BIKE: Showers at Work

[Bob Farr]

(oops sorry Mike, I intended to send this to the whole list)

The source of perceived  body odor is often one's hair. And that's the sort of
systemic halo of nondescript aroma following you around that folks won't tell
you about when they'd otherwise have no problem telling you that your pits are
offensive or that you should "change your shirt fer goddsake." Ladies take note,
if you're bike commuting more than 5 miles, you may want to adapt your hair
style.

When I feel up to doing my 20-mile ride to work (something I haven't attempted
lately) and particularly this time of year, I'll arrive soaked in sweat.

So, I plan and do arrive at work earlier than the rest of my co-workers. Then I
take over a sink in the men's room. I'll give my hair a quick shampoo & rinse in
the sink followed by a sectional top-down body wash (so as not to appear
completely nude) using a wash towel with SOAP & WATER. Using the wringed-dry
wash towel for the rinse I don't really need a towel afterwards although I keep
one handy. All this hygene gear, soap, wash cloth, towel, shampoo, stows away
into a tough zip-loc bag in my desk drawer.

Being prepared to bathe is particularly useful should you get caught in the rain
while riding to work. After a long ride on city streets in the rain, you'll be
covered in carbon black residue that requires soap.

Of course, the "whore bath" is followed by a change of fresh clothes. If my
timing is right, I'm finished with my bath 30 minutes or so before the rest of
the office arrives.
--
Bob