Question for the girls

[dudi]

my favourite way to cool down of a morning is just to stand outside for a while. I too suffer from a bit of a red face after exercise. but like others have said, my colleagues have come used to it and probably expect it.

They always notice if i get the bus in, and i feel like i let them down a little bit.

 

[MessenJah]

Dip your face in cold water for a few minutes after your shower.

 

[Twiggy]

Dip your face in cold water for a few minutes after your shower.

Just remember to come up for air every so often, blue isn't a good colour on most people either.

But I'd agree with the overall statements of "take the ride at a more relaxed pace". It's so easy to push yourself and get tired/red faced, try and relax a bit, switch down a gear and watch the sights go by.

 

[Flyingfox]

I have managed the commute twice this week, really enjoyed it and school trips for children permitting will hopefully do it 3/4 times a week from now on. There is a shower at work albeit somewhat puny, I don't think I could do the trip otherwise. My main problem apart from very creased skirts (will probably leave couple of standard black/grey ones in office to avoid this problem) is the very red complexion I end up with (understatement). I am not someone who wears much make up so whaever I do wear wouldn't camoflauge this colour. Does any one have any tips or ideas please.

Hi Willow, well done on the commuting. I too get very red in the face, but find as I become fitter my 'cool down' period become less and less, drinking water along the way also helps. When I get to work I don't jump in the shower straight away, and let my body cool naturally for 5-10 mins switching on my computer/reading emails etc. then go and have a shower.
My colleagues have even stoppped commenting on it, as for makeup I find a bit of mascara and lippy does the trick.

 

[wafflycat]

They key is to take it easy, allow a bit more time so that when you get there, you can have the time to freshen up and cool off so the redness fades.

 

[Willow]

It's not easy to take it easy on my route up and down hills all the way so need to pedal fast down to make it up the other side. coming home a couple of times I've founds myself thinking good that's the last hill and I reach the brow and there's a nother bugger to go!

Guess they'll soon get used to sequence

 

[wafflycat]

Gears... use your gears! Low gears, sit and spin up the hill.

 

[rootes]

I am not someone who wears much make up so whaever I do wear wouldn't camoflauge this colour. Does any one have any tips or ideas please.

if you do it regular - then people will just get used to you/way you look.

I also go and have a nice cup of tea, turn the computer on, before getting in the shower - gives you a chance to cool down..

 

[fossyant]

A commute is not a time trial. This took me a while to really understand, but its true... you don't have to push yourself hard all the way. You can, if you want, but you don't have to.

Push and push harder....who said it's not.............eye balls out all the time !

 

[wafflycat]

The other thing to remember is that if the hill is too hard there is absolutely no shame in getting off the bike & walking it for a while.

 

[Willow]

Nope can manage the hills ok. On the way back I can be a bit more leisurely on the way I feel the need to get there. I can't leave earlier becuase have 2 boys at home to kick out first both of whom are now cycling to school (age 10 and 11). As an aside DS1 got back to his bike Friday (first day he had ridden to school) a lad asked him if it was his bike and then apologised, he thought it was someone elses and he had released the quick release brakes!!! On the plus side he did help put them back mummy was somewhat suprised that someone could be such a pt.

 

[fossyant]

The other thing to remember is that if the hill is too hard there is absolutely no shame in getting off the bike & walking it for a while.

Oh the shame... you can't get off and walk.......no.....no.....no

 

[Willow]

Unless I haven't got that inner tube yet!

 

[Pompey Princess]

I know what you mean but unless I have a meeting, I just sit and look a bit hot and horrid for about 30 minutes, then I'm OK!! If I have a meeting, I cheat and cycle to the train station (third of a mile), then from the station the other end to work it's just over 1 mile so less horrid looking!!!

 

[Priscilla Parsley]

For me the more commuting I did the less I cared, In my last job i used to get off my bike in my put me heels on and nip to the loo apply a bit of sweat spray and go into the meeting, and even represented my company in court after rocking on up on my bike, (although I sensed that people took me less seriously some times because I was a cyclist and thought I was a bit of a kook.) Got to say though I do skip the helmet as I have a nice bob haircut.