Looking for Tips What to be a first time commuter

[John motuz]

Hey all,

I want to commute to work. I live in Indian Trail and work in
Matthews. My concern is riding in the mornings and being able to
freshen up after my ride. I work at a place with no showers. I have
seen some idea online but would like to get some real input. Also,
what are things you consider when planning your route?

Thanks!
John

[Hernan Atencio]

John, I had the same problems years ago and I used these bath wipes that you can get at the camping stores.

[Patrick George]

The main thing I consider is safety.  The less you're around vehicles, the better.   If you can, find neighborhood connections, cut throughs and even short stints on paths, or utility right of ways.  Look on Google maps and then maybe scout out a route over the weekend.  Going the main road is probably faster but far more stressful and dangerous whereas traveling the back roads can actually be serene and recharge you after a day at work.  Give yourself plenty of time the first time and you wont have to work up as much of a sweat either. 
Pg

[Alex Armendariz]

I don't have a shower at work and sometimes it does get stinky in the summer.  Uptown Cycles (shameless plug of my favorite LBS) has these wipes for men caleed Jet wipes or something. It is new the company is from here in CLT. They only sell them there. They are 1.97 a piece they work freaking awesome. like a mitt they use on the guys at the tour.  Has mint in it so you smell like a man and not babywipes or the citrus scent wipes from the grocery store.. They are on the counter next to the new stinger waffle thing.  Ask Chris, Angela, Addy, Tyler, or Robin. With those wipes I think I can do the whole morning ride. 

http://www.genuine7.com/pages/gent-7  this is the site for the towels

As for the route what everyone has said find the path with least resistance might be longer but hey isn't that what we need more distance.

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Alex Armendariz
704-521-2999 Ext 304
WWW.POLICEHQ.COM

[Mark Ortiz]

I don’t understand what the big deal is about sweat.  I usually quit sweating as soon as I get inside an air conditioned building, even on a hot day.  If your workplace isn’t air conditioned, and it’s hot, you’ll sweat anyway.

 

If you do need to dry off, a couple of paper towels in the men’s room ought to do the trick.  If you smell a bit, a little baking soda or deodorant takes care of that.  You don’t need to take a shower every time you get on your bike.

 

I ride 20 miles to work.  I don’t ordinarily need to do anything to dry off.  I just wait ten minutes, then put general-purpose clothes on over my cycling clothing.

 

Dealing with cold and rain is a challenge.  Dealing with a little sweat on a nice summer day is a piece of cake.

 

 

Mark Ortiz

[David Spranger]

No showers where I work either. Here is a routine that works for me. Shower right before leaving for work. I usually carry a change of clothes in my saddlebag during the summer, not always needed in the colder months. When I get to work after a short cool down, I wipe all the sweat off my body and then change into my work clothes. Sweat itself does not stink. It is the bacteria that can grow in sweat that smells. So if you start with a clean body, then wipe the sweat off, no medium for bacteria growth. No complaints at work and I work with a bunch of guys that would definitely complain if there was an issue.

David