Question for the girls

[Willow]

My hair is a right sticky uppy mess from under the helmet, but I travel on a dual carriageway for much of the way and feel it is sensible to wear it although I hate it.

Very disappointed this morning geared up to ride then children not ready for school in time for me to cycle. I lost 20 mins and didn't want to risk cycling. The reality is I could still have made it as it only takes about 20 mins longer than the car. Once I've done it a few more times leaving a bit later probably won't bother me but I got my self into a stressed state and am now fed up because it's such a lovely morning and I haven't had the satisfaction of making it! On the plus side I bought a nice fluffy towel in and some clothes so I won't be quite so creased up this week.

 

[Priscilla Parsley]

I know what its like when you're in a flap, however I find the best cure is to get on the bike as its a great de-stresser, especially after work when your flying past those folk in their cars stuck in a queue, there are times when I have used public transport because i fancied relaxing or being lazy or want to arrive sans sweat, but find that I always regret it and just get wound up by all the factors that go with it, late buses, scrotes playing music on their mobile phones etc so that I always use my bike now for absolutely everything.

 

[radger]

I tend to arrive at work with the appearance of a roast tomato, and this from a nearly all downhill/flat commute. I don't often ride in to my current work, as there is no shower, and I *need* a shower when I get in, as I am unable to take it easy.
When I worked somewhere with a shower, I would have a cup of coffee before I'd shower - let myself cool down a bit, check my emails, then shower when I had stopped feeling like I was about to burst into flames.

 

[summerdays]

Once I've done it a few more times leaving a bit later probably won't bother me but I got my self into a stressed state and am now fed up because it's such a lovely morning and I haven't had the satisfaction of making it!

Once it becomes part of the routine it becomes very quick getting the bike out, and knowing what time to yell at the kids etc. And you will get used to how much time you need to get to work normally (then when its all gone wrong thats when you pedal like mad.

 

[GrahamG]

I'm with radger - just can't seem to take it easy so I'd just sit at my desk for 30 minutes in my shorts/t-shirt and cool off before showering. If I didn't do that then I'd just be sweating into my clean shirt utnil cooling off properly!

 

[Priscilla Parsley]

few work places offer showers though, I don't think a shower is essential unless you really push yourself, I have found that if I am squeaky clean, wear lots of sweat spray and clean clothes, I don't stink. my commute is only 7 miles but I do make an effort and I find I am fine. When Mr Parsley had a 16 mile hilly commute he didnt have a shower facilities either, just tried to freshen up best he could and changed into work clothes.

hmmm not sure i should admit to being such a Sweaty Betty but as long as I don't stink I dont care

Once the tomato face has gone I think the pink cheeks look pretty

 

[HelenD123]

My place doesn't have a shower that's convenient either but I don't find I get very sweaty on my flat 8 miles. A quick wipe with a baby wipe to freshen up does the trick.

 

[Willow]

So those of you who don't shower, do you or don't you wear a helmet and what does your hair look like when you get there.

Many years ago in a previous life I used to cycle and not shower but that was before the days of helmets.

 

[Priscilla Parsley]

no, no helmet, the hair is never as perfectly blow dried as it is prior to leaving the house and hair is a bit sweaty, but if you have a good cut and apply high heat when you blow dry, it should be ok, ok not pristine- some thing has got to give I suppose. I am quite vain but I find I let my standards slip at work a bit.

 

[Baggy]

I don't usually wear a helmet, but even if I do I'm lucky as my hair is extremely well-behaved (longer now than in the avatar) and just needs to cool down and have a quick comb to restore order.

We do have hairdryers so I often give my hair a blast on the cool setting which helps my face as well!

Our showers are grimy and there are no facilities for drying towels etc so I don't really like using them, tend instead to pat any sweaty bits with a paper towel, stick on some extra deodorant and hope for the best. My commute is also a flat 8 miles - any longer or hillier and I'd want to shower.

However, if I've got any full-on meetings I tend to drive in - this reduces the chances of me arriving having forgotten either my pants, tights or an appropriate top!

 

[Willow]

I was very glad I had taken in spare undies at the beginning of last week when I arrived without any on Friday!

so do you non helmeters cycle on busy roads?

 

[Plax]

I tend to have a shower if it has been raining or particularly cold, otherwise I tend to just use baby wipes along with the usual deoderant and perfume as it's quicker and less hassle (moved offices and had to give up my locker by the shower - the locker I've wangled now is a lot smaller so no good for hanging wet towels up in, I can just about squeeze a pannier in!).
I wear a helmet, but my hair is long and lifeless (too fine & straight, no body whatsoever). So I can get away with putting my hair up in a bobble / hair grip.

 

[Baggy]

My commute is busy rural A roads and nice riverside shared use path, but I've happily ridden on all kinds of roads in all kinds of conditions. I tend to avoid dual carriageways where possible though as they're just horrid.

I have a stash of spare undies and trousers but am not quite organised to extend this as far as tights and a top yet! I've had to suffer through one day of wearing my cycling top all day - luckily it was a fleece number instead of my bright red and yellow one emblazoned with "Caution Hill Slug".

 

[Baggy]

This thread has now turned into showerless confessions of a cycle commuter I salute you all!

 

[Willow]

You're right about the roads Baggy trouble is for some reason once I get out of our village there isn't much choice unless I take a 4 mile d tour up over the downs which at the moment I don't have time (or probably the energy) to do. There are plenty of bridle paths which could be made into cycle routes linking through quite a lot of National Trust land but as they are at the moment they would not be doable due to the frequency of gates, long grass in summer and mud in winter. shame really because it is such lovely countryside just that the main road goes right through it!