Cycling hygene

[Mustang]

I am never going to buy second hand clothing. Gross.

Why not? Once it's washed it's clean and all traces of the other person are gone.

I find ebay invaluable for second hand cycling clothesn on a budget.

Its so cheap on ebay, there is no reason not to have multiples, if you are a small I'll send you some for free!!!!!!

[il padrone]

Most of the need to wash cycling jerseys frequently is due to the PONG factor of 'Stinkmax' (Coolmax) and related synthetics. I'll wear cotton t-shirts for 2-3 days in summer before they "go off", but if you want clothing that lasts between washes you can't go past the merino. Ground Effect have a few nice merino-mix cycling jerseys (merino inner surface, polyester exterior) and for winter I have a couple of Rapha 100% merino short-sleeved tops that I wear under other jerseys. In Central Australia on our recent tour we wore light Icebreaker merino tops and they were good for 4-5 days in hot weather before they got a bit much (mine got quite crusty from sweat but still no pong or other problems).

I am convinced that modern Australians have a cleanliness fetish when it comes to clothing and a bit of sweat

[Bentnose]

I'll usually go 2-3 rides depending how sweaty I get in the jersey, sometimes 1. Knicks I wash every use, gloves when they stink, socks usually 2 rides.Have done 24 hour races without changing anything so that was probably the grossest I've been on a bike. I remember mentioning to my teamates that I hadn't bothered having a shower during the event (they were heading off for a shower about halfway through), the reply was, "we know". Can't please women sometimes.

[gorilla monsoon]

You take pride in grottiness? We live in strange times.

[JustJames]

Years ago I recall reading some wisdom along the lines of:

In every group there's one stinky person...if you don't know who it is, it's probably you.

Seems this thread is where the stinkers have come to roost.

[il padrone]

Seems this thread is where the stinkers have come to roost.

I'll say it again.

Coolmax = stinkmax, lots of pong even after just one day (I can smell it on myself)


Merino = sweet and comfy, no smell even after 4 days


I'm old enough to remember pre-coolmax days, even pre-lycra. Woollen jerseys were something you refrained from washing too much. The more they got washed the more they'd shrink, pretty soon it'll only fit little Johnny. Wool has a lot of special properties that no synthetics have yet been able to completely replicate.

[JustJames]

IP - you do a lot of cycle touring. No argument that rules are different when you're on the road.

But if we're talking about racing, training, commuting or JRA, I can't see a reason not to wash your kit. Whether it's made of nylong, cotton or sheep.

[il padrone]

No problem, I'd agree that washing kit is easier around home. But every unit washed is just adding to our water consumption. Merino jerseys are just one other option that needs a bit less frequent washing, while not developing a pong problem. Same goes for cotton or wool socks. Now wool knicks, I will not return to.

[il padrone]

Wool knicks!! Shesh, they are still making these things .

lightweight interlock knit with a touch of nylon and elastic for power. No sagging!

Really not sure that I can believe that - too many old memories

[ozzymac]

The only thing I wash every day are my sunnies......

Everything else gets hung out in the sun dried and aired off and its good for 3 to 4 days.

Hasn't attracted to many flies so far.



Cheers



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[greyhoundtom]

The only thing I wash every day are my sunnies......

Everything else gets hung out in the sun dried and aired off and its good for 3 to 4 days.

Hasn't attracted to many flies so far.

What wash your cycling gear? .............They way I ride the only time I ever have to wash my cycling clothing is when it gets dirty due to me falling off the bike.

[toolonglegs]

I wash everyday... even my gloves ( due to snot ). Have to wash everyday with kids in the house so not a big issue... plus sponsors give us plenty of cheap but great quality kit so I have a good back up supply.
Gets a bit much in winter though when you start wearing 10 -15 articles of clothing .