8mi commute in work clothes?

[olenka]

Hi all,
I’d like to start riding my bike to work (about 8-9 miles; from Takoma Park to Union Station) but I can’t bear the thought of bringing my work clothes to the office ahead of time, and folding them in a backpack isn’t ultra appealing either. Does anybody else do a 8-10 mile commute in their work clothes? For me, work clothes means business casual; often on the casual side. Any tips on how to make this work, especially in the winter, when dress shoes, tights, and a skirt isn’t going to cut it, warmth-wise?
I am aiming to get a rack with panniers on my bike in the next couple of weeks, so I will be able to trek some stuff around with me. I just want to keep it simple if possible.
Thanks for any advice!

Topic

[FFX_Hinterlands]

I bike commute 2x week a little over 7 miles one way. In the summer I wear shorts and a T-shirt and change at work. I roll up my work pants and shirt and carry them with me. I also take a small towel (one of those bright yellow microfiber clothes that come in the 100 pack at Costco) to wipe off any sweat. I need a shower when I get home but not in the morning. As long as you’re clean when you leave home you likely won’t stink all day.
In the winter I wear work pants (Business Casual) and (either sneakers or casual) shoes and change shirts at work. I have a light shell that I wear over an lightweight wool long underwear top when it gets below 40. I just roll up my work shirts. It’s worked so far (9 months of commuting). You will need mittens or good gloves when it gets cold. I also add some long underwear bottoms under my pants but I haven’t needed to yet (lowest temp was just below freezing so far). I wear a thin beanie under my helmet and down over my ears (one that is made of mid weight long underwear material).
I don’t really see the need to do the full lycra thing for 7 or 8 miles, but if some people are more comfortable that way, why not?

[Joe Chapline]

@americancyclo 1374 wrote:

Just saw this, if y’all need some 180s for cheap
http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=218869046

I’ve never seen them so cheap. I ordered 9 pairs. If there’s nothing wrong with these, then my relatives are all getting $3 Christmas presents from me this year.

[Tim Kelley]

@Joe Chapline 1376 wrote:

I’ve never seen them so cheap. I ordered 9 pairs.

Buy.com is now SOLD OUT. I guess you got the last ones…and now my ears are going to be cold for the next 4 months.

[Joe Chapline]

@Tim Kelley 1377 wrote:

Buy.com is now SOLD OUT. I guess you got the last ones…and now my ears are going to be cold for the next 4 months.

I’ll give you a pair when I see you.

[skreaminquadz]

@americancyclo 1374 wrote:

Just saw this, if y’all need some 180s for cheap
http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=218869046

Thanks for posting this. I use these on days I Metro into work and they’re awesome.

[Steve O]

You can also go half and half. Wear your work pants (protecting the cuffs as per Joe C.) but pack your shirt. That way you can wear a shirt you don’t mind sweating a little in. Then you only need to change your shirt when you get to work, and it will be fresher. In the warmer months you may need to sponge off if you don’t want to (or have) a shower. Also, keep deodorant at work.
I also found that in the warmer months if I didn’t have a meeting right away, I could check emails and do some other work for 20 minutes to cool down before changing into my fresher clothes.

I kept a couple of sport coats and ties at work permanently for those occasions when I needed them.

Also, keep extra underwear in your desk at work. I learned this lesson the hard way! Definitely something you don’t want to forget.

[Joe Chapline]

I’ve never had that much trouble commuting in work clothes in the summer, because I leave for work in the early morning, and it’s almost never really hot. (There were some exceptions last summer.) I may be soaked in sweat when I get home in the evening, but so what? I’m at home. But my commute is only a couple of miles through the city, and I’m not setting any speed records.

[Author]

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