Keeping your bicycle clean this winter

January might have been a relatively dry month across Britain, but a combination of freezing temperatures and widespread gritting made the roads seem especially grimy. Cleaning a bike after every ride is an arduous task, but recommended if components are not to corrode or wear prematurely.

Win a bicycle cleaning kit

To make the task easier, we’ve got a Muc-Off 8-in-1 Bike Cleaning Kit to give away. The kit includes a washer bucket with snap-seal lid, 1-litre Muc-Off spray cleaner with trigger, 500 ml Bike Spray maintenance lube, 4 bike-specific brushes, and a micro-cell sponge. To be in with a chance to win the cleaning kit, simply leave us a message at the bottom of this page and we will draw a winner next week.

Bicycle showers

People often cite the lack of a workplace shower as the reason they don't commute by bike, but the truth is that, in reality, it is far from vital. Of more importance is somewhere to store and dry clothes when it had rained. The demand for workplace showers inspired us to create our own DIY version.

The DIY shower hack transforms a standard loo into a fully-functioning hot water shower. The design uses a plasterer’s bucket, chair, chin-up bar and plastic curtain to create a functioning shower that can be assembled in minutes. Once finished with, the shower can be packed away just as quickly.

The DIY shower illustrates how creativity can overcome a reliance on facilities – in reality, you don’t need to build anything if you follow a few simple guidelines.

• The number one rule when cycling to a workplace without washing facilities of its own, is don’t skip a shower before you leave home. When you arrive at work, find a discreet spot and wipe yourself down with disposable baby wipes
• Take inspiration from cyclists in continental Europe who tend to ride their bikes slower when they commute to work – it doesn’t add much to the journey time and you don’t sweat. They’ve also understood how mudguards stop road muck getting on your clothes
• The easiest way to get access to a shower if there are no washing facilities at your place of work is to join local gym
• It doesn’t solve the problem of getting clean, but keep a supply of shirts at work. Wool stays clean the longest.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.

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