On tour, it isn't always easy to find a shower when you need one. It helps to be clean, though. Some of us sleep better and feel better.
So, I'm wondering what sorts of techniques people have come across for keeping clean during a tour? Any ideas?
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I use wet wipes to get the dirt off, then wipe that residue off with a wet washcloth. In the summer I find a pond or pool.
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I actually purchased a "no water required" shampoo and soap. I haven't tried it yet. Anyone else?
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I have tried that stuff and it gets oild and dirt out of your hair, if it's just the usual sweat and grease. Not much of a priority for me these days...
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Baby wipes or a dip in a nearby stream or lake.
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In hot summer weather I will take 'water bottle showers'. This is easy if you have a nearby source of water to refill bottles and rinse clothing afterwords. It is best to have three bottles of water. Strip down to bike shorts or swim trunks (swimsuit for ladies) and sandles, use a little water to get yourself wet and suds up (if i am not around families with children, I'll stick my hand in my shorts and suds up my privates), then wet your hair and suds up with shampoo. This should all be done using one bottle. Use the other two bottles to rinse, starting with your hair and working to your feet (rinsing your hair is a lot easier and takes less water if you have a buddy holding the water bottle). Rinse your clothing enough that you can change in your tent without leaving a soapy mess. Pick a spot where the runoff won't be a problem; I've done this in parking lots and city streets next to a storm drain and in trailhead bathrooms with a floor drain.
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its fun to stay at the
Y M C A !
But seriously, if you roll through town, most gyms will give you a day pass. So last resort, its a free or a $5 shower. Plus, alot of hotels have pools that are relatively unguarded duing the day. maybe even hot tubs. And sometimes if you're there early enough, you can snag a free continental breakfast! (锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mostly I do like the list above but on occation you find a gem,like in Austin Tx. there is an apt building just west of the UT Campus that when it was being built the plumbers must have made a mistake,one of the garden hose spigots has all the hot water one can stand and its hiding behind a privicy fence off in a corner way out fo sight of anyone!!
And truckstops can make a good shower stop too.
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Yes! Truck stops are great!
On one trip, I had a few hours to kill before catching the ferry to Rimouski, Quebec, where I was booked to catch a train for the long ride home. I visited a truck stop, had a $4 or $5 home-cooked meal, and then showered at the truck stop. I changed into clean clothes, coasted downhill to the ferry terminal, and a few hours later, I was on my way home.
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lots of state parks (in Wisco) have pools; one tour I planned to sleep in the parks, and everyone had a pool with showers, or showers in the park.
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I love hearing these stories about being resourceful!
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I have to confess that although I use the alcohol wipes, every few days I come out of the woods and stay at a B&B or 2 star hotel for a good soak. I also wash my clothes, but I never cook in the room.
