BMX and Hygiene

Ok, I accept that many, perhaps even most, BMX riders are in their teens. As such, they may just scoff at this post. But there are good reasons why all riders (BMX and otherwise) should care for their hygiene:

• Some people like the sickly-sweet smell of fresh sweat; nobody likes the smell of old, bacterially digested sweat.
• Calloused hands show you work hard, but don't feel so nice against soft skin.
• Fresh smelling pads and riding cloths will keep you excited about going out for a ride.

Hand Care

First things, first, when you're done riding, working on your bike, or otherwise, it is good practice to clean off after. Soaps can leave your skin dryer than they began. Even "moisturizing" soaps don't quite do it for me. I highly recommend Phil Wood Hand Cleaner. It is an oatmeal based hand cleaner that leaves your hands feeling refreshed, clean, and supple.

But Phil's hand cleaner won't be enough to remove the grater that is some riders' callouses. For this, there isn't much better than a pumice stone. Properly shaped, and preferably with one side bonded to tough nylon bristles for cleaning out under your finger nails, these little gems will let you round off and reduce the callouses. To work properly, hop in a hot shower; once your skin has soften, gently round off the callouses. You'll be surprised how much callous skin can be removed.

Foot Care

You can use your new pumice stone to soften the callouses on your heals and toes as well. The nylon bristles work well as a quick exfoliant to remove dead skin cells on top of your skin. And remember to clean and trim those nails too! Removing dead skin cells will give bacteria less to eat, producing less smelly excrement to make your shoes smell.

Clothing

Cotton sucks! Sure it is cheap and readily available, but it absorbs moisture, leaving a dark, humid environment for those little nasties to have a field day. Many synthetics, and animal fibers (such as wool) do a much better job at moving sweat off of your skin and out to be evaporated, and effectively cool you. So should you go out and buy some synthetics to help you keep cooler, and smell less? Sure, if you can find some you would be comfortable wearing at the skate park.

Many bicycle shops will stock a good variety of aesthetic options for jerseys that will keep you cool. Shorts are a different story. I'd look to MTB shorts, as many of them have removable chamois. Fox racing offers a full line of MTB gear that may match your style. Have a look through MTB catalogs on line or in your local bike shop to find something you like.

In some cases, their either isn't a non-cotton choice, or no choice you would be caught at the park wearing. This especially hit me with pads. I have a full set of leg padding, much of which is constructed with cotton or (even worse) polyester. I could toss them in the washing machine, but I worry the stitching will tear and the pads will begin to fail. A solution I heard from a cat while I was in Oslo, is to toss the pads (pants, shoes, etc) in a zip-loc bag, and put it in the freezer over night. The extreme cold temperature will kill many bacteria, leaving your cloths relatively odorless.

Haircare

Wash it. But find some shampoo and conditioner that matches your hair (dry, regular, oily) in the current season. This is also a time to pick a scent for your hair. Trust me, its nice with a little decedent scent.

It can be expensive, but I adore L'occitane.