Commuting and sweating

[Riknos]

I commuted to work today for the first time ever! To say I didn't want to go to work today was an understatement. I've probably only clocked up 3 hours riding time in total now, but all I keep telling everyone is it's 10 times the fun of driving a car!

I've got some two piece leathers, which I wore with shorts and t-shirt underneath with work clothes in my bag, and I turned up to work really sweating! I had a shower this morning before I left, so don't fancy having another shower when I get to work half an hour later. What to do? Skip the shower at home, bring shampoo and soap etc to work and have a proper shower there? Not sure how busy the shower gets in the morning, might have to wait for it? What does everyone else do?
Ideas very welcome

[randlemarcus]

Find the office hottie and offer to save water by sharing?

Dont forget to cool off a bit before the shower, or you'll carry on sweating afterwards.

[dern]

I think a lot depends on your level of, erm, fitness but my commute's comfort has improved substantially since I got some HG pro sport leathers with fabric stretch panels which let the air in or, if it's looking inclement, textiles are comfy too. I did find my old style two piece leathers had me sweating when it got warm and I slowed down. Then I did start showering when I got to work but I warn you... if you do that your leathers will get minging in no time. A good tip is to get some thin full length ninja suits (I don't know what they're called but you get them in bike shops)... firstly they'll definitely help keep you cool and secondly you can wash them more easily than your leathers.

[veetwin]

Try Helly Hensen Lifa range of moisture wicking undersuits/base layers. Go for the long sleeve tops and full length bottoms as they are great in helping getting your leathers off.

Similar products include:

Nike compression range
Under Armour

Try looking at the following to get an idea.

http://www.winwood-outdoor.co.uk/acatalog/Men_Hell...

http://www.baselayer.co.uk/

I wore HH Lifa under one-piece leathers all the way to the Pyrenees two years ago. Temperatures were above 40° towards Andorra. Overall, I felt pretty comfortable unless sat in traffic for more than 5 mins. Then you need ice to cool you down!

Edited by veetwin on Tuesday 1st July 09:34

[dern]

A budget option is marks & spencer thin thermals... sounds contradictory but wearing them will make you feel cooler than just leathers. The 'pro' options will be better though.

[rsv gone!]

I haven't decided what to take to the Pyrenees in August. Leathers catch the wind less but (mine) leak like a sieve. Textiles are bulky. I don't really want to take an oversuit as well as space is at somewhat of a premium.

[jon-]

Ride in shots and a tshirt.


Just kidding

Don't forget the flipflops

[dern]

jon- said:

Ride in shots and a tshirt.


Just kidding

Don't forget the flipflops

[m3psm]

Another vote for long johns here. Thermals sound crazy in this heat but they form a cooling layer between hot black leather and you, plus are easilly washable and absorb any sweat if you do still cook.

The other option is textiles which are more breathable.

[Riknos]

m3psm said:

Another vote for long johns here. Thermals sound crazy in this heat but they form a cooling layer between hot black leather and you, plus are easilly washable and absorb any sweat if you do still cook.

The other option is textiles which are more breathable.

I'm thinking I might just buy myself some textiles. Nothing fancy, just ones that are 100% waterproof with protection. Just use the textiles for commuting, and the leathers for evening / weekend.

Hmm... The whole point in me getting a bike was so I could go just as quick (well, actually quicker) then my car, but for cheaper running costs.. But buying all the gear is definitely outweighing the cost of running the car!

[Paper Lawyer]

Cyclists who don't have shower facilities at work swear by baby wipes.....

(We've got showers at work, I hasten to add ).

[dern]

Riknos said:

I'm thinking I might just buy myself some textiles. Nothing fancy, just ones that are 100% waterproof with protection. Just use the textiles for commuting, and the leathers for evening / weekend.

Hmm... The whole point in me getting a bike was so I could go just as quick (well, actually quicker) then my car, but for cheaper running costs.. But buying all the gear is definitely outweighing the cost of running the car!

If you buy sensibly and look after them they'll last you for years. I got a jacket and then trousers from HG and I think I spent about 300-350 maybe. Every now and again they get put in the bath with some baby bath stuff and all the grit and st cleaned out, hung on the line to dry and the painted with fabsil waterproofer. They're completely waterproof and look like new and they're about two years old now and get used through winter.

[m3psm]

Riknos said:

Hmm... The whole point in me getting a bike was so I could go just as quick (well, actually quicker) then my car, but for cheaper running costs.. But buying all the gear is definitely outweighing the cost of running the car!

A common misconception is that bikes are much cheap to run. Once you take lid, gloves, protective clothing, waterproof into account, the initial outlay gets quite high and it needs replacing periodically.

You then get through tyres, brakes, chains and sprockets fairly quickly and service intervals are shorter than most cars too.

I’ve always found bikes cheaper, but not by a massive amount.

dern said:

Every now and again they get put in the bath with some baby bath stuff and all the grit and st cleaned out, hung on the line to dry and the painted with fabsil waterproofer. They're completely waterproof and look like new and they're about two years old now and get used through winter.

I just chuck my HG gear in the washing machine and it comes out looking all shiny and new. There are washing instructions on a label inside one of the pockets

[dern]

m3psm said:

dern said:

Every now and again they get put in the bath with some baby bath stuff and all the grit and st cleaned out, hung on the line to dry and the painted with fabsil waterproofer. They're completely waterproof and look like new and they're about two years old now and get used through winter.

I just chuck my HG gear in the washing machine and it comes out looking all shiny and new. There are washing instructions on a label inside one of the pockets

Is there?! fking hell

wife: why is there muddy water dripping all the way down the stairs?
me: err

I won't use wash in waterproofer again mind. I did that on my last set and waterproof pockets aren't entirely useful if you get rain on the inside.

Edited by dern on Tuesday 1st July 12:05

[RizzoTheRat]

I bought a set of textiles when I was commuting on the bike as I could wear my work clothes underneith and just needed to carry a pair of shoes. I now wear it all the time as my 2 piece leathers shrunk one winter. I chuck my textile kit in the washing machine with some Nikwax Tekwash and then give them another wash with thier TK washin waterproofer. Does a realy good job.

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Wednesday 2nd July 22:32

[dern]

I stuck my textiles on this morning and then went back to the leather trousers. Without the termal liners in them I really feel exposed.

[m3psm]

dern said:

I stuck my textiles on this morning and then went back to the leather trousers. Without the termal liners in them I really feel exposed.

If you wear your work trousers under the textiles they feel more substantial. In reality though, leathers do offer the best protection.

[DR B]

Get a mesh motorcycle jacket. They have CE armour in them and allow the air to pass straight through. They'll never offer as much protection as leathers, but are much better than wearing a t-shirt, or sweating on your commute. A good compromise.

This is the one I bought http://www.bustersclassic.co.uk/proddetail.asp?pro...

You can feel the difference straight away. I felt like I was riding naked after wearing my standard textile jacket. Only worth wearing on the warmest of days, as you do get cold on milder days once you are going above 30mph.

Edited by DR B on Thursday 3rd July 13:39

[Wasted Bullet]

I leave the cuffs of my jacket open... with my gloves inside and the air rush make me look like a body builder .

[randlemarcus]

Wasted Bullet said:

I leave the cuffs of my jacket open... with my gloves inside and the air rush make me look like Bibendum .

EFA