Bike commuting w/o Being Gear Girl?

It has been a busy two weeks and spring weather is starting to come to my neck of the woods. As the weather has improved I have tried a few days of bike commuting and think I will be doing more to both improve my fitness and to save on gas. My conundrum is what to wear!?

I have read the posts from about a year ago that some of you shared their bike commute style. My problem is this: intensity. I live about 3 miles up the mountainside from town and I will be towing the 105 (loaded weight) pound kid carrier (two DD included). I can get to town in 15 min with a low amount of physical exertion, but getting home the effort is substantial (and about 50 minutes).

I must have my clip in shoes and chamois shorts to make it up. I was sweating like a dog in a tank base layer, short sleeve jersey, and arm warmers--basically a tank top and long sleeve T--in 28 degrees F (and going about 2 MPH is a gear of 22-34 for any of you cyclists out there who might relate the challenge). I do have said kid carrier (lots of room!) to drop in another pair of shoes/sandals, extra clothes. but I feel silly trying to change all my clothes at the park (no bathrooms!), children's museum, or other likely places we will be going.

I was thinking to wear my bike shorts under a summer knit dress then change shoes from my cleats to sandals/ballets upon arrival before departure (we'd probably hang at these places 1-2 hrs) but then do I just stand around in my chamois? Which as a former competitive cyclist sounds like a plan for skin troubles.... we always pulled that stuff off as soon as possible after a ride.

I probably dont need gear for the downhill ride into town, might I just go casual clothes and bring a full gear kit for the uphill ride, changing once right before leaving my destination?

I'd like to stay as sylish and possible and not be gear girl all summer, any thoughts or ideas appreciated! Thanks

12 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I have no personal experience with this, but I do read the sewing blog of a gal who bikes to work, and the fashion blog of another one. Maybe some of their posts will give you ideas?
http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com/
http://fashionforgiants.blogspot.com/
BTW, just reading the description of your uphill climb home with two DDs attached makes me impressed.

Sarah A

Thanks Laura! I have gotten a couple great ideas just from a quick look at those blogs!
1. Sew a open front wrap/faux wrap skirt
2. Use a circle skirt that has been in the hold pile
I am sure I will find even more when I can search their archives Thanks so much!

sarah

Your situation makes it a bit trickier to just wear "normal" clothes, especially with that climb and the trailer. But I like your idea of summer dresses or skirts over bike shorts. Could you get away with just wearing yoga shorts instead of a chamois, since the ride is only 3 miles? They might be more comfortable to just leave on than bike shorts. Or you could get a pair of spin class shorts that are a bit less "hefty" in the chamois department. And swapping out shoes makes sense for fashion and because it's not really practical to walk around in your clips.

Isabel

Wow. Is pretty much all I can say. It is hard to keep it together for that type of ride. Will you be doing it daily with your girls ?

I do like the idea of riding down in "street" clothes and then changing before you go up. I love the idea of a wrap skirt. You could even just buy a yoga one to do the trick.

have you seen this Iva Jean skirt ? It is expensive, but since you sew, maybe you could duplicate the idea with dresses and skirts.

Sarah -- i find I move pretty far foward to the nose of my saddle when I climb like that so I was thinking the chamois was needed but maybe not? I do have some triathlon gear with a thin chamois I should try... wouldnt have thought of that so thanks!

Isabel -- I did two days last week, the goal would be to build to 4 or 5. It can become a lot, but I am trading around other workouts I do to keep the total volume (in hours) of exercise I do in a week fairly steady. We are trying to see if we can reduce to owning one car (instead of two) so the Iva Jean skirt would be pretty cheap in comparison Thanks for the ideas.

Isis

Give your chamois a try under a dress----I've toured in hot summer days and been in chamois on a saddle for 10+ hours and not had skin problems. You won't sweat much on the trip down and then you should be fine for another hour or two....(I'd hate to change for just an hour or two, personally).

So impressed that you can haul 100+ pounds up a mountain!

Anonymous

Yeah I think you should be fine. I like cycling in chamois shorts and tossing a wrap skirt over when I reach my destination. I sweat like crazy though so usually when I am biking it is necessary for me to just change completely.
We've gone down to one car for the past two years, and it has been great, but now having our daughter start school in September we are probably going to have to get a second car, which I hate. We really only need like 1/10th of a car during September to June, but logistics and weather aren't our friends.

Day Vies

I am completely impressed with your commitment to bike with DDs in tow!

I am not sure I have great suggestions for looking pulled together yet comfy. I do think the best solution will involve a change of clothes so that you are comfortable with the trek home in comfy workout gear.

I just remember struggling with this in college because I lived on a large campus and rode my bike everywhere and I looked disheveled most of the time.

Isis -- That is a good point. The chamois wont be sweaty from the easy spin down the hill. Up the mountain is just hitting the right gearing and committing to a "slog" Thanks!

Ceit -- I am so excited to hear you have enjoyed being a car-lite family. My oldest is starting K the year after next so I appreciate your insights. I hadnt really thought how that would change our commuting so I really appreciate your sharing your situation.

Day Vies -- I have got to laugh about look disheveled most of the time! I cannot imagine you looking disheveled.... I, on the other hand, am reacllaing when I rode to get my hair cut in the rain at about 18 yrs old (no car) and not having enough cash to pay for a shampoo, only a cut. I think the stylist was a bit irritated!

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