for ideas and items

Thanks.

Hate the "lycra look" but do most of what you say already although not with cycle clothing, I tend to buy stuff from places like Blacks and Millets. Apart from paddies shorts or pants.