UK and Europe · Public discussion

Re: OT: staying fresh for work

Email address hidden · 2006-07-05T00:14:07+00:00

Lots of public service announcements here about using bikes to make your trips and do a favor to your health and the environment. Judging from the traffic here, not a bad proposition because the bus is hardly any faster. Only problem: once I become a 9 to 5 man again, how do I get to the workplace on a bike and look and smell fresh? Even if I'm as lucky as a few people who got showers at their workplace, it takes too much time. Seb (Followups set to uk.rec.cycling because that's where I can usually be found) You're posting in the wrong place. But it really depends on how far you want to travel and how fast. In my previous job I did 8 miles each way at an average speed of 20mph every day. I wore cycling "lycra" for the ride and changed at work. Give yourself 15-20 mins to cool down before changing and it's really not an issue. Just shower before you leave as you would normally and maybe shower when you get home as well. (sweat doesn't smell) In this job I occasionally do 22 miles each way to work. But due to traffic congestion my average speed is more like 15-17mph which means it takes too long to do every day. No showers again but it's not a big problem, wipe down with a damp face cloth before putting on work clothes. But I cycle about 4miles and train the rest (folding bike) in work clothes. Biggest problem is actually the winter where it's hard to wear appropriate clothing in central London. I have 25 independent sets of traffic lights in 4km. You are either too cold when stopped or too hot when going. You could also find a swimming pool close to where you work - then you can cycle to the baths, quick swim, shower and change and then cycle the rest to work. (I've started doing this). However, this morning the pool was sufficiently hot (29.3C) that I was sweatting more when I got out of the pool than when I was cycling. A cool shower helps. Tim. p.s. Shower takes too long? Five minutes is ample to get clean. (I guess if you've got long hair then cycling before it is dry might be a problem) I say thanks for all the tips and sorry I've been too used to posting all my exercise related questions here. I take a bit long to shower, but the biggest problem is my insomnia--tend to arrive with barely minutes to spare, and really would like more sleep... Seb

Started by Email address hidden · 5 July 2006 · Last activity 6 July 2006 · 8 posts · 372 views

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01 / Original postRe: OT: staying fresh for workEmail address hidden · 5 Jul 2006 02 / This pagePosts 1–8Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #8Paul Boyd · 6 Jul 2006

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Original section: UK and Europe
Published: 5 July 2006
Last activity: 6 July 2006
Original author: Email address hidden
Posts: 8
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 372
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Folding bikes Sleep and recovery

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Original post
Email address hidden
Archived post

5 July 2006, 00:14 UTC #1

Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Lots of public service announcements here about using bikes to make
your trips and do a
favor to your health and the environment. Judging from the traffic
here, not a bad
proposition because the bus is hardly any faster. Only problem: once I
become a 9 to 5 man
again, how do I get to the workplace on a bike and look and smell
fresh? Even if I'm as
lucky as a few people who got showers at their workplace, it takes too
much time.
Seb
(Followups set to uk.rec.cycling because that's where I can usually be
found)
You're posting in the wrong place.
But it really depends on how far you want to travel and how fast.
In my previous job I did 8 miles each way at an average speed of 20mph
every day. I wore cycling "lycra" for the ride and changed at work.
Give yourself 15-20 mins to cool down before changing and it's really
not an issue. Just shower before you leave as you would normally and
maybe shower when you get home as well. (sweat doesn't smell)
In this job I occasionally do 22 miles each way to work. But due to
traffic congestion my average speed is more like 15-17mph which means
it takes too long to do every day. No showers again but it's not a big
problem, wipe down with a damp face cloth before putting on work
clothes.
But I cycle about 4miles and train the rest (folding bike) in work
clothes.
Biggest problem is actually the winter where it's hard to wear
appropriate clothing in central London. I have 25 independent sets of
traffic lights in 4km. You are either too cold when stopped or too hot
when going.
You could also find a swimming pool close to where you work - then you
can cycle to the baths, quick swim, shower and change and then cycle
the rest to work. (I've started doing this). However, this morning the
pool was sufficiently hot (29.3C) that I was sweatting more when I got
out of the pool than when I was cycling. A cool shower helps.
Tim.
p.s. Shower takes too long? Five minutes is ample to get clean. (I
guess if you've got long hair then cycling before it is dry might be a
problem)
I say thanks for all the tips and sorry I've been too used to posting
all my exercise related questions here. I take a bit long to shower,
but the biggest problem is my insomnia--tend to arrive with barely
minutes to spare, and really would like more sleep...
Seb

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dkahn400
Archived post

5 July 2006, 07:29 UTC #2

Quoted message said:
I say thanks for all the tips and sorry I've been too used to posting
all my exercise related questions here. I take a bit long to shower,
but the biggest problem is my insomnia--tend to arrive with barely
minutes to spare, and really would like more sleep...
Go to bed an hour earlier. Get up half an hour earlier.
--
Dave...

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Paul Boyd
Archived post

5 July 2006, 07:51 UTC #3

dkahn400 said the following on 05/07/2006 08:29:
Quoted message said:
Go to bed an hour earlier. Get up half an hour earlier.
For an insomniac, that will just mean an additional half hour lying
there trying to sleep. It isn't as easy as that, believe me!
--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

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Al C-F
Archived post

5 July 2006, 08:23 UTC #4

Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Only problem: once I
become a 9 to 5 man
again, how do I get to the workplace on a bike and look and smell
fresh? Even if I'm as
lucky as a few people who got showers at their workplace, it takes too
much time.
No, it doesn't. If you get straight out of bed and into your cycling
gear, the time spent showering at the office is offset by the time saved
by not showering at home.

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POHB
Archived post

5 July 2006, 08:48 UTC #5

Paul Boyd said:

For an insomniac, that will just mean an additional half hour lying
there trying to sleep. It isn't as easy as that, believe me!
Waking up and getting up has never been easy
(http://www.stutter.demon.co.uk/elastica/lyrics/wakingup.html)
but getting a bit of exercise and fresh air by cycling helps with
getting to sleep, and you're more awake on arrival in the morning too.

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dkahn400
Archived post

5 July 2006, 09:56 UTC #6

Paul Boyd said:
dkahn400 said the following on 05/07/2006 08:29:
Quoted message said:
Go to bed an hour earlier. Get up half an hour earlier.
For an insomniac, that will just mean an additional half hour lying
there trying to sleep. It isn't as easy as that, believe me!
Quite right. The reference to insomnia didn't register with me. My
response would not have been so glib if it had, and I apologise for the
insensitivity.
However, if you look into non-drug therapies for insomnia you will find
that establishing regular times for going to bed and getting up are
considered important. Adjusting to them, though, can be a tough process
for an insomniac.
--
Dave...

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Email address hidden
Archived post

5 July 2006, 11:03 UTC #7

Quoted message said:

I say thanks for all the tips and sorry I've been too used to posting
all my exercise related questions here. I take a bit long to shower,
but the biggest problem is my insomnia--tend to arrive with barely
minutes to spare, and really would like more sleep...
Exercise can help insomnia. I tend to find I can't sleep when I'm
mentally exhausted but physically I'm ready to take on the TdF and win.
(Shame I done have that ability except when I'm on the verge of sleep
;-)
Cycling is pretty good for getting me into a state where I can fall
asleep easily. YMMV.
Tim.

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Paul Boyd
Archived post

6 July 2006, 07:24 UTC #8

dkahn400 said the following on 05/07/2006 10:56:
Quoted message said:
Quite right. The reference to insomnia didn't register with me. My
response would not have been so glib if it had, and I apologise for the
insensitivity.
That's more than fair enough.
Quoted message said:
However, if you look into non-drug therapies for insomnia you will find
that establishing regular times for going to bed and getting up are
considered important. Adjusting to them, though, can be a tough process
for an insomniac.
Then just as you get adjusted, they change the bl**dy clocks by an hour!
--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

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