I washed my cycling clothes each evening and could have gotten by with one set of cycling clothes. I first stood on my clothes while taking a shower. Next, I hand-washed and rinsed them in a waste basket (in the tub/shower to avoid slopping on the floor).
The tour company handed out little ziplock bags of Tide — enough for one machine load per bag. Their intentions were for us to use them in the motel washers, but I used mine in 
my room. To wash I kneaded the clothes with my hands in the waste basket.
For drying, I hung them outside on a chair, railing or on the luggage rack for suitcases — if the sun was shining. If it wasn’t a good day for drying outside, I clothes-pinned them to the curtains above the heater/air conditioner unit (which is generally directly below the window in a motel). The upward blowing vents would have them dry by morning. (See photo.) This procedure worked well for my seven weeks on the road.
Judy added a drying tip:
To dry hand-washed clothing faster on tour, use “The Absorber.” Although it’s made for wiping water spots off a car, it works great for laundry.
Wash and rinse your shorts, jersey, and other garments. Roll the garments in The Absorber as you would a towel. Wring, unroll, and then wring out The Absorber, which has pulled water from the clothing. Repeat as necessary.
It’s like having an endless supply of dry towels. The Absorber costs $11-$13 in automotive and big-box stores. It can be reused forever (and washed if it gets dirty). Unlike a towel that youneed to dry between uses, you simply rinse The Absorber and put it away damp in its container. Mine haven’t molded yet, and I’ve had one for over 10 years.
If you have an idea for a QT, fire away. We’re always looking for good info we can share with fellow roadies. We would love to hear from you with any suggestions you have. Contact us by clicking Quick Tips Ideas.
—John Marsh & The RBR Team
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