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The challenges and considerations of biking to work

Sally

Veteran

My first commute by bike. I wore ponte pants with my sneakers and a striped top and wind jacket. It was mainly downhill so didn't think I would be sweaty but i was a bit. At work I replaced my shirt with black sweatshirt and leather jacket but felt the sweatshirt was too short so I put shirt back on. I've left my flats at work with jacket and sweatshirt as I'm biking again Monday. I think I'm going to need a wardrobe at work. I'm only biking when I'm not dropping my son. I also think I need a meatier bike as I'm riding 9 kms each way on a bike someone described as a tea and scones bike. Any suggestions for clothes. I can't carry too much..I think pants lasted the day well. Bonus pics of view while I ride.

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19 replies

Latest reply was from

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Beautiful view, nice bike and great outfit!

Bijou

Veteran

One of my colleagues rides to work and she drives into the office over the weekend and delivers her weeks worth of shirts, suits and heels into the office (in a hanging cupboard, I work in a corporate environment so the dress code is quite formal). She wears riding gear for the ride to and from the office. We have showers at work, which she uses to freshen up each morning. A 9km ride is a reasonable duration, so you are likely to prefer riding in gear rather than a work ensemble. Your outfit looks like a good compromise for being work appropriate and also giving you the freedom to ride your bike. I do love your bike - the colour is great and reminds me of the bike that I used to ride to school on.

Windchime

Veteran

Good for you, riding your bike to work. And what wonderful scenery you pass! Your outfit looks good on you.

I live just three miles from work and would like to bike there, weather permitting, but seldom do because I don't want to arrive at work sweaty. I also don't want to wear non-work clothing for the ride and stuff my work clothes into a backpack. They will be wrinkled, plus my backpack is full and heavy enough without them, especially footwear.

So, at least for me, riding a bike to work isn't as simple as it sounds. That's why I'm impressed that you are able to do it.

Mochi

Veteran

I'm not sure about your questions but will follow with interest, as I'm a biker as well.

A t-shirt to bike in and a shirt to change into when you arrive?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a gorgeous view and a pretty bike, but yes, I can see you might need a more serious version.

I would look into changing at work if possible. Even if there are no showers, you could sponge off or use some type of enviro-friendly wipe to freshen up. If there is somewhere to store a bit of clothing for the week that would be best of all so that things are not all wrinkled. It's a great way to go.

Anonymous

Your bike looks good to me, but it might be nice to have some more gears. I don't know how heavy it is, but a light bike DOES make a big difference, as do thin tires (which you already have).

Your work outfit is awesome!
As Bijou says, 9km is long enough for some gear. It depends on how comfortable you are wearing regular clothes on a bike though. It doesn't sound like things get very hot where you are so maybe a sports bra and hoodie is the way to go.

When I biked in to work many years ago, I wore Bermuda shorts and a bateau neck tank top. I didn't mind being a bit sweaty, but I wasn't in front of people.

I envy that you can bike to work!

sarah

Veteran

Hi Sally, I bike to work all summer and most of our (snowy) winter. In the summer, I can get away with wearing my regular clothes, but as it gets colder, I find I have to change some of my clothes, either because of the weather ruining my clothes or because I get overheated by the time I get to work. If you can get a pannier, I highly recommend it. In the fall/winter, I wear workout pants or even rain or snow pants and rain/winter boots, and I can fit my bottoms (skirt or trousers) + boots or booties in the pannier (I do sometimes leave some of my shoes at work). I also put my jacket/blazer in the pannier, and just wear my coat, so I don't overheat. My commute is shorter than yours (3 km, but not as scenic!) so you might also need to change out your top. Good luck!

sarah

Veteran

P.S. Angie once recommended getting a steamer for the office. I haven't done that, as I find that if I roll up my clothes, they are still in pretty good shape by the time I get to work.

Gaylene

Veteran

My own experience with biking to work (10k) with a couple of minor hills was to dress lightly, wear good quality knits, and never wear cotton (lightweight merino wool works much better). Like Sarah, I switched to more "gear" type clothing in bad weather and put my work shoes and clothes in my pannier. Suz's suggestion about using wipes also works.

My office didn't have space for clothes storage (except for the odd jacket) and it wasn't practical to use the showers at the other end of campus, but I did have a mirror to put on a bit of make-up after I arrived and kept a couple of hair products in my desk to create some semblance of a hairdo before going into the classroom.

On days when my appearance was critical, I opted to drive, but, as I got more accustomed to dressing for my bike commute, I learned how to "fake it" more easily. Biking was a great stress buster and the ride home was always a pure pleasure.

Beth Ann

Veteran

What a gorgeous commute (and a sweet looking bike)!

I'm a cyclist -- I like to tour and do trails on my mountain bike, and, even in the midwest, I use all my gears! If you decide you want to commit long term, you might prefer a lighter bike with more gearing.

I perspire too much to get away with wearing my work clothes, but it's entirely possible that a few wipes, and a switch of tops, would work well for you.

My husband and I use an app called Road ID. I receive a text when my DH starts out on a ride, and another when he finishes his ride. I can track his route whenever I wish, and, if he stops for more than 5 minutes, I get an alert. It also has emergency info on it should it be necessary (it hasn't).

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I ride two miles to work (one way), in fair weather only. I just wear my street clothes, sometimes even a skirt. My bike looks similar to yours, but it does have 24 gears, so I can get up and down hills comfortably (if slowly). If I rode 5 or 6 miles one way, I might perspire, so I might need to bring a change of top. I've found I like to wear my leather moto jacket, as you are in your photo, or a denim jacket, in cooler weather. Otherwise, a coat that has a two-way zipper, or a coat that buttons, so you can leave it open for your legs to move, is good.
When I leave in the morning, if I feel a little chilly, that's good, because by the time I get partway up the hill toward work, I'm warm. And then there's a long coast downhill for the second half. The ride back home is a steeper uphill ride, but I figure it doesn't matter if I get a little sweaty coming home.
Like Sarah and Gaylene, I have a pannier that goes on a rack over my rear bumper. I like using it rather than a backpack, because it keeps my back from getting sweaty.

Sally

Veteran

Thank you everyone...wow what a wealth of wisdom. sorry for the delay in responding...I ended up shopping today...totally unexpected.
Thanks Chewy.
Bijou, I'm lucky that my dress doesn't have to be too formal but I am more worried about being sweaty. Knowing those teenagers, they'd probably tell me though. I think leaving clothes at work is a good option.
Windchime...yeah what to wear is a pain but I think it can be done. I have one other colleague who bikes to work but she isn't into dressing up so would probably look at me strangely if I asked her about how to look stylish and bike to work.
Mochi...yeah I realise now I need a shirt to change into. i was hoping just going downhill I wouldn't get sweaty but i did.
Suz ...good idea about the wipes. I'm so far from the showers at work...it would feel like I was going camping to get to them.
Smittie....yeah I have one of those sports tops and tanktops...maybe one of those and then I wouldn't ruin even my t-shirts.
Sarah...I have thought about getting a pannier because they seem great for loading stuff. I think if when my son walks to school soon, i'll be able to bike nearly everyday and i'll invest in more gears and a pannier.
Gaylene...like you my showers are at the other end of the campus but I do have storeage. I have a small room behind my classroom. i put my bike in there while i was teaching and changed in there before school. I might put up a mirror. I'll put my clothes on the racks for when i bike. I want to learn to fake it too....makes like easier. It is a great stress buster, and a great way to start the day. i slept well last night.
Beth-Ann..what a great idea. i'm going to look up that road Id app. I do think I need more of a utility bike with more gears. I've noticed some people can bike up the massive hill on the way home and a lady who bikes every day said she can do it with her 22 gears but not to try with my 7.
Firecracker.....I thought since it was chilly and i was going downhill, i could wear my normal top but i think the back pack doesn't help. on the way home I managed to fit everything in the basket.
I'm looking at taking skirts to change into as they seem easier...I bought 2 summer ones today and light tops. I will leave shoes at work so i can just change my top and whip on a skirt. I will also get some wipes.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Those photos are amazing! What a great ride.
Glad you got some good advice. I don't have advice, but I'll cheer you on.

Alicewonderland

Veteran

Well for me what has helped most was getting an electric bike, and trailer to tow the kid. so that's sort of cheating, but lots of fun and I pedal as much as I feel like, so less on the way to work and more on the way back.
I like to wear dresses or skirts for work, and wear athletic leggings underneath for the bike ride. Then I just take off the leggings when I get to work in the bathroom and stuff it in my purse. Great that you are riding to work, keep it up!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Great pictures! No advice but you have that covered here.

Sally

Veteran

Thanks Alicewonderland ...an electric bike would be great or at least more gears. At the moment I can only bike to work occasionally when I don't need to drop my son. I envisage I'll be able to more and more as he gets older. Your idea about dresses and skirts sounds good. I would he able to do in summer.

Thanks Shevia.

Helen11

Veteran

Good on you for riding! I have never managed to do it. You've received some great tips above.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I commute to work every day and unfortunately sweat is always involved. Luckily, my short 3 mile commute to work is downhill and I tend to wear light breathable knits and dresses and have never had a problem wearing work clothes on a ride.

Anonymous

I love your bike!