How to not arrive so sweaty..

[cycle_bug]

I've been practicing my commute for leisure reasons over the past week, as well as working 40 hours a week!

But something bothering me every time I successfully arrive at my destination is I look wrecked. Sweat on my forehead and chin. Hair messy from the helmet. Thankfully I don't smell but it's probably not far off!

What tips do you have to try and either avoid or deal with this? Or do I just have to face reality?

p.s. I've been cycling in a waterproof coat (not intended for cycling), full length tracksuits and with a backpack on my back.

 

[summerdays]

Set off feeling cool... So that it takes a couple of miles to start to feel warm. Don't push too hard, give yourself a little more time. And I think as you get a little more used to it you will sweat less.

This last week I don't think I've wore a waterproof once... And I've been in shorts and bare arms. It's been warm in NI from bits I saw in the news so I'd say you are wearing too much, I'm not in a waterproof at this time of year unless it's raining.

Get a pannier rack and bags and that will help with a sweaty back!

 

[jefmcg]

Don't wear a waterproof coat and tracksuit and get a rack.

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^^^^^^^^^+1

 

[Julia9054]

I keep a towel, babywipes and a hairdryer at work. (As well as the advice above)

 

[MichaelW2]

p.s. I've been cycling in a waterproof coat (not intended for cycling), full length tracksuits and with a backpack on my back.

Why wear a coat? Are you cold? is it raining?
Save a waterproof for heavier rain. Get a non-waterproof windproof for cooler weather.
You can ride comfortably in our UK summer conditions without sweating just by adjusting your clothing.
For rides under 10 miles you don't really need specialist cycling gear. A wicking T shirt, some casual shorts or hiking trousers or closer fitting tracksuit bottoms (Ron Hill tracksters or bikesters), a light fleece midlayer and a windproof are good for the current mid-teens temperatures.
Backpacks are OK for short journeys but for longer ones, fit a rear luggage rack and pannier bags. Most commuters only carry one pannier bag on one side.
If you don't have a shower at work, take one before you leave.
Ride at a moderate pace.
Slow down and roll along for the last few hundred m, to cool down more effectively than you can standing still.
On hotter days, splash some water over your head, neck on your cooldown.

Adjust your haircut for helmet wearing. Don't forget gloves or fingerless mitts as safety gear.

 

[cosmicbike]

First off set your pace for the commute, and lower your efforts unless you can shower at the end. My commutes in are slower than my regular pace for this reason, though I just found out we have a shower...
Ditch the rucksack, and get a rack with pannier. They don't have to be expensive.
Incorporate a decent cool down. I usually do the last mile at a much reduced pace to cool things off, makes a remarkable difference.
Dress appropriately. This time of year it's shorts and a wicking top, regular t-shirts don't cut it.
If all else fails then baby wipes and a Scottish shower on arrival..

 

[RoubaixCube]

Just leaving a little input as I have commuted using a rack/panniers & Deuter Race EXP backpack/rucksack. the Race EXP makes cycling with a rucksack bearable for shorter to mid length journeys - 10-20miles is fine with one of those so long as you dont need to carry a huge amount of stuff.

If you dont wish to go for a rack then id recommend getting something like a Carradice Super C saddlebag with a bagman mount as it holds 23ltr's which is a lot bigger than it sounds. It wont carry paperwork, a laptop or a change of shoes but it will carry odds and ends and a change of clothes providing you fold them neatly before packing.

Currently still using my Deuter backpack but since i have spare SQL mounts for my Carradice i might make the switch over as i dont need to carry a huge amount of stuff anyway.

 

[Lonestar]

Drop the temprature by twenty degrees.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Ditch the big clothes. Thin layers are better for temp regulation than effectively a duvet or a plastic bag. A Soft-shell jacket is far far more breathable and comfy to wear and still has enough water and wind resistance for 90+% of the weather you'll ever meet.
If you don't want to look bikey at all then consider Merino wool, t-shirt or jumper wicks sweat and doesn't smell and works well as an underlayer. Can.be costly but you can get good VFM effective merino in Decathlon and general outdoor/hiking shops.

Go for rack and panniers or a saddlebag over a backpack, at the very least consider a backpack that sits off your back to allow airflow. Or maybe a satchel type over one shoulder and sits to your side bike bag/musette.

Entirely up to your own preference but if you have problems of head sweats & presentability after riding in a helmet then maybe consider not using it for a ride or two and see how you feel without.
A headband, buff or cycling cap can soak up forehead sweat, are less insulating and easier washed if you do feel the need for something on your head.

Consider how long you want to spend on the bike and maybe take longer at a slower pace or vary your route to get the most even and gentle gradients to minimise peaks and troughs in exertion and spikes in heart rate / body temp.

Some people, me including, just naturally run warm, it may be that you have to minimise sweatiness on the bike but still have to have a clean up routine for at work, a shower is ideal but wet wipes and a decent travelling miceofibre towel with deodorant will do for a sink wash and keeping your colleagues sweet.

 

[speccy1]

Don`t ride

 

[jefmcg]

I assume you are getting changed at work (unless you are a personal trainer, I hope you don't wear a tracksuit all day). Don't get changed straight away, you will still be sweating when you get off your bike. Wait until you are quite cooled down, then change. Baby wipes, if needed, for freshness, and top up with deodorant.

 

[mjr]

Sweat on my forehead and chin. Hair messy from the helmet. Thankfully I don't smell but it's probably not far off!

What tips do you have to try and either avoid or deal with this? Or do I just have to face reality?

p.s. I've been cycling in a waterproof coat (not intended for cycling), full length tracksuits and with a backpack on my back.

Personally, I ride gently, don't wear a helmet, only wear a waterproof if it's raining at this time of year, favour natural fabrics and strap a satchel or haversack to the luggage rack instead of wearing a bag (unless I've bought lots of shopping on my way home). Riding gently is probably the biggest factor, though not all roads make that easy.

 

[mustang1]

I've been practicing my commute for leisure reasons over the past week, as well as working 40 hours a week!

What tips do you have to try and either avoid or deal with this? Or do I just have to face reality?

p.s. I've been cycling in a waterproof coat (not intended for cycling), full length tracksuits and with a backpack on my back.

Mistake number 2:
p.s. I've been cycling in a waterproof coat (not intended for cycling

Mistake number 3:
full length tracksuits

Mistake number 4:
and with a backpack on my back

Btw mistake number 1 was riding a bike in the first place.

Just kidding. Kind of. You have to ride at a sweet spot speed, minimal effort versus wind cooling you down. The rain coat won't help with that and the backpack will get you a sweaty back.

So what you gonna do? I haven't read the other responses but if guess someone must have mentioned panniers by now. Get mudguards too and a lighter breathable jacket. Can't beat a shower at the end of a ride though.

 

[si_c]

Nothing to add here, already been said above.