Commuting clothes conundrum

[Hobbio]

Hi all

I'm just getting into cycling, and figure if I'm spending all this money on a bike then I should use it as much as possible. To that end, I'm going to integrate some cycle commuting in to my routine. It's a little over 11 miles each way, and will be a mix of canal paths (Route 52) and city riding to Coventry city centre.

Thing is, I work in a shirt/trousers office and I know that I'll sweat like mad if I wear them on the bike. Does anyone have any good methods for transporting shirt/shoes/trousers to work whilst keeping them looking reasonably smart? At present the only thing I can think of is to roll them carefully up in a backpack, or drive once a week and leave work clothes there. Truth be told I probably won't commute by bike every day anyway until I get some fitness back.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Keep your trousers and shoes at work. Fold your shirt up nice and neat, put it into a dry bag and squeeze all the air out of it, place it in the bottom of the back pack. When you get to work hang it up and let any creases fall out. This is what I do.

Alternatively, whilst you get your fitness back, take a weeks worth of shirts on hangers when you drive.

 

[Hobbio]

Thanks mate

 

[4F]

Alternatively, whilst you get your fitness back, take a weeks worth of shirts on hangers when you drive.

This is what I do, I will either drive on the Friday with a weeks worth of clothes or driver into the office over the weekend.

However if you decide to take in your clothing in on a daily basis I cannot stress however how important it is to have at least 1 spare pair of "essential clothing items" unless you like the commando feel.

 

[Mike!]

I usually drive on a Monday to take all my shirts, underwear and socks in (keep shoes and ties there too) then just take my trousers in the pannier on Tuesday (then leave then for the rest of the week), simply bringing the dirty stuff home each day.

Works well for me, sometimes i cycle all week and i will take a shirt each day. As long as it's folded well i find the creases not too bad / drop out when hung up on arrival

 

[400bhp]

My commuting cloths routine.

Friday - take cycling rucksack. Folded shirts inside an eagle creek pack it wallet (look online for these to understand) and rolled up trousers plus clean towel. Once at work, hang up shirts in a suit bag and put used weeks worth of shirts in rucksack and take home. Every other day-socks and duds go in the saddlebag.

It does mean having the need for 8+ shirts and a few trousers (we have a dress down day on fridays) but it saves me commuting by tram/car/bus one day a week.

 

[Hobbio]

Thanks everyone, lots of good advice here.

We have dress down on Fridays, so I'll probably start then just to make it simpler. After that, I'll try the various methods above and stick to the one that works best for me.

Thanks again!

 

[DWiggy]

Also if no shower at work take a pack of wet wipes

 

[Sara_H]

I take my clothes in my pannier. I do leave shoes, toiletries, make up etc at work.

 

[Hobbio]

What, I'll have to start wearing make up too?!

Nobody told me that!

 

[Custom24]

If there is a shower room at work, hanging the shirt up in there while you are showering will help reduce the creases.

 

[Hobbio]

No working showers, unfortunately.

 

[fossyant]

Baby wipes are great. Use them all the time. I am often on site visits, so end up with shirt/pants, shoes, ipad, and heavy locks each way (in panniers). Where possible locks, trousers and shoes stay at work, and I just bring shirt and undies in and out each day. Shoes take up a load of room so leave at work where possible.

No showers here and I usually end up changing in disabled loos !

 

[Leodis]

I wear a jumper over my shirt, I only have to iron the collar, bonus. I leave my trousers & shoes at work and swap when needed.

 

[Matthew_T]

I had the same conundrum when I started cycling to work. What I do is cycle in my lycra, and when I get to work just pop my trousers and shirt over them. I always take some deodorant and have a wash when I get there but I dont really get that hot or sweaty, even in the sun.
I dont know what I will do in winter though.