By adamg - Thu, 07/17/2008 - 12:06am.
Steve S., who often bicycles to work near City Hall, is glad to see more and more people on bikes these days. But, he cautions, if you bike to work, you need to find a place to take a shower before you show up in the office.
importance of cool-downs
Not just for keeping you dry, but also good for cardiovascular reasons and preventing lactic acid buildup.
Ie, you're not dizzy/woozy when you get off the bike, and you're not sore hours later.
Seriously, folks- when you're a few blocks away, start pedaling really lightly.
The author does make a good point, however- we NEED more bike racks and bike lockup loops!
Another way to prevent lactic acid builid-up after biking:
Make sure to arrive at work early enough to be able to do 5 -10 minutes of post-bicycle riding stretching afterwards. That'll prevent, or at least minimize lactic acid build-up and the seizing up of the muscles.
Actually, they need to shower before they get to work
http://bicyclecolo.org/page.cfm?PageID=250
Showers in buildings
I've been lucky enough, working out here in the burbs, to have worked in buildings that have showers. I actually expect a shower in a building. I don't commute by bike, but pretty much do a ride every day at noon, or a longer ride after work. Also, my bike lives with me in my cube. Guess I'm spoiled.
Isn't it time for office buildings to step into the 21st century and have showers?
And, excuse me for being a country bumpkin, but, what are some of the special issues places in the city have that the burbs don't? Are showers a problem when a building has multiple tenants?
Also, what's the big deal about keeping a bike in your cube? Or, stashed somewhere along a wall?
Not everyone...
...works in cubes. Yes, you're spoiled, but at least you can admit it. And I'm jealous. :-)
There's one - ONE - small rack for my bike, and it's always full, so I have to lock to a sign post, which sometimes disrupts traffic flow, and I'm not sure that's even legal.
Can't help with the showers,
Can't help with the showers, but some of the newer folding bikes collapse into a small package that will fit into any space, say next to your desk, or at a coat rack.
If you can get past the Bozo factor (RIP Bozo), the folding bikes are pretty neat.
Bike Friday
I've never ridden one, but the Bike Friday is supposed to be an excellent folding bike. They ain't cheap.
Showers aren't needed
I bike a few times a week, and I really don't think a shower is a requirement, certainly it's no sufficient excuse not to bike. I shower before leaving the house, and when I get to the office, I'm actually not very sweaty -- the wind and proper clothing cause most of it to evaporate. I do dry off what is there, and apply more deodorant, which is entirely sufficient.
I see a lot of bikers riding in their work clothes, which I consider a much bigger problem than lack of showering. Work clothes do not properly wick the sweat from your body, and have the added feature of retaining the moisture. I would think such people do probably smell.
Even students fret
One of my teens at home has been biking to Charlestown High (Arabic course) from below Forest Hills. He's not vain, but is certainly aware at high heat/humidity, he's wet when he arrives. He takes a shirt to change into, but wanted more.
From my years of bike commuting, I recommended a small towel as well. I'd rubdown my head, including what little hair I have. That makes a big difference in wetness and speed of cooling. Usually with a change out of biking gear into the clothes in my bag or from my desk, I'd be set.
With a bit of good fortune, the workplace will have a locker room or similar discrete and discreet place to let a wet shirt dry. Some cubes accommodate draping the shirt over the recycling bin under the desk. Putting on cold, wet clothes is the worst.