How To

Summer Tips From A Girl

August 13, 2012

By Nikki Barrett | Photos by Adam Booth and Drew Ruiz

Ok boys,

It’s summer! The days are long and the possibilities are endless. Your bikes are begging for attention and so are your girlfriends/wives. Here are some simple tips to keep everyone happy as the weather heats up! (Of course this doesn’t pertain to girls that ride- because we’re made of sugar and spice and always smell nice!) To beat the sweaty gear/body smell that is marinating in your truck right now- and has us asking, “What the hell is that smell?”…

Make or buy some fabric freshener. To make it: grab a clean spray bottle, add 2-3 teaspoons of whatever fabric softener you have, fill the spray bottle with water and shake. This makes an effective and inexpensive fabric freshener that can be substituted for the name brand stuff, i.e. Febreze.
When I'm going to the track with you, give your helmet lining a single hit of the freshener BEFORE you go riding. At the end of the day, your hair will still be sweaty and dirty- but amazingly, it won't assault the senses. (This also works for boots if your feet get funky.) Now when you ask about getting food on the way home, I won't worry about you showering first.
It goes without saying, but keep a stick of deodorant in your truck. We love to watch you ride, but after cheering at the track all day, the last thing I want is to breathe your BO the whole way home. Trust me, we love you more when you don't smell like a dead yak.
Wash your gear. Simple I guess, but more than once I've seen you sniffing your jersey or helmet in your gear bag and realizing it wasn't washed. Eww. BO doesn't get better in layers, it gets exponentially worse! If you can't wash your gear between a marathon ride schedule and you must wear stinky stuff- hit it with some of the fabric spray. This will keep the riders behind you from passing out and me from throwing up when you get close.
Designate a beach towel to become your seat cover after riding. I know you love driving home all sweaty and showing off after a few motos, but lets not saturate the seat with that toasted nut smell. (Left unchecked, this can become a deal breaker by the end of summer!) Toss this towel in the wash with your gear when you get home and Ta-Da your seat won't be a sanctuary for nastiness. Am I going with you to the track? Give your moto towel a few sprays of freshener before heading out- the truck will smell nice at the end of the day.
Don't toss your sweaty gear in the back seat. Ever. Your gear is soggy and will soak into everything. Good luck if a lone sock or legging somehow slides under the seat! It will become a stink bomb each time your truck sits in the sun. Instead, bundle your gear into your jersey and tie the arms over the bottom opening. This sushi roll can dry out next to the bike on the drive home.
Keep a bottle of freshener in the truck. Notice a whiff of moto ripeness? Give your carpets a quick spray before picking me up for dinner.