What do you all wear to commute?

Onan

I always just end up wearing my regular clothes. My university doesn't really provide anywhere convenient for me to change, or leave my stuff, so since it's really just a short hop, I just deal with the sweatyness.

I wouldn't mind some sort of compromise though. Maybe a jersey I could take off and stick in my bag, and some undershorts for padding. I need stuff I can carry on my back, or keep on without looking like a power ranger when I'm knocking around the campus.

_Brun_

Sports t-shirt, light waterproof jacket and jeans turned up* to just below the knees. Change the shirt and have a truckers shower in the bog when I get to work. Classy gent, me.

*my high-vis legs are a great substitute for pedal reflectors.

lost_in_thought

I wear actual cycling gear - I never used to, until I bought the first bit and realised how much better it is than non-cycling gear.

Onan

lost_in_thought wrote:

I wear actual cycling gear - I never used to, until I bought the first bit and realised how much better it is than non-cycling gear.

I bet you have a lovely bathroom at work where you can change and have a proper ladies shower and everything though don't you?

I bet you get in 2 hours early, and have a long hot bath.

Surf-Matt

Oh god - same again LIT...

Stuck to normal gear for years and years, needed new bits, went for cycle stuff (that wasn't too geeky) and now head to toe in cycle kit.

Shorts - Endura Singletrack, Patagonia wicking top, Altura Night Vision when it's wet/cold, mitts or gloves (depending on weather), SPD shoes, cycle socks - all works a treat. Only thing left is cycle specific pants...

Clever Pun

lycra... full cycle kit. helmet or cap dependent on how I feel and now how cold it is

lost_in_thought

Onan wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I wear actual cycling gear - I never used to, until I bought the first bit and realised how much better it is than non-cycling gear.

I bet you have a lovely bathroom at work where you can change and have a proper ladies shower and everything though don't you?

I bet you get in 2 hours early, and have a long hot bath.

We do have a nice shower room, yes, mixed gender but barely used. They also provide toiletries.

However, you are wrong on point 2 - I am almost always late for work.

simple_salmon

I use my cheaper kit for the commute cos it's only 6 miles or so; mainly some Aldi windproof trousers and flouro jackey at the moment plus helmet and two pairs of gloves.

unclemalc

lost_in_thought wrote:

I wear actual cycling gear - I never used to, until I bought the first bit and realised how much better it is than non-cycling gear.

Used to wear cycling kit too, as I had somewhere to change, and it is better than civvies.
Now I wear civvies and walking boots.....'cos I hated the commute, so I walk. :shock:

I await salvation...........

R34PER

gloves, always gloves...summer :roll: of winter. trakkie bottoms (lycra trousers underneath if its minus degrees out), football shirt with a sports undershirt if its cold or an mtb shirt, a windproof jacket (as i dont have a waterproof one) and a beanie or thin beanie+helmet combo if i think the hat may blow off in the wind :shock: oh, occasionally overshoes if its either super wet or super cold.

Onan

unclemalc wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I wear actual cycling gear - I never used to, until I bought the first bit and realised how much better it is than non-cycling gear.

Used to wear cycling kit too, as I had somewhere to change, and it is better than civvies.
Now I wear civvies and walking boots.....'cos I hated the commute, so I walk. :shock:

I await salvation...........

:shock:

Sometimes the ride in is the only thing motivating me to turn up.

girv73

I used to cycle 4 miles to uni and just did what you did - be a smelly student. If you feel like you need a change of clothes, maybe wear a sports t-shirt or cycle jersey for the ride then change in the toilets and throw it into your backpack ?

For the work commute it used to be trackies and a sports top, now I'm full on lycra. It really is much better. Also, have lost so much size (not weight) from cycling, I think I can rock that skin tight look now. I think the ladies will agree (I'm TOTALLY kidding)

Bagman

cycling gear - it's a no-brainer for anything longer than 5 miles. have shower at work so can arrive at my desk smelling really good with endorphins still being released

philbill1973

Baggies with tights at the moment, cycle jerseys and a soft shell. Normally quite sweaty by the time I'm at work but I work in a train maintenance shed so I don't smell half as bad as those things.

I hope :oops:

greg66_tri_v2.0

Onan wrote:

without looking like a power ranger when I'm knocking around the campus.

Chicks dig power rangers.

FACT.

If you find one who says she doesn't, steer well clear. You've stumbled onto a sensible shoe wearing future gym teacher at a girls' boarding school.

whyamihere

Full lycra. Uni has a nice big sports centre, with nice big changing rooms including showers and lots of lockers. Got some jeans, trainers and a jacket left in a locker permanently that I can change into, means I only have to take a tshirt with me.

Bagman

Greg66 wrote:

Onan wrote:

If you find one who says she doesn't, steer well clear. You've stumbled onto a sensible shoe wearing future gym teacher at a girls' boarding school.

I like the idea of a gym teacher at a girl's boarding school who wears shoes. If she is sensible also, it's a bonus!

ansbaradigeidfran

I'm a student in civvies, mainly due to lack of cash for specialist(y) stuff and non-jeans trousers that come in my shape. I've found that by wearing only one long-sleeved layer under my waterproof hi-vis I stay just warm enough without really sweating at all on my 5 mile journey. A jumper in my rucksack serves once I get off the bike. I'm happy wearing neon yellow when outside, but I could stuff a jacket in my bag if I really wanted. Some experimentation should help you cut the sweat.

I bought a pair of (too-short) lycra leggings after being chilled to the bone in a hailstorm some weeks back, and wear those under my jeans when there's a danger of heavy rain. Other than that, I'm making it up as I go along...

iain_j

Onan wrote:

unclemalc wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I wear actual cycling gear - I never used to, until I bought the first bit and realised how much better it is than non-cycling gear.

Used to wear cycling kit too, as I had somewhere to change, and it is better than civvies.
Now I wear civvies and walking boots.....'cos I hated the commute, so I walk. :shock:

I await salvation...........

:shock:

Sometimes the ride in is the only thing motivating me to turn up.

"I really enjoy going to work. It's after I get there I don't like it."

Can't remember who I nicked that quote off years ago, but it suits me perfectly

For me it's head to toe lycra cycling kit. Seems like overkill at times for the 20 minute journey, but when it's really p!ssing down, and I've got hot showers and a set of clean, dry clothes waiting for me, and the cycling stuff is dry again by the end of the day, it's well worth it.

2tired2ride

I wear my studenty clothes when riding which is normally skinny jeans (aerodynamic?) , a shirt (top button done up for maximum coolness!? 8) ) and a cardigan and a pair of scabby green flashes which I change when I get to college for some pointer shoes.... o.... and a windproof jacket and ALDI gloves.

It's always cooler to scalp a head to toe lycra wearing commuter when you look uber cool!? 8)

biondino

Riding in skinny jeans? Tight jeans are restrictive enough off the bike but on it I feel like I can barely move...

2tired2ride

biondino wrote:

Riding in skinny jeans? Tight jeans are restrictive enough off the bike but on it I feel like I can barely move...

Most of them are strechy so it's not that bad.

Jay dubbleU

Usually Ron Hill trackster treks, Keela softshell or Montane lightweight shell if it rains - don't have showers or changing rooms at work which is a bit of a pain

linsen

I wear padded shorts or tights, baggies over the shorts, a gym top, merino base layer and an altura nightvision jacket if I'm going to be travelling in anything except broad daylight. I leave teaching clothes at work - always cycle to work in fear I have forgotten something and will have to teach in my lycra :oops:

chaley

In the dry I wear baggy shorts, T shirt, hoody and a shagged pair of vans.
In the wet I wear soaking wet baggy shorts..........................
Chaley

The Chingford Skinhead

Prior to commuting - that is, when I was first falling back in love with cycling in the early spring of this year, it was jeans or cargo pants and a T-shirt / sweatshirt and a jacket. Occassionally normal knee length cargo shorts and T shirt. Always wore a reflective vest / tabbard thingy and helmet

Then when I decided I had the confidence to attempt my 11 mile commute to work I bought a night vision jacket, a proper cycling t-shirt and some padded Altura baggy shorts. As it has got colder I wear my t-shirt but with either a cotton or football short-sleeve on top and I bought a pair of full length cheapo Lidl leggings. They've been great but I need to find out when they are doing them again so I can get some spares - the constant washing and drying is a pain.

I haven't gone for the overshoes, beanie and sock combo yet.

woodyonthebeach

lost_in_thought wrote:

Onan wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I wear actual cycling gear - I never used to, until I bought the first bit and realised how much better it is than non-cycling gear.

I bet you have a lovely bathroom at work where you can change and have a proper ladies shower and everything though don't you?

I bet you get in 2 hours early, and have a long hot bath.

We do have a nice shower room, yes, mixed gender but barely used. They also provide toiletries.

However, you are wrong on point 2 - I am almost always late for work.

My God you are treated well. What company do you work for. Think I might have to have a look.

Going back to subject. I always wear cycling gear, it is so much comfortable than normal gear when riding. You notice it when you get wet.

Out of interest does any body carry there laptop to with them to work. Not there personal one I mean there one for work?

Kaydee

I wear a tracksuit, but then my commute is only 5 miles.

And believe me, the world is not ready for a round lady in lycra!

Mikelyons

Another vote for proper cycling gear here- not necessarily lycra though.

I do have showers at work & bring in fresh clothes every few weeks - I can take dirty shirts etc home each day as they don't take up much room & don't have to keep them crease-free.

I do bring in a laptop with me 2-3 days each week, but leave it at work when I can during the week. I use a 'Crumpler' neoprene sleeve inside a pannier. I wouldn't want to carry laptop inside a rucksack due the the weight.

Before I moved to current office, i used to commute to central london using a Brompton to ride a 2-mile hop either end of the train journey from home. For that commute, I used to wear base layer under an Altura jacket & would carry a fresh short with me each day.

When I reached the office, I would towel down in the Gents & change into my work shirt.

Baby-wipes are also useful for a quick wipe-down

Mike

Mikelyons

Another vote for proper cycling gear here- not necessarily lycra though.

I do have showers at work & bring in fresh clothes every few weeks - I can take dirty shirts etc home each day as they don't take up much room & don't have to keep them crease-free.

I do bring in a laptop with me 2-3 days each week, but leave it at work when I can during the week. I use a 'Crumpler' neoprene sleeve inside a pannier. I wouldn't want to carry laptop inside a rucksack due the the weight.

Before I moved to current office, i used to commute to central london using a Brompton to ride a 2-mile hop either end of the train journey from home. For that commute, I used to wear base layer under an Altura jacket & would carry a fresh short with me each day.

When I reached the office, I would towel down in the Gents & change into my work shirt.

Baby-wipes are also useful for a quick wipe-down

Mike

girv73

woodyonthebeach wrote:

Out of interest does any body carry there laptop to with them to work. Not there personal one I mean there one for work?

I do occasionally, if I'm doing a work-at-home day for whatever reason. It's not very often so it's not worth getting pannier and it just goes in the backpack.