On Your Left: Cleaning Up After Riding In
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Written by admin on October 13, 2008 – 10:31 am
Think you can’t ride in to work because you need to dress up for work? Think again! You don’t have to forgo your ride just because you have a work dress code. Here are some tips for how to ride in and still be presentable for work.
Showering
See if your building has a showering facility that you can use. If not, consider joining a local gym. Most major business areas have one nearby and some of them even have reduced membership fees for people who just want to use the showers. A nice side benefit: you can take advantage of the gym on days you haven’t biked in!
If it’s not too hot or you have a short commute, you can always shower before you leave for work or shower the night before.
Another method I’ve heard of is the baby-wipe method, which involves cleaning up with baby wipes after your ride.
Because my ride is on the longer side (12/13 miles) and I use the commute for exercise, I shower at a nearby gym.
Clothes
Invest in panniers, a backpack, or messenger bag and bring your clothes to work. This method is great because you can bring your clothes home at the end of the day and clean them yourself.
For those who must wear suits, consider bringing them to work on a non-bike day and leaving them in the office. You can get them cleaned at a local dry cleaners or you can exchange them on a weekly basis for other clothes you have at home.
I like to keep a pair or two of shoes at the office instead of bringing them in since shoes tend to be the heaviest part of my load. I use a messenger bag and can comfortably fit the day’s outfit plus my lunch.
Toiletries
Keep a set of toiletries at the office so you don’t have to lug them back and forth every day. I like to keep shampoo, conditioner, a comb, and a lock for the gym on hand.
Anyone else have other tips or tricks they use for cleaning up after a ride?
