The Sweat Effect

TheJollyJimLad · June 2007

Dearest All

This has probably been covered countless times but I seek your counsel.

I cycle on a Brompton 5 miles to my local railway station followed by a 2 mile commute through London. I bought the Brommie, partly due to the draconian peak time train rules, partly because it could be stowed under a desk but also because I could get away with wearing normal clothing - or so I thought. You see, by the time I reach the station, my shirt usually looks as though I've taken a short cut through a car wash. I bought a front pannier kit a couple of days ago because a courier bag probably wasn't helping and I recently ripped muscles in my shoulder.

I was just wondering how other cycle commuters get round this problem?

How many boards would the Mongols hoard if the Mongol hordes got bored?

Martin rower7 · June 2007

I bought one of these -
http://www.eaglecreekluggage.co.uk/prod ... 153&cat=26

Does the job each day, and fits nicely in my bag.

........................

You're just jealous because the voices are talking to me.

il_principe · June 2007

Do you have a shower at work?

My Best Bike

TheJollyJimLad · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jashburnham

Do you have a shower at work?

My Best Bike
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Unfortunately not although I do take a wash kit to get the grime out of my face in the basin of the gents loos

How many boards would the Mongols hoard if the Mongol hordes got bored?

Tynancp · June 2007

a shower at work really is a godsend, got one thankfully, strolling to the desk fresh as a daisy after a cycle is a great feeling

5 miles ain't too far if you're fit surely?

ride in bike gear and dress at work, you'll have to clean up whatever you wear, at least your work clothes will be clean

Unknown · June 2007

I've a colleague who commutes in on a Brompton. He tends to wear a lot of woollen clothes which he can cycle in and then wear in the office. They seem to be fit for both purposes. He certainly doesn't smell.

I guess it depends on what you can get away with wearing at work, i.e. do you have to wear a formal shirt? (I work in a software company - formal shirts are frowned upon!)

miffedcp · June 2007

baby wipes

domtyler · June 2007

Just go slower in the mornings surely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Porridge not Petrol
________
OREGON DISPENSARY

Mister Paul · June 2007

If sweat is such a problem, then is there really a problem with wearing something synthetic on the way in and changing at work? You've got panniers now. Cotton shirts are the worst thing for sweat.

__________________________________________________________
What we need is a new, national White Bicycle Plan

ChrisKH · June 2007

JJL you're in the same position as me. I always cycle in cycle clothing or sufficiently casual that if I come off, get greasy, etc. it doesn't matter. I leave business clothes at work. I do have a shower to use at work, but don't often use it as I have cooled down on the train. I just make sure I shower before I leave home. Shirts I iron, fold flat and bring in by rucksack. If I sweated that much and had no shower I'd have a 'pikey wash*'at work

*'pikey wash' = copyright my brother in law; born in a caravan so he's a genuine one. Pikey wash is one bowel of water, one flannel, one towel,soap, etc,. shared between the occupants of one caravan........[xx(]

Baby elephants are so last year, darling.

TheJollyJimLad · June 2007

Thanks for all the comments. My job requires smart attire and the occasional day in a suit so it's probably best if I leave a suit at work and cycle in shorts and a T-Shirt now that summer is trying to be upon us. I've just bought a small microfibre towel from a camping shop to mop the brow (and other bits). Another factor (noted by domtyler)is that I used to race Mountain Bikes when I was in my teens and that wanting to chase people down thing still remains which is all good fun but problematic when I have a 9am meeting! I've got to learn to slow right down!

A company I used to work for had a shower, secure bike parking and automatic membership of the London Cycle Campaign if you were a cyclist or Liberty (The Civil Rights Campaign group) if you weren't. Those were the days!

And Chris - I'm all to familiar with the pikey wash now!

How many boards would the Mongols hoard if the Mongol hordes got bored?

richteacp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TheJollyJimLad

Unfortunately not although I do take a wash kit to get the grime out of my face in the basin of the gents loos
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
They must have a sink, surely.

--
esta elefante del beb‚ me molesta

Stig-OT-Dump · June 2007

There may be a gym or hotel with gym facilities near to where you work who would be happy to let you use showering facilities for a nominal charge.

If your occupation requires you to have an annual medical, you may also be able to get any gym membership added onto your tax code.

Adam_57 · June 2007

Cycle slowly.

If you keep to an average of say 10mph and take the last mile of each journey really easy, the effort is not much harder than walking so you are unlikely to sweat much.

Might take a bit longer, but time saved on showering, etc.

domtyler · June 2007

One other option that may be available is the disabled toilet. In my place this is actually a pretty large room with a sink and toilet in it. This would make it possible for you to have a complete strip wash and change in privacy.

Just don't do what I did a few months back. The lock is a bit dodgy. I was having a 'sit-down job' in there while getting changed to go home one evening, totally starkers apart from socks having just removed all my work clothes when some oik pulled the door and it came open. Well embarrassing! You have never seen me jump up faster I can tell you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Porridge not Petrol
________
New Relationship Advice Advice

whatstherush · June 2007

I asked the same question here a while back. I would also vote for really easing up on the last mile. I find if I don't cool down before I enter the office I break out in a red faced total body sweat almost immediately. Not a very comfortable way to start your day.

Remember you need to be doing the cycling equivalent of an easy stroll. You wouldn't expect to jog to work without breaking sweat, it's the same case with a brisk cycle. Unfortunately for me this tends to feel so slow that I may as well stop and walk but you get used to it.

The only alternative as others have said is a change of clothes and a wash.

Hackbike 6 · June 2007

I bought the Brommie, partly due to the draconian peak time train rules

How is it draconian?

Rules are made for a purpose on the railways believe it or not.

They are not there to upset the average passenger/customer.

Although with some of the stuff people want to believe about the railways I dont think anything surprises me anymore.

How is it fair for a person with a bike to get on a rush hour train?

It's not fair on other people.With the crap I read on this message board though nobody seems to have any consideration foer other people.

Yet more slagging off about the railways which is bought on by the gutter press again.(Who know **** all.)Sorry that should be they couldn't give a **** so long as it sells papers.

I never get on a train with my bike between 4pm and 9pm.

It's not fair on other people.

Morning doesn't apply as I never catch the train in with the bike.

If you make statements like this can you please include evidence to back up your clam and don't slag off the railways for the fun of it.

Yes I will have rant's like this as im sick and tired of the bull**** I hear.Twenty Five years of it.

Only trying to make a point from the other side.Rant Over.

Hackbike 8 Commuting Debut 09/09/2006Dawes Audax 2006 New 20/09/2006 

 Cycle Commuting since 1981 

Cycling Proficiency Test 24 May 1977 (30 years ago)

 Ride to work part 1 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/ypjapc
Ride to work part 2 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jfagu
Ride to work part 3 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jcldv 

How not to lock a bike. http://i14.tinypic.com/52355zr.jpg

TheJollyJimLad · June 2007

Wow Hackbike! Did Mr Grumpypants get up on the wrong side of bed this morning?

Campaign is a different area of the forum for that level of pompous rant!

How many boards would the Mongols hoard if the Mongol hordes got bored?

Hackbike 6 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TheJollyJimLad

Wow Hackbike! Did Mr Grumpypants get up on the wrong side of bed this morning?

Campaign is a different area of the forum for that level of pompous rant!

How many boards would the Mongols hoard if the Mongol hordes got bored?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oh it's a pompous rant because im trying to make a point?

No im just sick and tired of the same crap day after day.I see cyclists getting on my train when they shouldn't be.The rule is for a reason.

Why come out with an insult when im trying to make a point?

Hackbike 8 Commuting Debut 09/09/2006Dawes Audax 2006 New 20/09/2006 

 Cycle Commuting since 1981 

Cycling Proficiency Test 24 May 1977 (30 years ago)

 Ride to work part 1 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/ypjapc
Ride to work part 2 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jfagu
Ride to work part 3 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jcldv 

How not to lock a bike. http://i14.tinypic.com/52355zr.jpg

TheJollyJimLad · June 2007

Enjoy the sunshine Hackbike and don't sweat as much as I do!

How many boards would the Mongols hoard if the Mongol hordes got bored?

Hackbike 6 · June 2007

Thanks mate just trying to make a point.That is all.

Hackbike 8 Commuting Debut 09/09/2006Dawes Audax 2006 New 20/09/2006 

 Cycle Commuting since 1981 

Cycling Proficiency Test 24 May 1977 (30 years ago)

 Ride to work part 1 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/ypjapc
Ride to work part 2 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jfagu
Ride to work part 3 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jcldv 

How not to lock a bike. http://i14.tinypic.com/52355zr.jpg

domtyler · June 2007

Hackers, you need a holiday old mate. You seem to be working yourself up into a right old pickle lately. Life is too short, who knows you might be knocked over and killed by a red light jumping bus tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Porridge not Petrol
________
HEMP MARIJUANA

BentMikey · June 2007

I think Hackers has a point here. The only way the railways can be more accommodating to cyclists is to change something, such as extra carriages, to ensure that the other commuters aren't unfairly inconvenienced. The current situation sucks, sure.

My bikes
My skates

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.

spatter · June 2007

Cycle naked and leave your clothes at work.

Mosschops2 · June 2007

Thanks to Spatter there for bring it back OT!!!!

Have you ever tried pressing Alt+F4 ??

Hackbike 6 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by domtyler

Hackers, you need a holiday old mate. You seem to be working yourself up into a right old pickle lately. Life is too short, who knows you might be knocked over and killed by a red light jumping bus tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Porridge not Petrol
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sorry mate I've had twenty five years of this.People really don't know.It's not really acceptable to put bikes on rush hour trains and im under the impression people seem to think trains are run late just to inconvenience them.Rules are made up for the fun of it and all that bollox.I always give 110% to my job and it's not nice to be walking up a train and getting slagged off and abused due to some of the crap that the papers spout.

Hackbike 8 Commuting Debut 09/09/2006Dawes Audax 2006 New 20/09/2006 

 Cycle Commuting since 1981 

Cycling Proficiency Test 24 May 1977 (30 years ago)

 Ride to work part 1 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/ypjapc
Ride to work part 2 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jfagu
Ride to work part 3 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jcldv 

How not to lock a bike. http://i14.tinypic.com/52355zr.jpg

Hackbike 6 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by BentMikey

I think Hackers has a point here. The only way the railways can be more accommodating to cyclists is to change something, such as extra carriages, to ensure that the other commuters aren't unfairly inconvenienced. The current situation sucks, sure.

My bikes
My skates

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The biggest pains are that trains don't really have a brakevan although the Desiro's have been designed with a bike space and the four slide slides (455's)1980's built trains have been refurbished and now include bike spaces as well.

Trouble with bikes in the rush hour on my railway is everyone is commuting to and from work at the same time.

Hackbike 8 Commuting Debut 09/09/2006Dawes Audax 2006 New 20/09/2006 

 Cycle Commuting since 1981 

Cycling Proficiency Test 24 May 1977 (30 years ago)

 Ride to work part 1 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/ypjapc
Ride to work part 2 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jfagu
Ride to work part 3 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jcldv 

How not to lock a bike. http://i14.tinypic.com/52355zr.jpg

mjones · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Adam_57

Cycle slowly.

If you keep to an average of say 10mph and take the last mile of each journey really easy, the effort is not much harder than walking so you are unlikely to sweat much.

Might take a bit longer, but time saved on showering, etc.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
It isn't always practicable to ride slowly. There are lots of roads where you need to keep up with the traffic; going slow enough to avoid sweating will simply incur the increased wrath of drivers stuck behind you and make it difficult to get round roundabouts etc in a safe position.

Greenbank · June 2007

Y'know, the above sounds suspiciously like a S*f* Sp**d argument.

--
If I had a baby elephant signature, I'd use that.

TheJollyJimLad · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Greenbank

Y'know, the above sounds suspiciously like a S*f* Sp**d argument.

--
If I had a baby elephant signature, I'd use that.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Not quite. S***S****ers sweat through stress chasing down the next traffic queue wheras we sweat through sheer enjoyment passing them. [:)]

How many boards would the Mongols hoard if the Mongol hordes got bored?

mjones · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Greenbank

Y'know, the above sounds suspiciously like a S*f* Sp**d argument.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Fundamental difference: the SS argument is from the position of those imposing the aggression and intimidation on other road users; whereas my comment was from the perspective of those on the receiving end...

The Sweat Effect

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