what do you do?

[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.

[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)

[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.

[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 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.

[BikingNurse]

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