silly question about changing/clothes

[Onix]

So...I have a silly question.

A bit of pre-information:

I ride to school/work several days a week. Once at school/work, I shower/change. Then, my sweaty bike clothes end up in a paneer (or toted around in a plastic bag in my backpack between classes, depending on where I am).

After a long day, I have been biking home in whatever I wore that day for school/work. However, this isn't quite a perfect set up. What do you guys do about the clothing situation??

It doesn't seem practical to carry a second set of bike clothes to ride home in. But, it also isn't practical to get a pair of jeans/bra etc.etc. super sweaty on the way home that I would otherwise multiple times. I don't have somewhere to "air out" my morning bike clothes during the day, and don't really want to pull out stinky wet bike clothes to put on for the ride home.

How do you guys handle this???

[redrhodie]

Sorry--I air mine out.

If I didn't have that option, I'd bring an extra pair of shorts for the ride home, and wear the same jersey. I'd probably roll the shorts up tight, wrap them in plastic wrap, and carry them in my 2nd water bottle cage. I sometimes carry my bolero in that way. The plastic wrap keeps protects against chain lube, and keeps the item from slipping out.

Edit, I see you have a pannier, so you have the carrying part covered!

[tctrek]

Maybe a couple pairs of these: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodAN_1113.html that you can wear under regular shorts. They're less expensive than trying to keep multiple pairs of bicycle shorts.

[Cataboo]

I tried a pair of andiamo liner shorts once - absolutely hated them, the fabric was a bit thin and meshlike and so hairs could go through them and get caught. That and the thin/meshiness of the fabric just meant that there was a bit more chafing than I like going on.

HOw long is your commute to work? Any chance that if you put a cusher saddle on you wouldn't need a pair of bike shorts? I have a specialized ariel mountain biking saddle on my commuter bike - and I can ride it in normal clothing 5 miles or so without any issues (I haven't tried riding it further than that) It's pretty plush.

[lph]

I HATE (as in hate hate hate) putting on wet or even damp bike clothes. Is there absolutely nowhere you can hide your damp clothes and let them air? This isn't the sort of thing people steal, so as long as you're not annoying anyone too much they will probably hang there in peace.

But if I had no place to air my clothes I'd bring an extra pair of shorts and maybe socks. Jersey/jacket I'd air over the back of my chair wherever I was sitting, that's socially acceptable :p

PS. You can also "dry" shorts by turning them inside out and wrapping them in a old absorbent towel. But then you have to carry an extra towel. Faster drying minimizes smell, though.

[Cataboo]

does your school have commuter lockers somewhere that you can rent? that'd let you hang out your clothes. Or if it's got a gym with a locker/changing room - can you put a lock on one of those lockers?

[gnat23]

Ride in. Change. Wrap the morning's stuff in a towel and put in a paper bag.

Work.

At the end of the day, grab the paper bag from *yesterday*, with yesterday's biking clothes in it. All dry!

Leave today's paper bag here overnight (assuming you can trust it, but hey, who would steal used wet cycling stuff?)

-- gnat!

[lph]

gnat, you rock.

[redrhodie]

Yep, she's a smart one!

[Onix]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Very helpful!

[gnat23]

Hah, thanks! The only drawback is that it can mess with your overall color coordination. :D

-- gnat! (blue socks matched with this morning's kit, I swear!)

[cylegoddess]

Thats a good idea but better pass on the used knicks. You dont want to get a pantsfull of whatevers been cooking in those shorts after a long ride, esp after overnight. Shirts should be good( Im going to adopt that!) It can possibly lead to yeast infections and such
I would try for a supply cuboard or ask if there is somewhere you can put them in large paper( paper only) bag and let them dry out at work.

[Onix]

Thats a good idea but better pass on the used knicks. You dont want to get a pantsfull of whatevers been cooking in those shorts after a long ride, esp after overnight. Shirts should be good( Im going to adopt that!) It can possibly lead to yeast infections and such
I would try for a supply cuboard or ask if there is somewhere you can put them in large paper( paper only) bag and let them dry out at work.

Good call. I will def. have to skip on re-worn shorts due to my girly-bits being especially susceptible to infections and such.


Thanks again for all the advice! :)