WHY DOES YOUR BIKE STUFF SMELL SO BAD ?

Let’s face it. Some people’s stuff just stinks.!  And no, it’s not your riding buddies baked beans habit.  The worst is when you can smell the people you’re riding with, especially when they ride in front of you and you’re planning a hasty get-away to avoid burning your nose-hairs.  It’s one thing if you can smell your own stuff, but when the people riding behind you can smell you as well, you’ve crossed the line.

If your stuff smells, there is hope. Follow some guidelines and you don’t have to smell!

Answer:

The main source of smelly stuff is helmets, gloves, and clothing that don't dry out properly. I know, your helmet makes for a perfect spot to put your gloves, but don't do it! Don't put your gloves inside your helmet after you ride, make the commitment to place both your helmet and your gloves somewhere where they will dry separately and quickly.

The same advice applies to shorts and shirts. Never ball your clothes up somewhere where they won't dry out properly after a ride.

To solve the dryout problem I use two tricks. First, I don't immediately pack anything away after a ride. If I drove to the ride, I leave it all out in my car until I get home. Second, if and when I do pack my stuff up, I don't ball anything up, and I use an open meshed bag that allows everything to continue to dry quickly.

Finally, there is nothing wrong with washing your stuff regularly. Really, you should wash your shorts and shirt after every ride, and if its necessary, you can do the same with your gloves and helmet padding. I keep multiples of everything around so I can rotate them through my normal clothes washes.