I wish I could commute..

[sep1988]

I travel 30 miles to work each day - round trip, which wouldn't be the issue although there are a couple of fairly horrible hills thrown in there.

We do not have showering facilities at the office and quite often have appointments during the day so need to be smart and more often than not would need the car for files, wellys etc. The thought of cycling to work and not having a shower and being able to look presentable doesn't do much for me.

I wish 1) The office had showers 2) I didn't have to go out on appointments that require a car.

I read on hear about all the miles people clock up commuting and just wish I could do the same as only really get to ride at the weekends :-(. Anyone else feel like this? OR have any suggestions?

 

[helston90]

I'll not hear hills being used as an excuse for not commuting- they're what makes it fun.
I can't help with number 1 apart from baby wipes? number 2) can you throw the bike in the car in the morning so you can use it all day then ride home in the evening then when you ride into work the next day your car is already there!?

I have showers here so can't empathise but I'm sure you'd get used to making yourself smart without one.
You flagged Falmouth as your home town- where ish do you work?

 

[sep1988]

I'll not hear hills being used as an excuse for not commuting- they're what makes it fun.
I can't help with number 1 apart from baby wipes? number 2) can you throw the bike in the car in the morning so you can use it all day then ride home in the evening then when you ride into work the next day your car is already there!?

I have showers here so can't empathise but I'm sure you'd get used to making yourself smart without one.
You flagged Falmouth as your home town- where ish do you work?

I didnt use hills as an excuse, it was merely a statement.

It would be a Mylor to Grampound Road commute.

 

[fossyant]

Baby wipes, deo, leave suit/shoes at office. On days when you need to visit clients, drive. If in the office, ride.

 

[Andrew_P]

I bought an old banger to leave at home or work (depending on commitents either end) - the downside is multi car insurance and tax. But commuting saves much than these costs in fuel alone.

I need the car to go out for work and like having one at home as well.

I don't have a shower but I do not feel dirty or smelly, baby wipes if really sweaty. The first few months were a bit worse as I built up the fitness.

I drive to work on a Sunday and leave a weeks worth of fresh clothes.

Took a while for me to sort all of the above out, and work out if I was really commited to commuting every day..

 

[Markymark]

I have a wash with cloth/showergel at the bathroom sink after my 10 mile commute. I keep a suit at work and just take a fresh shirt in each day - easy.

 

[sabian92]

Do you have a gym near you that's cheap?

Might be worth a subscription just for the showers - you'd get your money's worth just in showering alone.

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi Sep1988, I would love to tell you how to crack it but I suspect the truth is, Cycle commuting just wont work for you.

I wouldn't do it if I couldn't store clothes, have a shower and have a secure place to put the bike. I've even turned down job offers because the companies don't have these facilities.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

rocket shower - shower in a bottle

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jul/13/rocket-shower-in-a-bottle

 

[Kiwiavenger]

I do 5 miles each way, fairly horrendous hill either way, no shower but dont need to use the car etc to visit people.

I have been known to chuck the mountain bike in the car if I cant ride in just so I can go out on it at lunch! I want to up my mileage in and out but will start that when I gets lighter (or I move, whatever's earlier)

 

[gavintc]

It might seem a little bit sad, but when I went for my job interview, I had a quick check that there was showers. I then had to rent a house in the area and made sure it was a good cycling distance from work. So, I am sorted with a 16 mile return trip each day.

 

[Keenbfb]

Are there any public swimming baths close by some of them open really early in the morning so cycle in a bit earlier and go for a quick swim.

 

[HLaB]

OR have any suggestions?

My first commute back in Scotland was 35mile round but I hardly ever done the full thing, partly because I didn't fancy the steep twisty downhill on a icy back road at the start and opted for the uphill finish instead but also partially due to the reasons you posted, we had no showers either. What I used to do was take the train (use 10 flexi tickets), get to the office smart (well smart for me ), use a pool car for meetings and cycle home the 17.5miles at night where I could get a shower.

I then moved closer to work and just changed tops and used deodorant.

My current job is really close to my flat and its flat (no pun intended ) so on the cheap SS, I don't sweat and if I feel like it I can extend my commute in the evenings or get home fast, get changed and go out for a proper ride.

 

[Moodyman]

28 miles everyday but lucky to have showers, locker and dry room. If no showers existed, I would still ride in but wash upper body in toilet sink and baby wipe privates.