what do you do?

[BikingNurse]

When I moved to the clinic from the hospital, I lost the "perk" of having a shower I could use. I commute on my bike most days 3 mi each way but I don't want my patients to smell my sweat. I've been using a washcloth with body soap in the restroom a one stall with sink that I can lock. but I was wondering what others do to de-smell yourself. Most days my shirt is soaked because I have a back pack I use for my change of clothes/scrubs.
Also, what about sunscreen I have seen posts about ones that wont run. Does anybody know of one that doesn't have any fragrance?
Thanks

[bmccasland]

Aren't there showers in the surgery changing room? Just a thought.

Second thought is that I'd pack my work clothes in a panier, and wear biking clothes for the commute. That way once you got to the hosptial and after your sponge bath you'll have fresh clean clothes to change into (all the layers). I'd use a panier instead of a backpack just to keep things off my back, to allow the sweat to dry more quickly as I'm riding.

[Zen]

+1 to Beth and maybe scented baby wipes in place of or addition to the bird bath?

[Tri Girl]

If you can get a rack on your bike, I second using a pannier. It's amazing hoe much cooler/less sweaty you'll be with the pack off your back. :)
How about anti-bacterial wet wipes? I have some Nuetrogena (sp?) sunscreen that is fragrance free, but it's kind of thick.
This time of year, even when I do a 10 min. errand, I still think I smell. I don't seem to lose that smell until late October. :(

[BikingNurse]

Surgery is at the hospital. I work at the clinic. So, sadly, now showers.... But thanks for the tips with the wipes.;) Oh yea, and what's a pannier? yea total newbie huh

[indigoiis]

I often ride between 15-28 miles in to work at a good clip. I leave clean clothes at work (take them in once a week on the bus.) I take a shower before I ride, put my wet hair in a ponytail. At work, I change in a stall (there's a shower but no hot water so...) and use a damp washcloth to wipe down, then air dry or dab with a big towel (that I also leave at work.) I spritz with a body spray and brush out my hair. Usually on ride days it goes back into a ponytail. Anyhow, I don't smell sweaty even after a long ride on a humid day.

My friend Martha who rides with me works in a building with no shower, and she is an investment banker and so must wear a suit. She just uses baby wipes. My problem with baby wipes is that they are disposable. She keeps her clothes in a file drawer in her office, and changes there (with the door closed.)

After doing this for two summers it is worthwhile to note that getting to work 15-20 minutes early means that you stop sweating while you are calmly changing in the bathroom. Be sure and give yourself plenty of cool-down time.

Nonbiking friends say, "I think that's great but I couldn't give up 4 hours of my day for that kind of commute." To that I say, you'd rather drive and sit in traffic for 2.5 hours a day? Then haul off to the gym after work to wait in line for the ellyptical? Then shower in the gym shower? I'd rather ride!

[sfa]

I use baby wipes, but it helps if I start out clean--that takes care of the smell better than anything. I notice that I'm stinky after my ride home, 12 hours after my morning shower, but only just sweaty after the morning commute. The one thing I haven't figured out is how to de-frizz my hair--the exertion makes my hair frizzy and if I put in de-frizzing goop at that point it just makes me look like a wet rat.

Sarah

[Biciclista]

panniers are bike bags that attach to your bike, not your back

[Tri Girl]

some panniers on bikes (none of which are mine) :D

[indigoiis]

I use baby wipes, but it helps if I start out clean--that takes care of the smell better than anything. I notice that I'm stinky after my ride home, 12 hours after my morning shower, but only just sweaty after the morning commute. The one thing I haven't figured out is how to de-frizz my hair--the exertion makes my hair frizzy and if I put in de-frizzing goop at that point it just makes me look like a wet rat.

Sarah

Same problem.
Thus the ponytail. :p

[Crankin]

I solved the hair problem by cutting it super short.. though now I have bangs that require a short stint with with the flat iron, because I am no longer working/commuting.
Basically, I did what Indigoiis does. Except, instead of Baby Wipes, I used bath cloths. You know, those things that are for people who can't take a bath. When I got to work (earlier than everyone else) I would put the cloth in the microwave as required, while I cooled down and gathered my stuff for the the bathroom. I didn't use these every commute, since they are expensive. Sometimes, just soap and a washcloth underarms, on my back, and face.
I can't put a rack on my road bike, so I brought my clothes in every Monday for my 2x a week commute. However, I always kept a pair of black capris, shoes, bra, and jacket at work, so if necessary, I could stuff a shirt in my pack (really just a Camelbak with the bladder taken out) and look fine.

[buddha_bellies]

I have 2 bikes to choose from. On Monday and Wed/Thurs, I use my beater bike that has pannier attached. Take my clean/ dirty clothes to and from work. The other days, I ride my road bike and not carry anything except water and ID. If I ride my road bike and need to carry stuff, I have a deuter backpack (http://www.deuterusa.com/products/productDetail.php?packID=RaceEXPAir&sub=hydration&tert=race) which has a mash back to keep your back cool.

At work, I use baby wipes also. And I've cut my hair to a pixie style so it's really easy to style and not have to worry about helmet hair anymore. :D

[BikingNurse]

Thank you! Thanks for your input everyone. You gals are awsome! I'll let ya know how it goes next week!

[lattae]

I bike to work on occasions... approximately 4 miles each way. I'd bike in my jersey and biking shorts and keep my clothes and scented wipes in a locker at work. I never showered but would wipe myself down with the wipes and that was sufficient to feel fresh. I do sweat profusely so on the hot and humid days it does take a bit of time to finally cool off. I felt very clean and fresh after wiping down my entire body with the scented wipes.. they are wonderful to use for occasions like that. I had no complaints of offensive odors from anyone, in fact, I was probably cleaner than some of my co workers :)

[Geonz]

I, too, don't want to be tossing that many wipes into the system of life. I have a little tub in my bottom desk drawer with the necessities. Take 'em into the handicapped stall where there's room (run the washcloth under the sink, first).

Thankfully my hair wouldn't frizz unless I stuck my hand in an electric socket... not sure it would even, then. It does sometimes do the cowlick-in-the-air thing so I hit it with a wet comb (it's generally already damp unless I was really lazy) and mash the helmet back down on it for going into the office, which helps it flatten, then use that little mirror on my shelf to whip it into shape.

[Becky]

I don't get very sweaty on the ride to work, so a quick wipe down with a towel and some fresh deodorant is enough to keep me stink-free. I do keep some baby wipes at the office, just in case. Panniers are a godsend for cutting down on the sweat.

As for the hair, I chopped it all off. The longest pieces are about 2" long, and dry in the time that it takes me to get dressed. A little gel or pomade is all it takes to style. A skull cap keeps the hair from getting sucked up through my helmet vents, and helps wick away sweat too.

[tulip]

Everyone has great suggestions. With only a 3 mile commute, you shouldn't have any problem freshening up.

Here's what I did: When I worked in an office without a shower (only for a year, and then took a job with a bike rack in the lobby and a commuter shower!), I got there early for plenty of cool-down time, kept a small towel and washcloth at my desk, freshened up in the bathroom with a cool washcloth, washed my hair in the sink and blow-dried it (kept the dryer in my desk), and did all the other stuff like makeup, and no one was the wiser. I either brought my clothes with me in a pannier or kept some at work in a closet. I always kept a few pairs of work shoes at work. My commute was 12 miles each way.

[getting there]

I too use baby wipes when I get to work. I carry a messenger bag with a change of clothes, shoes & lunch. I keep makeup at work. I tried panniers, but the wind blows here more often than not and the bag is more streamlined. I liked the panniers because my back is usually sweaty when I get to work and I tried to tell myself that working against the wind will make me stronger, but I usually go for easier! I just make sure that I have about 10 minutes to stop sweating.

[Fontinalis]

I make sure I get to work a good 15 minutes earlier, so I have time to change if needed, and freshen up, and calm down too, if the commute got me working out.
I most often will wear, under my work clothes, a layer that will sort of 'soak up' any sweat, a layer that I can take off once at work. As for my commute back, I don't worry about it since I am getting back home, so getting there sweaty is not a problem.
That layer will often consist of biking undergarments (biking underwear from Juniona and a simple cotton tee).
I hope this helps.