Leaway2
Lycrist
- Location
- Manchester (Sale)
Advice on what to wear - practicalities of a newbie commuter
- Thread starter Hotchilidamo
- Start date
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BRounsley
Über Member
I do a short commute and typically shower at home first and not at the office. Being one of life’s sweaters I wear thin merino base layers. When I arrive I change but I don’t stick my shirt straight on I sit at my desk for 10 minutes still in the base layers. This 10 minutes sat still allows me to cool down and any sweat is soaked up by the wool. So when I do change the shirts it’s not sticking to me.
I also have a pack of wipes if I need to give my pits some attentions.
My rule of thumb is always set off cold as you soon warm up.
Also get some cycling glasses as a cold wind to the eyes will look like you’ve cried your way to work.
I also have a pack of wipes if I need to give my pits some attentions.
My rule of thumb is always set off cold as you soon warm up.
Also get some cycling glasses as a cold wind to the eyes will look like you’ve cried your way to work.
jarlrmai
Veteran
Coming from a year round 10 * 2 mile commute on my road bike at around 18mph
Dedicated padded cycling shorts/trousers (Aldi ones were okay for short dry rides) I wear Castelli bibs for longer rides
Cheap base layer and cycling tops for various conditions, its all about layers again Aldi stuff
Cycling glasses are a must, prevents cold tears and also stuff getting flicked in your eyes (flies, stone chips etc) get the changeable lenses ones for night and evening riding.
Gloves, I have 3 pairs, Full on crab pincer ones for -5 to +5, Aldi winter ones for ~10 and fingerless for the rest of the time
Aldi cycling/running socks get loads of pairs.
High vis lightweight rain top, which is essentially useless in heavy rain, get wet, accept it, and make sure you can get dry at the other end.
Many pairs of spare socks at both ends, another set of dry gloves is nice as well
Carrying the laptop could be annoying and might lead to it getting broken or soaked.
hat with rain visor, or cycling cap.
basic tools, tube, co2
Dedicated padded cycling shorts/trousers (Aldi ones were okay for short dry rides) I wear Castelli bibs for longer rides
Cheap base layer and cycling tops for various conditions, its all about layers again Aldi stuff
Cycling glasses are a must, prevents cold tears and also stuff getting flicked in your eyes (flies, stone chips etc) get the changeable lenses ones for night and evening riding.
Gloves, I have 3 pairs, Full on crab pincer ones for -5 to +5, Aldi winter ones for ~10 and fingerless for the rest of the time
Aldi cycling/running socks get loads of pairs.
High vis lightweight rain top, which is essentially useless in heavy rain, get wet, accept it, and make sure you can get dry at the other end.
Many pairs of spare socks at both ends, another set of dry gloves is nice as well
Carrying the laptop could be annoying and might lead to it getting broken or soaked.
hat with rain visor, or cycling cap.
basic tools, tube, co2
Talcum powder is great , many a time I have used it after a wet cycle to work todry cold and wet areas.
I don't have access to a shower at work( the only shower is in the men's toilets) but I'm thinking this might soon become an issue when it gets warmer
Sara_H
Guru
TBH, I find I sweat more in the winter, probably because of wearing less clothes in the summer.Talcum powder is great , many a time I have used it after a wet cycle to work todry cold and wet areas.
I don't have access to a shower at work( the only shower is in the men's toilets) but I'm thinking this might soon become an issue when it gets warmer
[quote"Sara_H, post: 2964863, member: 14522"]TBH, I find I sweat more in the winter, probably because of wearing less clothes in the summer.[/quote]
True. The latest I set off is 7am so I'm hoping its not too warm by then in summer, its the journey home that will be, er, interesting. I remember last summer arriving home feeling like I was melting, stripping off and just lying on my living room floor. And that was only a 3 mile ride
True. The latest I set off is 7am so I'm hoping its not too warm by then in summer, its the journey home that will be, er, interesting. I remember last summer arriving home feeling like I was melting, stripping off and just lying on my living room floor. And that was only a 3 mile ride
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
True. The latest I set off is 7am so I'm hoping its not too warm by then in summer, its the journey home that will be, er, interesting. I remember last summer arriving home feeling like I was melting, stripping off and just lying on my living room floor. And that was only a 3 mile ride
[/quote]Slow down a little if necessary (well I try to remember that!).
PlymSlimCyclist
Veteran
- Location
- Liverpool, UK
For my commute, I take a clean towel and flannel into work on a Friday, along with a clean pair of trousers. I don't have any shower facilities, so I have a bird bath, I also have a cupboard where I keep new hygiene products too (soap bars, deodorant, aftershave etc), so when one runs low, I don't panic and try to remember to buy new, I just buy new as I throw it away (I have a rubbish memory).
In my bag (I carry on my back currently), I carry my D-lock, lunch, and if it's raining when I'm leaving the house I put a carefully folded shirt and my tie into a bag and job's a goodun.
I do intend on changing my bag to a pannier, it's on the list of things to buy for my bike (after today, ever closer to being bought).
Clothing wise, I cycle in matalan cheapo jogging bottoms, a tesco long sleeved shirt (lightweight and relatively quick drying) and a cycle/running fleece to keep me warm.
If it's hammering down in the morning, I have a secondary change of clothes to cycle home in stored at work, along with a secondary towel and flannel (in case I forget).
Hopefully this helps. I've been cycling for 18 months now, and my enthusiasm is ever growing, so stick at it, and go with your budget, you don't need to splurge straight away.
PlymSlimCyclist
Veteran
- Location
- Liverpool, UK
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Today it meant smelling the spring smells and smiling at people, but yes it can be hard to remember!What does "slow down a little" mean?
PlymSlimCyclist
Veteran
- Location
- Liverpool, UK
Lol, Ahhhh, I remember doing that when I did Coast to Coast last year. Was lovely seeing the sights of North Devon, areas I'd never seen before
gazza_d
Über Member
I started commuting the last 5 miles each way (leave the car at a work site, cannot get office accommodation there sadly) 7 month ago. Uphill virtually all the way there & I lug a large laptop most days. I adopted the same routine that I had when I used to commute a hilly 13 mile each way.
Leave shoes, trousers + a spare change of socks, underwear and shirt at work. I carry in a shirt & underwear and get changed at work. Only takes 5 min & much more comfortable. I have no access to proper change facilities, so it's a wipedown with wet wipes & deodorant. No problems. I tend to get in the office earlier than my colleagues, and wait a few minutes for the body to "cool down" before changing.
Change base layers every day. I have some cheap "active" t shirts and also some cheap cycling shirts from Sports Direct (2 for £15) which work better at wicking moisture than normal t-shirts. In the winter I wear cheapish cycling shorts under Ronhill tracksters, and if the sun comes out, then it can be shorts for the ride back.
In the summer I have some casual cycling touring shorts (Aldi). You don't need to spend a fortune on ultra specialist kit, even the basic cycling specific stuff is decent enough.
During this winter, apart from wet days (only a few for me) I have used an Aldi winter cycling jacket on top of a single layer unless it dipped to near freezing, then I added an Aldi thermal base layer. Don't dress for warmth as you leave, but for a mile or so in when you have warmed up, otherwise you will overheat. If you are on a budget, then keep a close eye for the Aldi cycling specials. They are mostly very good value.
I have cycled it in normal clothes, took it steady and wasn't much slower, but sometimes I like to hammer it & test myself.
I always carry everything on the bike & don't use a rucksack.
Leave shoes, trousers + a spare change of socks, underwear and shirt at work. I carry in a shirt & underwear and get changed at work. Only takes 5 min & much more comfortable. I have no access to proper change facilities, so it's a wipedown with wet wipes & deodorant. No problems. I tend to get in the office earlier than my colleagues, and wait a few minutes for the body to "cool down" before changing.
Change base layers every day. I have some cheap "active" t shirts and also some cheap cycling shirts from Sports Direct (2 for £15) which work better at wicking moisture than normal t-shirts. In the winter I wear cheapish cycling shorts under Ronhill tracksters, and if the sun comes out, then it can be shorts for the ride back.
In the summer I have some casual cycling touring shorts (Aldi). You don't need to spend a fortune on ultra specialist kit, even the basic cycling specific stuff is decent enough.
During this winter, apart from wet days (only a few for me) I have used an Aldi winter cycling jacket on top of a single layer unless it dipped to near freezing, then I added an Aldi thermal base layer. Don't dress for warmth as you leave, but for a mile or so in when you have warmed up, otherwise you will overheat. If you are on a budget, then keep a close eye for the Aldi cycling specials. They are mostly very good value.
I have cycled it in normal clothes, took it steady and wasn't much slower, but sometimes I like to hammer it & test myself.
I always carry everything on the bike & don't use a rucksack.
Hi
I cycle seven miles each way, I have a bike bag on the back, which holds waterproof trousers, two pair of glasses, my reading book and bike lock.
I also wear a bum bag, which I find really comfy, which holds my trousers, shirt, underwear, name badge, mobile phone and lunch. It has two pockets for drinks bottles.
I keep shoes at work along with towel and wet wipes and toiletries.
I cycle in to work wearing padded shorts, leggings, t-shirt, hi vis jacket, helmet and gloves.
I cycle seven miles each way, I have a bike bag on the back, which holds waterproof trousers, two pair of glasses, my reading book and bike lock.
I also wear a bum bag, which I find really comfy, which holds my trousers, shirt, underwear, name badge, mobile phone and lunch. It has two pockets for drinks bottles.
I keep shoes at work along with towel and wet wipes and toiletries.
I cycle in to work wearing padded shorts, leggings, t-shirt, hi vis jacket, helmet and gloves.
