Those that wear a suit and cycle to work...

[Deluded]

How do you do it?

Probably a silly question but I presume you don't cycle in a shirt and tie?

I've just started a new job and am within cycling distance again so want to get my bike out and get back into a cycling commute. My new job means I need to wear a shirt and tie and look reasonably smart.

I presume people in this situation pack their work clothing and change at work. How do you pack it without getting it creased? Does rolling it up help?

[davepoth]

I've just started riding a little folding bike the mile or so to the bus stop to get an extra 15 minutes in bed. I wear a shirt and tie on the bike, but it's not an especially strenuous ride. Your best bet, if you really need to look immaculate, is to drive in one day a week to drop off five shirts and a clean suit.

[Deluded]

I don't need to look immaculate, just not like I haven't bothered to iron my shirt.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

I ride with work clothes. Fold your trousers into 4 and put as flat as you can at the back of your rucksack. Put everything else, bar your shirt, into the bottom of the rucksack. Lightly fold / roll your shirt and put it in the top of the rucksack squashing it as little as possible. It might not look freshly pressed but it is more than passable. Either that or I am such a scruff most days that no one notices the difference

[JQ]

I drive in once a week with ironed shirts, clean undies and socks. I leave suits, wash bag, belt, shoes etc etc permanently in the office. We have a shower however if one's not available I hear wetwipes are very good.

[JQ]

Duplicate post

Edited by JQ on Thursday 12th May 09:56

[voicey]

On Monday I take a rucksack with enough shirts and under garments for the week as I'm lucky enough to have a locker at work which I can keep my suits and wash kit. On Friday I take it all home again for my wife to wash and iron over the weekend.

This morning I was following a guy on a road bike wearing a suit, shirt, tie and helmet - he was giving it some stick. God knows what he'll smell like today!

[donfisher]

[Hackney]

I really don't get people who cycle to work in a suit.

When I cycle to work - admittedly 12 miles - I need a shower.
But I do see loads of people around London in a suit - how do they do it?
Are they pleasant to work with....or near?

[TonyHetherington]

I leave trousers and shoes at work, and bring in a shirt in my backpack every day. works quite well.

[okgo]

I do what Tony does.

Google Eagle Creek shirt carrier. Works a charm.

http://www.caseluggage.com/eagle%20creek-pack%20it...

ETA

[sjg]

It's not hard, depending on distance and what else you have to carry.

- for shorter distances in flatter places and good weather, just ride in your work clothes. Keep the pace nice and easy, don't race traffic or other cycle commuters and it's fine. The dutch manage it just fine. Cycling a few miles won't make you smell if you're clean in the first place.

- for longer distances and with a regular desk/office/locker, leave shoes, trousers and jacket behind and just take in a fresh shirt each day (or a load for the week). I have a shirt carrier thing like this for travel which keeps shirts in a good state. I know some people that will keep a supply of shirts in their office, and drop them at the dry cleaner each week though. Not that expensive if you're a regular customer.

- if you're all over the place, there's always travel suits from the likes of Rohan that can just be rolled up and stuffed in a bag. Wouldn't want to carry all that plus laptop and other bits though.

[donfisher]

Yep, if you've not got far to go, taking it easy on the ride in would probably be less sweaty than walking or taking the tube.

I'd just be worried about coming off the bike and trashing the suit.

[Agoogy]

Up until now I start with shoes in the bottom...on top of that a rolled towel which is I then roll the trousers round, and then the shirt round that and then shove it in on top in the rucksack....
oh and lunch in their too...somehow...
Now I'll be checking those links above...but SO FAR no-one has said to me I need to up my presentation level...
(25 min commute)

[Kermit power]

I also go with the one day per week on the train approach so that I can take fresh shirts in.

It does, however, depend on how and how far you ride, I suppose. I'm doing 15 miles each way, and pushing myself to try and do it faster every day (66 minutes this morning), so I'd be bloody antisocial by the end of the day if I couldn't shower on arrival, never mind trying to do it in my suit!

If, on the other hand, you've only got to go a couple of miles, aren't competitive with yourself or others and have a bike with an upright riding position and chain guards, then why not go in your suit?

[Kermit power]

[oyster]

I go in by train every so often with a suit carrier and a load of clean and pressed shirts then just leave them in the office with my shoes.

I take about 15 shirts in at a time which lasts me about a month (some can be worn twice if it's post-shower).

Then just take clean socks and underwear in each day.

[okgo]

I figure I'm going to need a rucksack each day so I may aswell put a shirt in there each day instead of bringing a load in early week and then having to carry a big bag with a pump and a few other bits in.

Plus that way it gives the Mrs time to iron them to order

[warp9]

I've been cycling 8 miles each way for the last 6 weeks now and have got it down to:
1) Panniers rather than rucksac as I get a really sweaty back and can find the straps constricting over the chest.
2) Roll shirt and trousers up together - not brilliant, but not bad. (leave jacket and shoes at the office)
3) Shower in the morning at home, then wet wipes, deo and after shave at work - no complaints yet!
4) Try to take it steady going in, so don't get too moist, then hammer it home.
5) Consider what you are wearing. I started with a bright orange cycle jacket, but was totally unbreathable and was drenched by journeys end. Now wear shorts and t-shirt. I'm sure there are some really good breathable fabrics out there.

Some other things to consider - I eat my breakfast at work as got stomach cramps if eating before hand. I struggle to motivate myself to get on the bike, but once there really enjoy the ride. Cycling past static traffic is particularly satisfying. I've also got into scoring how many cyclists I overtake vs get overtaken by. This doesn't help the steady cycle in! You will notice your average speed going up quite quickly and legs get well solid. Haven't lost any weight yet...

Good luck and enjoy!

[voicey]

warp9 said:

I've been cycling 8 miles each way for the last 6 weeks now and have got it down to:
1) Panniers rather than rucksac as I get a really sweaty back and can find the straps constricting over the chest.
2) Roll shirt and trousers up together - not brilliant, but not bad. (leave jacket and shoes at the office)
3) Shower in the morning at home, then wet wipes, deo and after shave at work - no complaints yet!
4) Try to take it steady going in, so don't get too moist, then hammer it home.
5) Consider what you are wearing. I started with a bright orange cycle jacket, but was totally unbreathable and was drenched by journeys end. Now wear shorts and t-shirt. I'm sure there are some really good breathable fabrics out there.

Some other things to consider - I eat my breakfast at work as got stomach cramps if eating before hand. I struggle to motivate myself to get on the bike, but once there really enjoy the ride. Cycling past static traffic is particularly satisfying. I've also got into scoring how many cyclists I overtake vs get overtaken by. This doesn't help the steady cycle in! You will notice your average speed going up quite quickly and legs get well solid. Haven't lost any weight yet...

Good luck and enjoy!

8 miles and no shower! :-0 I cover the same distance on my commute and couldn't even think about riding such a distance without showering afterwards.