Cycling to work

zoos

Hi was just wondering about people who cycle to work.
I want to start cycling to work, but I am worried about being gross and sweaty when I get in. Dont think there are showers in work.
Is this a massive problem for people?

Also is there ever times when you leave the office and can barely make it home from being too knackered from the day?

LDB

I don't have showers in my office and cycle 12k in. It's grand, I wear good cycling gear and bring a full change of clothes.

Personally I'm never too tired to cycle home, it's a nice wind down after a day in the office.

Go for it!

davidsatelle100

where you coming from going to

scottreynolds

I use a local gym showers but there are showers as well in my building.

zoos

zoos wrote: »

Also is there ever times when you leave the office and can barely make it home from being too knackered from the day?

The cycle home is what I look forward to at the end of the day!

blorg

If you don't have showers best thing is just to cycle a bit slower. It's easier if you are reasonably fit to go faster while avoiding the sweating, so exercise on weekends would help. But plenty of normal people cycle to work in normal clothes without showers at the end all over Europe. Showers are certainly nice and an incentive to cycle but they are not strictly necessary.

petethedrummer

zoos wrote: »

I want to start cycling to work, but I am worried about being gross and sweaty when I get in. Dont think there are showers in work.

Is this a massive problem for people?

I don't have shower in work either. I wear cycling clothes for the commute in and try not to push to hard. I towel myself down and leave deodorant and change of clothes in work. It's not perfect, but I don't think I stink.

zoos wrote: »

Also is there ever times when you leave the office and can barely make it home from being too knackered from the day?

Quite the opposite, the cycle in the morning wakes me up first thing in the morning and when I get home, I actually feel like doing things.

Alanstrainor

I cycle a measly 8km to work, which is without showers, i wear my cycling gear and bring in my full set of clothes and change in there, i find it's grand. i tend to take it a tiny bit easier in the mornings to not end up incredibly sweaty when i arrive in. I just change, wipe myself donw with a towel, and spray on deodorant, never have any issues. The cycle home is when i pull out all the stops and go for it, i love it!, and have my shower when i get home. Sometimes i wish there were showers but ah well, theres not much i can do really.

zoos

I am cycling from stillorgan into baggot street.
I think it is around 5 miles.
I wouldn't be the fittest at the moment, but bought a bike and i have started cycling a bit the evenings.
But it is my lenten promise that I am going to try and keep to to get fit and healthy but I reckon when I start I will be in bits when I arrive into work. and my colleagues will be steering clear of me! haha

aphex™

Get a breathable cycling jacket. That will help. I leave suit jacket in work, never cycle anywhere in it.

You might find your commute is downhill on the way in, so you get less sweaty. if you're uphill on the way home, you can always get into the shower when you get home.

blorg

As aphex says you are lucky to be commuting in that direction, it's all downhill on the way in. Cycle clothing is more comfortable, so ideally wear that, take it easy on the way in and change in work.

petethedrummer

Don't wear cotton t-shirts, get a proper cycling or sports top. cotton keeps a hold of moisture, gets you cold and takes for ever to dry.

Morgan

blorg wrote: »

As aphex says you are lucky to be commuting in that direction, it's all downhill on the way in. Cycle clothing is more comfortable, so ideally wear that, take it easy on the way in and change in work.

For a five mile cycle? He'll spend longer changing outfits than cycling.

Just hop on the bike, don't overdress (i.e. it's OK to feel cold at the beginning of the ride) and you'll be fine.

daroadlescycled

Sweathing can be a problem.:eek: If I wear a knapsack on my back I find I sweat alot, so a rack on the bike is a must.Even if you have a shower you need to cool down somewhat before you shower or you will find you sweat again after leaving the shower. I shower some times and if I'm tight on time I cool down and towel and heap on the spray. It seems to work fine. I hear the compression tops that the rugby boys wear are supposed to be good to keep you dry. Hope you get your bike soon. For me its a new bike :pac: for commuting 22km each way with racks and mud guards lights , and hopin the cycle to work scheme will be implemented. Just on safety I use a helmet mirror, I think it is hugely beneficial, I never have to look around while on the bike I have full view of what's happening behind me all the time. As far as been knackered in th evening I find a few Jaffa cakes or Neutri grain bars excellent taken 20 mins before you cycle.

Civilian_Target

I dunno, I was doing an 11km commute in London (35 mins usually, a lot of stop-go) and found I always got sweaty.

There were no showers, but I got by. I usually wore shorts and t-shirt for the cycle. When I arrived, put on trousers over the shorts, took off the t-shirt (and locked it to the bike), towelled down with a hand towel, used some de-odourant, and put on a shirt.

I'm told I smelt fine, but in software engineering, I suspect the scent-standards are lower than many other professions

Canis Lupus

if your commute isn't too long and you don't push you'll get by. I have a desk fan so as soon as I get in it's on for 10-15 mins to cool me off. If you can use one then buy one because once Summer comes around you'll need it.

If you can I'm sure panniers are better than a bag cos your back will get sweaty. In general take your time on the way to work and you'll get by.

Remember to bring a change of socks and underwear for rainy days (assuming your commute isn't really long otherwise just bring one so you're totally fresh).

doolox

I have lost count of the number of cyclists who go straight through red lights. Cars can't because they have number plates which can be traced and their drivers have licences which can be lost if they misbehave.
As a nation we need to improve the width of some roads which can be blocked by cyclists and traffic held up especially in the morning. When the Greens have their way more cyclists will be on the road to the great discomfiture of drivers and we need to plan for this.
Denmark have separate roads,lights and infrastructure for bikes in its cities and it seems to work.
Bikes have three great problems in my mind:- hills, rain and wind which appear in great abundance in Ireland.
Because of this we can never achieve the increase in cycling beloved of the greens and other ecologists etc.
It might be possible to invest in covered cycleways in our cities, say, from Heuston station to the IFSC would be a start and taking out the hills in a smaller scale but similar to what they do for rail and motorways by cutting through hills or building viaducts etc. but I can't see the government putting any serious investment into cycling because there is no money in it. They give us crap public transport and make little or no provision for pedestrians precisely so we will buy heavily taxed but essential motor transport.

Lumen

Baby wipes FTW!

Huggies Pure are my personal recommendation.

mikemac

doolox wrote: »

As a nation we need to improve the width of some roads which can be blocked by cyclists and traffic held up especially in the morning.

I'd put it the other way around, who is taking up more room after all
If every cyclist around got pissed off in the morning and bought a car, sure they wouldn't be "holding up" anyone but traffic would be huge!
Would you prefer maybe 100 more cars or your commute or 100 cyclists? Sure it might take 3-4 turns of the traffic lights to get 100 cars through a junction. That's a few minutes extra sitting in your car for you my friend

But back to your point, taking parked cars out of cycle lanes may help.
Yes I know if it's a dotted line they are allowed to be there, just responding to your post

Back on topic, +2 for babywipes

doolox wrote: »

Bikes have three great problems in my mind:- hills, rain and wind which appear in great abundance in Ireland.

It doesn't rain that much. Sure just this week, it hasn't been raining at all.(where I am anyway)
I've never been to Amsterdam or Denmark but I'd imagine their climate is much the same as here. And possibly colder too.

petethedrummer

Morgan wrote: »

For a five mile cycle? He'll spend longer changing outfits than cycling.

Commuter racing may make a change of clothes essential.

Chips Lovell

doolox wrote: »

...

daymobrew

doolox wrote: »

I have lost count of the number of cyclists who go straight through red lights. Cars can't because they have number plates which can be traced and their drivers have licences which can be lost if they misbehave.

Yes, some cyclists break red lights - we here loathe this behaviour.

With respect to cars, I've reported a lot of cars breaking red lights to TrafficWatch but the Gardai have not done anything!! So, contrary to what you say, cars can break red lights because they won't be traced. :mad:

Lumen

daymobrew wrote: »

Yes, some cyclists break red lights - we here loathe this behaviour.

Who made you king?

blorg

Lumen wrote: »

Who made you king?

Well he is a mod

@Morgan- I generally feel happier in cycling clothes myself and leave my work clothes in work, 6.5km commute. I did say it is not essential and many people commute in their normal clothes (I used to myself in college.)

MadHatter

Lumen wrote: »

Baby wipes FTW!

Huggies Pure are my personal recommendation.

+ 1 for baby wipes.

In my panniers I have a lightweight travel towel, a ziploc bag with a handful of baby wipes, some anti-perspirant and a change of clothes. Dry off using towel, quick clean with the wipes and a liberal spray of the smelly stuff. Sorted.

Also, 2-3 days a week I go for a run at lunchtime were I sweat a lot more, but the same routine works well. No complaints yet anyhow.

Gavin

Realisticly, how many times have you gone up to a co-worker with BO issues and told them that they stunk?

MadHatter

Gavin wrote: »

Realisticly, how many times have you gone up to a co-worker with BO issues and told them that they stunk?

Me personally, never had a need to. However a mate of mine told me about a new guy who started in their office. Just four of them there together in a small room. He had a BO problem, and it was an issue, so manager took him aside and told him he have to sort it or he'd be gone.

In fairness, it's pretty easy going in my office. And since everyone knows I cycle/run then I'd expect them to have no problem telling me I stink, my gear stinks etc etc. Also, I generally know myself when I stink - and right now I smell nice

Morgan

blorg wrote: »

@Morgan- I generally feel happier in cycling clothes myself

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you 100%. In fact I'm sitting at my desk in full lycra and helmet right now.

jeffwode

Fresh sweat doesn't sweat, stale sweat does. If you shower every morning and wear clean clothes, you won't stink during the day no matter how much you sweat on the bike.

Stark

doolox wrote: »

I have lost count of the number of cyclists who go straight through red lights. Cars can't because they have number plates which can be traced and their drivers have licences which can be lost if they misbehave.
As a nation we need to improve the width of some roads which can be blocked by cyclists and traffic held up especially in the morning. When the Greens have their way more cyclists will be on the road to the great discomfiture of drivers and we need to plan for this.
Denmark have separate roads,lights and infrastructure for bikes in its cities and it seems to work.
Bikes have three great problems in my mind:- hills, rain and wind which appear in great abundance in Ireland.
Because of this we can never achieve the increase in cycling beloved of the greens and other ecologists etc.
It might be possible to invest in covered cycleways in our cities, say, from Heuston station to the IFSC would be a start and taking out the hills in a smaller scale but similar to what they do for rail and motorways by cutting through hills or building viaducts etc. but I can't see the government putting any serious investment into cycling because there is no money in it. They give us crap public transport and make little or no provision for pedestrians precisely so we will buy heavily taxed but essential motor transport.

Troll alert!

Danbo!

zoos wrote: »

Also is there ever times when you leave the office and can barely make it home from being too knackered from the day?

Quite the opposite! I've had to take the bus the last couple of weeks and find Im very tired in the evenings because im not cycling. Sitting on a bus/in a car is dreadfully boring and really tires me out. Cycling gets me out into the fresh air, and wakes me up in the morning and evening. Excellent hangover cure too!! I wouldnt worry about fitness levels for the distance you are going. Im not exactly the fittest person (smoker too) and cycle from firhouse to baggot street every day. Downhill on the way in so not too sweaty, uphill on the way home so yeah, sweaty, but you've got your shower waiting at home for you so its grand.

Raam

Morgan wrote: »

In fact I'm sitting at my desk in full lycra and helmet right now.

Me too, and I have one foot clipped in just in case I need to make a fast exit.

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

Me too, and I have one foot clipped in just in case I need to make a fast exit.

TBH I preferred you as a brunette...

Raam

Lumen wrote: »

TBH I preferred you as a brunette...

I look rather feminine from that angle.

Vélo

I've a 20km (40km round trip) commute which is flat (old N2). I organise to have clothes in the office with me and use the sink to wash myself. This works great for me. As I mentioned my commute is relatively flat but as it's an open road it can be quite windy:(. I'm doing the commute 3 days a week but I think this needs to be increased.

blorg

Morgan wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you 100%. In fact I'm sitting at my desk in full lycra and helmet right now.

I have a seperate helmet for the office, provides protection against things falling out of cupboards but no need for it to be too aero.

Raam

blorg wrote: »

I have a seperate helmet for the office, provides protection against things falling out of cupboards but no need for it to be too aero.

What if you need to get to the photocopier, like real quick?

Gavin

He gets a pull from someone walking by towards the photocopier

Ryaner

jeffwode wrote: »

Fresh sweat doesn't sweat, stale sweat does. If you shower every morning and wear clean clothes, you won't stink during the day no matter how much you sweat on the bike.

Not the case with everyone. I sweat enough to smell after 15 minutes on the bike even if I have showered before I start.

blorg

Ryaner wrote: »

Not the case with everyone. I sweat enough to smell after 15 minutes on the bike even if I have showered before I start.

Presumably you wouldn't if you went slower though?

Raam

blorg wrote: »

Presumably you wouldn't if you went slower though?

Everyone knows that as soon as you get passsed by someone in a builders vest or on a rickety MTB that going slow is the last thing on your mind

Civilian_Target

Gavin wrote: »

Realisticly, how many times have you gone up to a co-worker with BO issues and told them that they stunk?

Twice, and ones for breath odour.
You just don't want to be sharing a microscope with someone whose breath smells like Raams cycling shorts after the Wicklow 200 :rolleyes:

Gavin

Gavin wrote: »

Realisticly, how many times have you gone up to a co-worker with BO issues and told them that they stunk?

I'm working with other engineers so I think it's a given that someone will smell.

Raam

Civilian_Target wrote: »

You just don't want to be sharing a microscope with someone whose breath smells like Raams cycling shorts after the Wicklow 200 :rolleyes:

Damn right

cL0h

zoos wrote: »

Hi was just wondering about people who cycle to work.
I want to start cycling to work, but I am worried about being gross and sweaty when I get in. Dont think there are showers in work.
Is this a massive problem for people?

Also is there ever times when you leave the office and can barely make it home from being too knackered from the day?

I do 6 miles door to door and no shower.I wonder if the government considered funding showers at work as part of the cycle to work incentives. I bring the issue up at every pay review.
Anyway my top tips!

1. Get off the bike and wait 5 mins before going inside. You can use the time to remove clips, gloves, lights etc. and just generally give yourself a moment. I find this is the difference between being a bit clammy and a full on sweat.

2. Don't wear too much. From this time of year onwards you generally won't feel the cold after 5 mins on the bike. That is besides hands, knees and face for which I wear gloves, knee warmers and a buff respectively.

3. If you have access to a sink with a lockable door then you can wash up pretty well with just a facecloth and a hand towel. Disabled toilets usually have the sink inside. (No, disabled colleagues generally don't mind.)

4. If you stick with it for a month and like it then get a good pannier and rack. I have a Blackburn EX1, a Knog Frank's Dog and an Ortlieb 22l dry bag for spill over or shopping on the way home.

5. If the alternative is getting Left Hooked against a steel railing by a truck then take the whole lane and by all means break the red light!

Oh and always ALWAYS LOOK EYE Daniel-san!!

fenris

I cycle from Bray to Fitzwillam square a couple of times a week, I keep a couple of suits and a stock of shirts and undies in the office, as I need to drive at least once a week to get to customer meetings, I just restock on that day. A microfibre travel towel is a great investment, packs down really small and can be dried in a no time under the hand dryer. Huggies Pure baby wipes work well if you cannot shower.

I think if you have any distance to cover just sweat and be damned, I don't have a locker so I just keep the suits in a suit carrier on the coat rack and the rest in a small backpack under my desk - works well for me, if you try to over plan everything at first you will never get started, there will always be some reason not to cycle.

Realistically when you get to work you need to be clean with clean clothes and fit for purpose, so leave as much as possible in work, only carry what you need (really need) to carry.

Another useful item is a plastic bag to put dirty clothes into until you can get them home!

daroadlescycled

If there is a boiler house at your work place check it out. With a small bit of DIY you can modify to take your clothes etc. This is what I use. I store the bike there and hang up my cycling gear on hangers in front of the hot pipes. I leave my work wear and a couple of shirts hanging up in the boiler house. My gear is always dry and warm, especially in winter time as the heating switches on early to heat the different work areas. I have a key so every thing is locked away.

BostonB

Civilian_Target wrote: »

Twice, and ones for breath odour.
You just don't want to be sharing a microscope with someone whose breath smells like Raams cycling shorts after the Wicklow 200 :rolleyes:

Too much information. Shudder.

SerialComplaint

daroadlescycled wrote: »

If there is a boiler house at your work place check it out. With a small bit of DIY you can modify to take your clothes etc. This is what I use. I store the bike there and hang up my cycling gear on hangers in front of the hot pipes. I leave my work wear and a couple of shirts hanging up in the boiler house. My gear is always dry and warm, especially in winter time as the heating switches on early to heat the different work areas. I have a key so every thing is locked away.

I have a vague memory of a recent news report of a fire (possibly at a nursing home) caused by inappropriate use of a boiler house for drying gear. Not a great idea.

The OP should do a bit of lobbying for cycle facilities (showers, lockers, drying space) in work. Even if unsuccessful, every lobbying helps spread the word. I've done the 'wash at the sink' thing in the past - it is doable, but not too pleasant.

Captain Ahab

cL0h wrote: »

3. If you have access to a sink with a lockable door then you can wash up pretty well with just a facecloth and a hand towel. Disabled toilets usually have the sink inside. (No, disabled colleagues generally don't mind.)

Have a shower in the morning before you head off, but leave washing your hair til you get to work. I use a bottle of water over the sink & only takes a few minutes to do, cools you down well & makes sure your head isn't itchy for the day. I have a 18k cycle against the wind most mornings so it's worth spending the few minutes to do it.

daroadlescycled

SerialComplaint wrote: »

I have a vague memory of a recent news report of a fire (possibly at a nursing home) caused by inappropriate use of a boiler house for drying gear. Not a great idea.


I welcome your awareness about the use of Boiler house.
Let me reassure you that the Boiler house you have in mind ( as those found in Convents and Creamerys etc is far removed from the modern Bolier house I use. Perhaps the term Boiler house might have been misleading in that regard. This is a new building which has the actual boiler seperate from where I store my bike and dry my cycling gear. It is like a walk in hot press which has a mass of hot pipes direction valves and a large imersion tank.