Hot take: Riding slow vs carrying deodorant for the summer commute

After getting caught in that surprise heatwave near the Fremont bridge last June, I realized I either need to drop my speed by 5 mph or just pack a travel deodorant in my bag. Which side do you fall on for beating the sweat without showing up late?

2 comments

2 Comments

michaelw2612d ago

Ever tried one of those cooling towels you soak and ring out? They're like fifteen bucks on Amazon and you just wrap it around your neck, the evaporation keeps you way cooler than deodorant ever could. I was skeptical but now I keep one in my saddlebag year round, makes a huge difference even on the hottest days. Plus it doubles as a bandana if you need to wipe sweat off your face during a red light. Not sure how it holds up at higher speeds though, the wind might dry it out too fast.

the_andrew12d ago

Oh man, yeah I got one of those last summer and it's basically my go to now. I was the same way, thought it was just a gimmick but after a long ride in July heat I was totally sold. I usually soak it at a gas station when I stop for water and just wring it out enough so it's not dripping, then tuck it under my collar. At higher speeds it actually still works pretty good for me, the airflow just makes the evaporation stronger so it stays cool longer, but yeah it does dry out faster if you're going 70 for a long stretch.