In praise of Sweat!

[RolliePollie]

Usually, I hate sweating. But on the bike, it's all good.

My new sunglasses route all the sweat from my forehead directly down my nose. So I end up with sweat dripping from the tip of my nose right onto my top tube.

My cats like to lick my arms when I get home from a ride because of all the salt.

My face feels like it has sand on it after a ride because of all the dried sweat.

If I'm riding up a super hard hill, I break out in a sweat all over my body...then when I get to the top and head downhill, it's like natural air conditioning.

My Smartwool socks (love those things!) keep my feet cool and quite dry even though I know there's a lot of sweat going on down there too.

I would never wear anything other than black shorts as I fear "sweat stains"...I saw someone in light blue shorts once and it looked really scary with all those wet sweaty patches.

[Crankin]

I don't mind sweating while I am riding or doing any other form of exercise. I don't like it when I sweat wearing "regular" clothes.
I rarely stink when sweating, but it really bothers me when I do. I think it's something in your genetic makeup because my husband hardly sweats and barely feels the need to drink or eat on the bike. I sweat a lot and drink/eat a lot on the bike. One of my kids also hardly shows a drop of sweat and the other one (the one who raced) sweats a ton.

[Jolt]

I don't remember where this quote came from, but it seems to fit the topic: "Both tears and sweat are salty and wet, but they render different results. Tears will get you sympathy, but sweat will get you progress".

[Jolt]

Sweat does not smell bad... it even contains feromones (something working as aphrodisiac to a right person). What smells bad are the bacterias growing in the old unwashed sweat.

That is true. That's why the "deodorant crystal" works so well despite not being an antiperspirant. You still sweat, but the mineral salts from the crystal keep the bacteria from growing and creating a stink-fest.

[amy]

As long as the sunscreen stays out of my eyes, I'm all for the sweat!!

[SadieKate]

Nothing better than hugging your gooey, salty hubby after a great ride!

My vote for the best so far ---

In the reflection of one bead of sweat is endless possibility.

[rij73]

Nothing better than hugging your gooey, salty hubby after a great ride!

Okay, I may have learned to not mind sweating... After years of inactivity and sweat-phobia, I can now recognize that it keeps me cool. I especially love a cooling, evaporative downhill after a long sweaty uphill.

However, I do NOT appreciate DH's sweat. When he comes home from a ride I barely want to look at him, much less touch him, until he takes a shower. Am I a bad wife?

[ny biker]

Okay apparently I am the only one who smells less than fresh after a long ride.

I swear, I really do bathe and wash my clothes regularly.

[Tuckervill]

No, I stink, too. I can't tolerate my husband when he's sweaty, either. Even when he's dry and unwashed. I don't bath (shower only) in hotel rooms or sit on the bedspreads. I wash my hands after I pet the dog, and before I touch a baby, and I don't touch anything in the public washroom if I can help it!

Karen

[malkin]

Inspired by han-grrl:

Sweat is good...sweat is great...
Sometimes it smells like
What you ate!

[OakLeaf]

Inspired by han-grrl:

Sweat is good...sweat is great...
Sometimes it smells like
What you ate!

LOL!

[Blueberry]

I have learned to like my own sweat - or at least appreciate it. It was working quite nicely with the breeze when I was picking blueberries today.

However, hugging a salty, sweaty DH who has just come back from a ride (we don't necessarily ride at the same time) - no can do. DH has noticed and now makes fun of me for it - i.e. walking towards me like he's going to hug me. If he would learn the virtue of washing his bike clothes after ever ride, I might be a little less averse. As it is, he's RANK!

[SadieKate]

However, I do NOT appreciate DH's sweat. When he comes home from a ride I barely want to look at him, much less touch him, until he takes a shower. Am I a bad wife?

Well, it's not like we get into a big snuggle fest. And this is only when we're both a little gooey.

I guess when you've been mountainbiking and tent camping for several days with only access to baby wipes, you get a different perspective.

[jckid]

That is true. That's why the "deodorant crystal" works so well despite not being an antiperspirant. You still sweat, but the mineral salts from the crystal keep the bacteria from growing and creating a stink-fest.

I use Crystal, and it does work well. It's also one of the few deodorants I can use without getting a rash. I don't use the hard crystal one though. I like the liquid that rolls on better. I recommended it to my sister and was shocked when she replied that she doesn't wear deodorant, because she doesn't sweat! Now granted, she is not active like me, but I cannot imagine what I'd smell like if I didn't wear deodorant! I sweat some when I ride, but I absolutely sweat like a man when I run (actually when I finish running--the sweat just literally pours off of me). Luckily my husband doesn't think I'm gross.

[wackyjacky1]

Inspired by han-grrl:

Sweat is good...sweat is great...
Sometimes it smells like
What you ate!

LOL and yuck at the same time!