That is…Funky

What is that smell?  

Technology has improved and has given us so many great things that have advanced the ease and enjoyment of our sport. Synthetic clothing has been a part of that. I am thankful for these advancements – both in summer and winter. Although improving, some synthetics can hold odor.  

I am sure you have been there. What is that smell? Only to eventually realize it is you – your helmet, jersey, gloves, handlebar tape, whatever.  

There are fancy cleaning agents, and some are better than others. I have my own system. What is my system? Biz & warm water. Much less cleaning agent than recommended. Warm water? What about cold? The label says cold water only. The warm water is not warmer than me or the sweat on it. It will be fine. Disclaimer – Biz is enzyme-based and should not be used on bike clothing. Yep, that is what they say. I have not had any problems. Other things? Wash it as soon as the ride ends. Do not leave it sitting in washer when done, hang it up quickly. If I am driving a distance, then I have a container with water and I put clothing in there with Biz so instead of marinating in a hot car for 2 hours it is presoaking. Absolutely solves all odors? No. Best I have found? Yes. Enough of my system.

In general, you know the things that help most. Wash it soon; wash it well.  

Wash it well. Brings me to a deviation in the article, an aside regarding those new washers. Blah. You know the ones that use a thimble of water and then promptly try to beat your clothing clean. Not a fan. Yes, suspect I am about to make enemies here. My theory is that water does a better job than detergent. Yes, I say in most cases more water is better than more detergent…and detergent and minuscule water. No, I do not have scientific research to back me up. But, in most things hazardous what is the primary action? Dilution. Carbon Monoxide will kill you. It is all around you now. But it is in small enough quantities that it is fine. Carbon Monoxide detector goes off in your house, get out of the house and open the windows – dilute. Find problem area, fix. Same with lead, arsenic and radiation. Those things are in our food and in our environment. They are naturally occurring. They are only dangerous in certain quantities. Oxygen will kill you in too high of a concentration. Dilute. Dilute. Dilute. Not too much with oxygen – too much and too little are bad for you.

Why do I go here? Well, I had a pair of socks that I wore when riding my mountain bike. They lived in another town. I had clothing and a bike in that town because I frequented that location. The washer available was a high-tech spaceship like machine that – you guessed it – seemed to be very selfish with water. Those socks had dirt stains around the ankles. Or so I thought. Years later when I did not frequent that location, those items returned to my home…and my ‘old’ washer that uses water with less greed.  First wash – socks were clean. Really clean…looked new…no stain at all. Hmmmm. It was not stained; it was dirt that the other washer did not get out because it used so little water.  

I know, we need to conserve water. I agree. I water my plants with water from secondary sources when possible and do what I can with gray water. I wonder. Is it more dangerous for us to put detergents into our water systems or to use more water? We have decided that detergents clean our products. Or those companies tell us how radically important their product is in getting our clothing clean. Detergents often allow water to clean more efficiently and sometimes deeper. But do we always need lots of detergent…or any detergent? Would a bit more water (and less detergent) solve that problem and also not send as much harsh cleaning agent to the water treatment plant to handle?

Just a thought. Comments will be on so that you can roast me. 

Before I move back to our gear, let me be clear. I am all for conserving water. Please, let’s do it. I am doing my part. The same person that chastised me about my method of washing my bike goes to the automatic car wash to wash her car with great frequency. The ones that have water flowing constantly and use a ridiculous amount of water during and between car washes. I say that to suggest that often we can all do better but attacking another for their choice is often easier than looking at our choices and making changes there. We can all improve – lets please start by looking within.  

Ok – back to clothing and washing.  

I think we can agree that we wash our shorts, socks, and jersey after every ride. I hope so. If not, please consider starting. What about your gloves and helmet?  

In the past cycling gloves were made of real leather. You could not throw them in the laundry, and they were difficult to clean. If you lived through leather gloves you know the smell they acquired over time.  Sometimes you just had to get rid of them because they were just – rank. Now most cycling gloves are synthetic. I throw mine in with my other gear – they get washed after every ride. No reason not to. They are dirty. Some real dirt, some snot, and much sweat. Worried about the Velcro? Use a wash bag. You wash yours every ride also?  

Helmet? You cannot throw it in the washing machine. I used to take it in the shower with me and clean it.  Now I have a nice utility sink near my bike storage and can conveniently wash it at that location. Every ride? In the summer, mostly. In the winter, maybe not every ride… especially since I wear a skull cap under it. But with frequency.

Just some things to consider.  

Water bottles? I think (hope) most wash them after every ride. I have known a few people in the past that did not. They were affectionately referred to by a cycling publication as ‘water bottle slobs.’  Hah.  Even if you do not use sugary drinks and only use water; they need washing. Especially now with those nice one-way valves for drinking. Sometimes even with frequent washing they get that telltale growth in the nozzle area. We have not even mentioned hydration packs. They are another beast entirely. For those, I use the suggestion to store them in the freezer after washing. It certainly does keep the funk from growing.  

Shoes? Yes, they need attention. Periodic washing is important but drying is also. Even just drying out after a ride where they are not washed. I do not know where you store your bike or your shoes, but sometimes they are in locations where the ventilation is not best. They do not need to sit wet/damp. I have a fan on mine. I know, most manufacturers do not recommend that. It works for me. Some spray the inside of shoes with something. I mix Eucalyptus essential oil with water in a spray bottle. I spray it in my shoes (and clothing bag if I do not have the water pre-soak mentioned earlier). Eucalyptus and Tea Tree oil are natural antifungals. Depending on your nose, they also smell pleasant.

Some of you are paying close attention and are waiting patiently for me to get to the handlebar tape that I mentioned earlier. Good catch, thanks for paying such close attention. No, I do not launder my handlebar tape; but you should wash it when you wash your bike. You should change it regularly. Have you ever smelled old handlebar tape – yuck. It is also a good time to check your handlebars. If you ride aluminum, that sweat can destroy that bar – quickly. Yes, that sweat gets in the tape and when the salts come in contact with your aluminum bars – not good. If you do not know what to look for, if there is any white powder/residue and/or pitting…ask the bike shop.  

Anyway – the premise of the article started out as – washing your gear. What do you wash after every ride? What do you wash periodically? You might want to chastise/support my thoughts on the newer washing machines. Go for it. I welcome all opinions.