Comments on: Commuting 101 : Don’t Have a Shower?

By: monlckhrt

monlckhrt — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:32:23 +0000

I always carry dry shampoo with me, it’s the best quick-fix I’ve found.

By: vjulie

vjulie — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:20:45 +0000

Everyone knows how uncomfortable it is going into work a bit sweaty, especially in the summer. To add to what Maranda said about dry shampoo, you can also sprinkle baby powder on your roots and comb it through to absorb the sweat and oil. With money tight it is hard to get a gym membership with just shower access, though it seems like it is the best option (especially if there is one close to your work!) However, through my employer I began to save money on my commute to work and with the money I save, I put towards a gym membership! It all works out in the end. You should check it out at http://www.commuternation.com. Best of luck!

By: Maranda

Maranda — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:07:15 +0000

I’ve heard that dry shampoo works well for absorbing the sweat and oil. Might be worth a try. If you’re actively commuting and have no way to rinse off I’d say keep you hair on the shorter side.

By: Tom Bowden

Tom Bowden — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:20:03 +0000

I don’t use cloth towels anymore. I have a synthetic chamois swim towel that rolls up in a plastic tube about the size of a big can of iced tea. It is incredibly effective and I wash it out in the shower each morning before using it to dry off. Occasionally it goes into the washing machine. If you wanted to, you could easily have two or three and cycle them so that one is always super clean and fresh. I haven’t tried sport wipes but I bet that the combination would be quite effective too. Possibly using a swim towel moistened by witch hazel to clean up, and then another with water, which is wrung out and then used to dry off would be a workable sustainable solution.

By: Shetha

Shetha — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:58:44 +0000

If I go slow on my 12.5 mi commute, I’d have to turn around and go back as soon as I got to work! I am lucky to have enough flexibility to leave after my childcare drop off, so I don’t squander what little time I have to go so far. I’m not Lance. I’ve just got a short time to go a long way, that’s all. To clean up I use a washcloth, soap, and water. I keep a spare stash of clothes at work, and sometimes carry clothes in my backpack. I have used the “olay” facial wipes before but they’re pretty spendy.

By: Mila

Mila — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:48:15 +0000

Any suggestions from girls about hair sweat? I can get mostly clean with wipes, but as mentioned above, hair traps sweat!

help!!

By: John

John — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:50:45 +0000

I have been commuting to work by cycling and/or running for a few years. I’m in Austin Texas and it gets HOT here, even in the morning. Sometimes I arrive so drenched in sweat, I can wring out my clothes (yes, they’re tech fabrics – which DO help). I never worry about it, though, because the following steps work extremely well:

1. I take a shower right before I leave home. BO doesn’t come from sweat, it comes from bacteria on your skin. Start clean and you have the problem half way solved.
2. When I get to work I allow for 15 minutes of cool down next to my desk fan. (Cut this step out and you end up getting your work clothes sweaty.)
3. I keep soap and deodorant at work. I take a quick sponge bath at the bathroom sink with the washcloth I packed in my panniers.
4. I carry work clothes in my panniers, if I cycled, or in my backpack if I ran it. I change and then I’m good to go for the day. If this didn’t work, believe me, my coworkers would let me know!

My wash up and change only takes about 10 minutes.

I use my commute to train for duathlons and trail races, so I push the pace and often arrive pretty sweaty and sometimes covered in mud.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:51:35 +0000

Unless you’re commuting year round, 30 miles per day in PDX. In that case it’s not really feasible. For the <5 mile flat summer commute i guess that would work fine. You're right about the Lance Armstrong affect though. Too many people get caught up in competitive commuting. Idiots the lot of 'em if you ask me. Take it easy and enjoy the ride I say.

By: jessie d

jessie d — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:56:36 +0000

I wouldn’t ride as frequently if i didn’t have a shower. not because i’m vain, but because I work at a ski resort and have to ride straight UPHILL for the last 4 miles. I never sweat so much! And I’m not allowed to wear hats at work (unless its my lame ‘uniform’ ball cap), so helmet hair needs to be addressed. Fortunately my office is a hotel room, so i have my own private full bathroom!
Oh how i miss my 1 mile commute I did on my cruiser bike!

By: Columbus Commuter

Columbus Commuter — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:09:15 +0000

On hot and humid mornings, I slow down a bit. I have showered before I leave so even if I work up a little sweat, I consider it clean sweat. As others have said I also keep clean clothes in the office and wear shorts and T-shirts, etc on the ride. A splash of water on face, hair comb, maybe a little deodorant and presto-chango I enter the nine to five work force. I have been bike commuting for six years, 12 mos. a year and I love it.