Commuting Garb

Author
Discussion

ratbane

Original Poster:

1,374 posts

217 months

Friday 14th May 2010
quotequote all
I've decided to start commuting to work on my bike, as I'm finding it difficult to get out on the trails regularly, and my fitness is waning.

Distance is about 10miles each way.

What I'd like is some advice based upon the fact that I work in an office Environment, which requires smart dress code.

What gear (clothing/ruck sack) would experience commuters suggest would be most appropriate. I have a Camelback Mule, which wouldn't take office shoes/clothing TBH.




Amateurish

7,755 posts

223 months

Friday 14th May 2010
quotequote all
ratbane said:
I've decided to start commuting to work on my bike, as I'm finding it difficult to get out on the trails regularly, and my fitness is waning.

Distance is about 10miles each way.

What I'd like is some advice based upon the fact that I work in an office Environment, which requires smart dress code.

What gear (clothing/ruck sack) would experience commuters suggest would be most appropriate. I have a Camelback Mule, which wouldn't take office shoes/clothing TBH.
Do you have showers at or near work? I leave office kit at work then get changed after cycling in and showering.

JRM

2,043 posts

233 months

Friday 14th May 2010
quotequote all
Look up Eagle Creek. They sell a shirt and trouser holder, which is just a plastic board to fold your shirts around and a cover. Seems very simple and you could pobably just use a magazine to achieve the same effect, but it works better and is lighter.

I fold my shirt in to it each morning and it's perfectly fine to wear when I get into the office.

ratbane

Original Poster:

1,374 posts

217 months

Friday 14th May 2010
quotequote all
Amateurish said:
ratbane said:
I've decided to start commuting to work on my bike, as I'm finding it difficult to get out on the trails regularly, and my fitness is waning.

Distance is about 10miles each way.

What I'd like is some advice based upon the fact that I work in an office Environment, which requires smart dress code.

What gear (clothing/ruck sack) would experience commuters suggest would be most appropriate. I have a Camelback Mule, which wouldn't take office shoes/clothing TBH.
Do you have showers at or near work? I leave office kit at work then get changed after cycling in and showering.
No showers at work, but cleaning facilities of a kind.

JRM

2,043 posts

233 months

Friday 14th May 2010
quotequote all
ratbane said:
Amateurish said:
ratbane said:
I've decided to start commuting to work on my bike, as I'm finding it difficult to get out on the trails regularly, and my fitness is waning.

Distance is about 10miles each way.

What I'd like is some advice based upon the fact that I work in an office Environment, which requires smart dress code.

What gear (clothing/ruck sack) would experience commuters suggest would be most appropriate. I have a Camelback Mule, which wouldn't take office shoes/clothing TBH.
Do you have showers at or near work? I leave office kit at work then get changed after cycling in and showering.
No showers at work, but cleaning facilities of a kind.
Mop and bucket?

Chris71

21,536 posts

243 months

Friday 14th May 2010
quotequote all
I tend to end up having to drive in once a week or so and I just make sure I take a fresh set of clothes in when I do. As it's only a few hours in an air conditioned office I don't mind doubling up on shirts and the like, pants and socks I can bring in (and take home to wash!) more often stuffed in the back of the camelback.

As for washing/changing, I just retreat into a cubicle in the gents with a big pile of wet wipes and a significant quantity of deoderant. Job done. thumbup

It sounds like a pain, but it's really not that bad. So worth it to actually enjoy your commute rather than fester in the traffic.

OneDs

1,628 posts

177 months

Friday 14th May 2010
quotequote all
10 miles is enough to get quite mucky in bad weather and very sweaty in hot weather or if your going at any real pace.

Leave everthing you can at work. I'd say you've got couple of options:-

Look for a public swimming pool/gym nearby, they used to have a 10p for a shower at my local authority pool, I believe all authority owned leisure facilities still have to offer this service.

If you've ever been on a small yacht you'll know how to do a bath in a sink/cup of water or the wet wipe trick already alluded too.

Other than that only cycle when the weather is good and go slowly to avoid building up a sweat.

ratbane

Original Poster:

1,374 posts

217 months

Friday 14th May 2010
quotequote all
JRM said:
ratbane said:
Amateurish said:
ratbane said:
I've decided to start commuting to work on my bike, as I'm finding it difficult to get out on the trails regularly, and my fitness is waning.

Distance is about 10miles each way.

What I'd like is some advice based upon the fact that I work in an office Environment, which requires smart dress code.

What gear (clothing/ruck sack) would experience commuters suggest would be most appropriate. I have a Camelback Mule, which wouldn't take office shoes/clothing TBH.
Do you have showers at or near work? I leave office kit at work then get changed after cycling in and showering.
No showers at work, but cleaning facilities of a kind.
Mop and bucket?
You work here too????