Commuting - How many of you folks

commute in your work clothes? How do you make it work for you? How long is your commute?

I have to ride in shorts/tshirt and change after 20 minutes or so of cooling off.

and if so... I'd like to hear what your work clothes are. Big difference between a VP and a landscaper.

VP? Vehicular Pogostickist?

NOPE! I work in the ER of a local Hospital, and Have to wear Scrubs..... I dont think the patients would appreciate my being VERY sweaty and VERY stinky whilst helping them....... Graitude is a weird thing......

Luckily my boss lets me use the shower room, so I shower as soon as I get in the door and then have about 20 minuets till my shift starts.....

I hang my shorts & T-shirt over the bike (in a back storage room!!!! I LOVE YOU BOSS!!!!!) and after eight hours they are dry and STINK FREE!!! I put my scrubs in a Haz-mat bag (you would not BELIEVE the stuff I get on them in an eight hour shift!) and then ride home.

I wear khakis and a polo shirt on my commute (business casual). And cycling shoes that I wear all day at the office. Commute's only 2 miles.

Khakis and button down shirt. 4mi one way to work. I take it easy when it is hot.

Work clothes for my 10 mile round trip commute. Jeans and a dress shirt. I am an engineer/supervisor in a factory.

I'm a Creative Director. My commute is fairly short and I wear jeans and a t shirt while riding and at the office. I keep a set of fancy "meet the client" clothes at work.

I'm in the Navy, so commuting in my uniform is not something I want to do.

I just wear some comfortable riding clothes for my 10-20 mile commute...

I say 10-20 miles because I vary my routes into work.

I commute in my work clothes...which are casual. I work in the IT industry and typically wear jeans, carharts, or other casual pants. For shirts I usually wear a long-sleeve button down, but switch to short-sleeve button downs in the Summer. I wear casual shoes.

My commute is short, and in the mornings I don't have to worry much about sweating. It's under 4 miles each way, and going to work is downhill for the first 1/2 mile. No major climbs to get to the office. Coming home is another story since I have 275 feet of climbing in the last 1/2 mile.

The Pacific Northwest is pretty mild in Summer and Winter, but the temperature can vary quite a bit from hour to hour... so layers are important. I used to live in parts of the country that get much hotter and more humid in the Summer, so I remember what it was like to commute in 100 degree heat. It never gets that hot here, but the Summer evening commutes can get pretty sweaty. I usually change into shorts and maybe a t-shirt for the evening ride home. I often go for longer fast rides after work too, so for those I like to change into cycle wear like SPD shoes, cycling shorts, jersey. Then again I'm a bit spontaneous, so there are days I'll go for an unplanned 25 mile ride after work in my jeans, button down shirt, and regular shoes.

Here are some tips I find helpful for commuting in work clothes:

- It helps if you have a casual dress code. I do, and I find that shirts that look good wrinkled (like linen) are fantastic. I also buy clothes at REI... where you can get shirts that look nice (sometimes even fashionable) but have just enough synthetic material that they dry quickly and don't wrinkle.

- Lightweight merino wool sweaters are really great because they are comfortable in a wide range of temperatures, and they hide wrinkled shirts :D

- Smartwool casual socks are light enough for a wide range of temperatures as well. If you sweat during your morning commute, cotton socks will just stay wet all day. Smartwool socks keep my feet dry and comfortable even if I sweated during that morning commute. The lightweight casual ones keep my feet warm on cold days and don't get too hot on hot days.

- Pedals that have SPD on one side and platforms on the other are nice if you like to ride SPD sometimes, but you also like to wear regular shoes other times.

- Saddles that you can comfortably ride without padded shorts are nice... like a broken-in Brooks.

Of course you also need light gloves, a hat that fits under your helmet, rain/wind jacket, etc. Fenders are also a must if you commute in casual clothes (at least in most parts of the country).

Sean

I wear a work polo shirt and shorts usually to work. I'm a computer draftsman with little to no client interaction. I keep a pair of slip on shoes at work under my desk. Spare Deodorant in the drawer and a spare shirt in my desk also.

I wear MTB clipless shoes and sometimes wear them all day! When its hot I take it easy. TAKE A SHOWER before you commute and you should be fine. I also switched to Irish spring bar soap from my wifes liquid body wash stuff when I started commuting. Bar soap works much better on us sweaty guys for the stink factor.

T-shirt and shorts. My shoes are tigers. I wear bike gloves, sunblock, and some head gear with sunglasses.

We don't have a dress code and some people come in their bedroom slippers and pajamas some days.

I could shower too, but I just dry out at my desk.

No biggie.

I ride about 12 miles each way and I get wet on my head towards the end. I ride light though and have a hip pack so I'm not dripping.

When I occasionally ride the short version of my commute (20RT) I wear whatever I plan on wearing that day at work. Just ride a bit slower on the way in.
I have not done that since early spring.

I'll wear regular clothes if I decide to cut my commute short and take the train part of the way. That makes my commute less than two miles.

Even at that distance I'll sweat if I go very hard so the key is to take it easy. Wearing a backpack will get me sweaty too.

I'll need to velcro or rollup my pant leg.

I keep a pair of dressier shoes at work and ride in sneakers.

I wear workout clothes for even 1 mile rides. I sweat buckets by just looking at my bike. Lovely genes my father passed down to me :D

Depends... I started off commuting in my work clothes (khaki slacks or Dockers, nice shirt, occasionally jeans), but then June arrived and Humidity with it... so now I pack a change of clothes in my pannier, and wear baggy shorts and a hi-vis jersey while out on the bike. I keep a suit and a "nicer" change in the cube locker for when I have to sit in on an unscheduled meeting with folk sfrom outside the agency.

I shower first thing in the morning, and once I get here, turn up the computer and run thru the night's e-mail while I cool down. A quick wipedown with a towel and Wet-Wipes, change into clean clothes, and I'm ready for the day. Afternoon is sort of the reverse, I change back into my bike stuff, pack up my work clothes to haul home for the laundry, and pedal away.

I sponge bathe and change into dockers and a polo style shirt. Then I secretly air dry my shorts on the other side of my panniers on my bike which face a window behind me mauahahahaaa!

I'm actually waiting to ride to work (6 miles) until I get a messenger bag so I can carry my work clothes with me. I wish I could wear them but there's no way. I'm a server in a restaurant and, not only do we have to wear black from head to toe which is suicide in the summer, but being stinky and sweaty at work would be bad.

How do I make it work for me? Right now, I'm planning on getting one of the medium Timbuk2 Classic messenger bags, throwing my work clothes in there (as neatly as I possible can...not sure how well this will work since my managers are neurotic about wrinkly clothes...) and changing in the bathroom when I get to work. Kinda sucks for me...I don't have a shower or anything like that and nowhere to put my bag so I dunno yet how it will all work. We'll see though!

You're responsible for washing your own scrubs, DevilDog? I could only imagine that laundry soup...

My work attire is jeans and a t-shirt. Perks of being a graphic designer... you get to where cool casual clothing.
But notice my location info to the left? No freakin way i could commute 11 miles in anything and not have to change when i get to work!
Actually, even in the winter I get too sticky to not want to take a shower when i arrive.

How do I make it work for me? Right now, I'm planning on getting one of the medium Timbuk2 Classic messenger bags, throwing my work clothes in there (as neatly as I possible can...not sure how well this will work since my managers are neurotic about wrinkly clothes...) and changing in the bathroom when I get to work. Kinda sucks for me...I don't have a shower or anything like that and nowhere to put my bag so I dunno yet how it will all work. We'll see though!


I would actually go with a pannier if you can... you'll get sweatier with a messenger bag on your back. I've commuted using both though and as long as it isn't too hot the messenger bag will be okay for such a short commute. Roll your clothes to keep them from getting wrinkled in the bag. If they are still too wrinkled you could get one of those Eagle Creek packing cases that has a board for folding shirts and pants and keeps them neatly folded and protected. Rolling should work well though.

I worked in restaurants for years... mostly casual places, but I did work in a restaurant that required nicely pressed white button-down shirts and black pants. There was a closet at the restaurant where the manager let the staff hang up our work clothes to keep them clean and wrinkle free. Since we wore white shirts around food, most of the staff had a spare shirt in there in case of a spill.

Unless it's really hot and/or hilly you can ride slowly to avoid sweating too much on the ride there. You might have to dress in shorts and a tshirt though.

Sean

My workplace has a very casual dress code (jeans and t-shirt most days) but I still wear synthetic bike shorts and wicking shirts when I ride. They're just so much more comfortable and enjoyable to ride in for me. I never wear cotton shirts or jeans when doing any kind of aerobic activity, and haven't for the last 10 years. Ever since I started accumulating wicking t-shirts and synthetic hiking pants after I moved to California (for backpacking, hiking, and wildlife-based fieldwork), I've been one of those REI dorks who is unable to wear cotton and jeans while being active. Call me a wus, but it works for me, and the slightly more expensive clothes are worth every penny, IMO.

I carry my work clothes (again, jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers) in a Deuter backpack that has one of those Aircomfort backpanels, so my back doesn't get too sweaty. Works perfect for commuting, and I like not having the weight of a rear rack and panniers on my bike. Then again, I don't carry that much (change of clothes, wallet, cell phone, iPod, and that's about it) and my commute is only 6 miles one-way. If I were going more than 12 miles one-way and had to carry more, I'd definitely think about getting panniers.

I'm a lawyer, so I mostly have slacks and a dress shirt, and occasionally have a suit. Mostly my commute is between 3 and 6 miles, so I can wear work clothes (and really, I have to, because I spend a lot of my day going from place to place for meetings and client home visits, so I can't be changing all the time). If it's especially hot, I take off my jacket and tie and roll up my sleeves, and obviously, I go slow. Sometimes I work a longer ride into my commute (~20 miles), and on those days I carry my dress shirt carefully folded in my bag, along with a clean undershirt and some deodorant, and ride in work pants and a biking shirt. If I plan a long ride, I leave some cool-off time at the end before having to be around other people.

commute in your work clothes? How do you make it work for you? How long is your commute?

I have to ride in shorts/tshirt and change after 20 minutes or so of cooling off.

1. No
2. Cycling clothes
3. 8 miles one way (mileage is relative - hills, hills, rain, hills).

I wear workout clothes for even 1 mile rides. I sweat buckets by just looking at my bike. Lovely genes my father passed down to me :D

I hate those genes, my father passed them to me as well. I sweat SO much its not even funny. When I get to the office, I often leave a small trail of sweat to the showers...

So for me, I don't have a choice, I have to wear my riding clothes and change once I get to work.

If I'm riding to the bus and it's a nice morning, I have about a 2 mile ride to the bus and about a mile after I get downtown. I'll often commute in khakis and a polo shirt and walk straight into work. I leave my shoes in the office though.

When it's nice, though, I'm more apt to go for the full 30 mile round trip and say "no thanks" to the bus. There, commuting in work clothes isn't an option.

Khakis and polo shirt (except fridays....polo or hawaiin shirt and shorts...as long as the fashion police at home don't see me going out the door :) )

My commute is 5 miles....pretty flat..... I am out of shape, and am averaging around 13 mph...roughly 25 minutes of pedaling time.

I shower before work/commmute.

I do the following......bike slow the last 1/2 mile or so especially throught the parking lot. I take my sunglasses/windshield of for the lat 1/2 mile...it is amazing how much that help to let heat out an coold down. At my desk I go to the bathroom, splash some water on my face and that is it.

I wear riding clothes for my commute. I am fortunate enough to have a shower at the office so I shower and change into office clothes after Ive made coffee. I keep office clothes in my cube and change them out every couple of days. I also keep my dress shoes under my desk.

During the warm season, I can't wear my working clothes (IT; casual to business casual) to commute as they would become soaked with sweat over my six miles, even if I took it easy. Sometimes I wear cycling clothes, sometimes I just wear cargo shorts (or whatever) and a t-shirt.

When it's cooler I can get away with wearing work attire. In the two weeks they call spring and autumn around these parts, I occasionally ride to meetings downtown (5-7 miles from my office) in a jacket and tie.

Depends...

Sure you wouldn't like to rephrase that? :D

I'm in IT as well, and wear polo shirts, khakis, and trail shoes most days. I usually take a direct route into work (>2 miles), and a longer route home (5 miles or so).

I\ I'm a server in a restaurant and, not only do we have to wear black from head to toe

I feel your pain on this one. Dockers makes pants that are wrinkle free, wicking, and stain resistant. I believe they are marketed as golf pants, but they are the greatest invention ever for restaurant workers who need to look good during a long shift.

boog

I feel your pain on this one. Dockers makes pants that are wrinkle free, wicking, and stain resistant. I believe they are marketed as golf pants, but they are the greatest invention ever for restaurant workers who need to look good during a long shift.

boog

Awesome. Fellow restauranteur?

I'll definately check them out. I need to buy some new pants soon anyway. Been wearing Dickies for ever and they're fine but it'd be nice for a change. Are these the stain gaurd pants or whatever they're called? I knew someone a long time ago that would get bored in class (a class training us management material for a restaurant) and play with the pants. He'd make a little cup shape with the pant leg and pour water in it. It was crazy cuz it would actually hold the water. Amazing stain fighting technology...water would just bead up and run off like they were rain-x'ed. Pretty cool. Didn't know they still made them.

I'm more concerned about the shirt being really wrinkled because A) it's thin fabric and wrinkles easily, B) I only have one (it gets washed a loooooooot...amazed it hasn't fallen apart yet), C) I can wear whatever pants I want...they give me the shirts, D) my apron goes down almost to my ankles so, if my pants are a little wrinkly, it's ok. I need to find a wrinkle-proof shirt that I can pass off as my work shirt...it shouldn't be hard to find. It's just a black, short sleeve, button up, collared shirt...no logo or anything. Hmm...

Polo shirt and zip-off pants. I keep a spare set of clothes at work if I need to change.

I commute in my work clothes. It is less than 1/2 mile.

Guess I'm one of the few blue-collar workers here. I'm the warehouse manager for a small electrical supply house, so my work attire is jeans, tennis shoes, and a t-shirt. Plus, my commute is only 3 miles so unless it rains it wouldn't even be worth changing clothes for. Heck, sometimes I don't change even after riding in the rain. :D

and if so... I'd like to hear what your work clothes are. Big difference between a VP and a landscaper.

Actually, I am a VP at my day job. Most of my 105 employees think I'm absolutely crazy for riding a bike to work, especially in the rain and/or snow. I generally wear my work clothes to ride. I've noticed as I wear more appropriate riding clothes (cottons, less formal) my employees have changed to match. I notice more people ride to work now. When I have to dress up, I pack the fancy clothes and shower/change at work. We've always had an informal culture at work, but now it's less business casual and more practical casual as someone told me.

People come over and see my bike and ask me about it. Sure, I take the general jokes from my peers about "don't we pay you enough to take a car?" or "shouldn't you be driving a mercedes or aston or something?" Possibly, but my Gary Fisher is fine.

I sit on my ass all day in meetings. If I didn't ride to work, I'd be 120 kgs of lard.

What's even more comical is when I travel outside the US for work. Such as Taipei.

"Sir, we've arranged a car to take you, please wait.", they say
"It's 5k, I'll just use a company bike.", I'll reply
"Sir, those are for lower level workers. VPs are driven in cars."
"So what you're saying is that getting beat to the factory by a VP on a bike is bad form. I'll give you a head start then.", I'll jest

Unsurprisingly, most of the management in foreign countries rides bikes or takes public transit to work. They assume us Americans want cars. Surprise people, it's fun.

I work in a UPS hub, I wish the ride to work was the sweatiest part of my day

My direct route is about 4 miles. In the mornings when it's cool and I'm not turning it into a training ride, I'll just ride in my office clothes (dress pants, button-down shirt, and tie). I have clipless pedals so I keep my dress shoes under my desk. I keep a blazer hanging behind my door. No big deal if I go easy.

Awesome. Fellow restauranteur?

I'll definately check them out. I need to buy some new pants soon anyway. Been wearing Dickies for ever and they're fine but it'd be nice for a change. Are these the stain gaurd pants or whatever they're called? I knew someone a long time ago that would get bored in class (a class training us management material for a restaurant) and play with the pants. He'd make a little cup shape with the pant leg and pour water in it. It was crazy cuz it would actually hold the water. Amazing stain fighting technology...water would just bead up and run off like they were rain-x'ed. Pretty cool. Didn't know they still made them.

I'm more concerned about the shirt being really wrinkled because A) it's thin fabric and wrinkles easily, B) I only have one (it gets washed a loooooooot...amazed it hasn't fallen apart yet), C) I can wear whatever pants I want...they give me the shirts, D) my apron goes down almost to my ankles so, if my pants are a little wrinkly, it's ok. I need to find a wrinkle-proof shirt that I can pass off as my work shirt...it shouldn't be hard to find. It's just a black, short sleeve, button up, collared shirt...no logo or anything. Hmm...

Bartender by trade :beer:, getting dragged, kicking and screaming, in to management :notamused:

Yup, they still make them I've had good luck getting them from Fred Meyer's around here (south of Seattle, WA). Though I imagine that most places that carry Dockers would carry them at some point. Try Target or Maceys as well.

As for the shirts, it must be nice to just have a plain black shirt at work! I'm a bit jealous, as that is easier to get then a logoed shirt like we have. Look for similar fabrics, especially polyester blends. I have some polyester button down Hawaiin shirts that never need to be ironed. Try somebody like Ex Officio or other brands that market travel clothing. They tend to be wrinkle free, regardless of what you do, and have the added benefit of being quick drying and somewhat stain resistant.

I first discovered these types of clothing by looking for clothes that would be more comfortable and lower maintenance at work in the bar. That they come work so well for bike commuting has been an unexpected, but very, welcome benefit.

Hope this helps!

boog

I'm a massage therapist, so I have to look clean and presentable. I wear khakis or slacks and a polo shirt to work.

I used to commute in my work clothes, but once I hit my first summer commuting the original 8 mile trek the saddle sweat was just too much. 110º is not conducive to wearing work clothes on the bike.

I got a couple bike shorts online and haven't looked back. I find it also keeps wear and tear on my clothes down a bit, too.

I wear bike clothes when riding to and from work. It's a 16 mile each way commute and there is no way I would be able to stay dry for that amount of time. My office has a couple showers so I just shower when I get in, change to my work clothes and let my bike stuff hang dry till it's time to leave.

Bottom line is that it all depends on how far your commute is. I'm sure I would ride in kahkis and a polo too if my commute were 2 miles each way.

I am an ambulance dispatcher. My dress code is "business casual." When I interpret that to mean khakis and polos, I wear my work clothes on the ride to work. When I want to wear a skirt, though, I wear shorts on the way in and change at work.

I'm a massage therapist, so I have to look clean and presentable. I wear khakis or slacks and a polo shirt to work.

I used to commute in my work clothes, but once I hit my first summer commuting the original 8 mile trek the saddle sweat was just too much. 110º is not conducive to wearing work clothes on the bike.

I got a couple bike shorts online and haven't looked back. I find it also keeps wear and tear on my clothes down a bit, too.

I crashed once (don't ask me how) and ended up with a tear in my pants. Luckily it was on the way home.
There was another time I had a minor crash on the way into work and although my clothes were rip free, I did have to spend some time in the restroom trying to get the worst of the dirt off.

Hmmm, maybe it's a good thing I don't usually commute in my regular clothes, but I have gotten better about crashing. I've only done it once in the last year or so.

Bartender by trade :beer:, getting dragged, kicking and screaming, in to management :notamused:

DON'T DO IT, MAN!!!! Restaurant management blows. I was a manager for quite a while at quite a few different places...that's why I serve...lol I go in, make my money and go home. It's awesome...even though it's been a bit slow recently and I haven't been making a whole lot of money recently.


Yup, they still make them I've had good luck getting them from Fred Meyer's around here (south of Seattle, WA). Though I imagine that most places that carry Dockers would carry them at some point. Try Target or Maceys as well.

I'll check it out. I might be changing jobs here shortly though so I gotta see what happens with that. It's a position as a security guard so I'm unsure of the uniform. I might be able to wear it on the ride. It's a bit closer than my current job and it's a really, really nice ride.


As for the shirts, it must be nice to just have a plain black shirt at work! I'm a bit jealous, as that is easier to get then a logoed shirt like we have. Look for similar fabrics, especially polyester blends. I have some polyester button down Hawaiin shirts that never need to be ironed. Try somebody like Ex Officio or other brands that market travel clothing. They tend to be wrinkle free, regardless of what you do, and have the added benefit of being quick drying and somewhat stain resistant.

Yea...the plain black shirt would be really easy to replace I'd think but I haven't really looked into it yet. I need to get my messenger bag before I go off and get some different clothes and stuff.

DON'T DO IT, MAN!!!! Restaurant management blows. I was a manager for quite a while at quite a few different places...that's why I serve...lol I go in, make my money and go home. It's awesome...even though it's been a bit slow recently and I haven't been making a whole lot of money recently.


+1
I managed a restaurant sometime ago. Horrible job. If I factored in the amount of time I was working on my salary I made less than my crew members. Yuck
Either be an owner or a grunt. Everything in between stinks IMHO.

I ride in shorts and a t-shirt.

After getting to work I take a quick shower. Thanks to my boss for having one installed! I get into my work clothes (dress pants and dress shirt, thanks to the dress code) and start the day job.

DON'T DO IT, MAN!!!! Restaurant management blows. I was a manager for quite a while at quite a few different places...that's why I serve...lol I go in, make my money and go home. It's awesome...even though it's been a bit slow recently and I haven't been making a whole lot of money recently.



+1
I managed a restaurant sometime ago. Horrible job. If I factored in the amount of time I was working on my salary I made less than my crew members. Yuck
Either be an owner or a grunt. Everything in between stinks IMHO.

Somewhat off topic, but I agree with you guys on this. I've been down this road before, and it isn't fun. The problem this time is I really like the crew and the owner. It's hard to sever ties when you have a real close knit group like I do at work. I actually like going to work, and I still bartend on Friday and Saturday nights, and I get the same hourly weather I manage or make drinks, so I'm doing good for now. Parking my bike in the office is a nice perk as well :D

This time around, though, is providing me nice swift kick in the behind to go back to school and finish my Computer Science degree. Then I can commute without worrying about how my work clothes look when I get there! :thumb:

boog

Continuing with the off topic theme for a moment...

The people you work with is the most important part of any job second only to the pay (since, if it doesn't pay the bills, nothing else matters...hence the position I'm in now). My first job while in culinary school in Florida (why oh why didn't **I** get a puter science degree?!?!?!!??!?!?!?!?!?!) was at a country club doing prep work. The job was meh (tons of cutting and stuff which was good at the time...fine dicing 2-4 5 gallon buckets of white onions a day does WONDERS for your knife skills...lol), the location was AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL (http://www.ballenisles.com/) (it was...like...$45,000/yr just for the right to build your house there...), the pay was ok...all in all an ok job.

What the deal breaker was was the people. The cooks were mostly Haitian and spoke some weird dialect of french. The head chef was the biggest ass hole pile of ish I've ever come across in a restaurant.

This is the only job I've ever walked out on.

But hey...if it works for you, go for it man!

Where's that picture of Tim commuting in his business outfit...

At work I usually wear khaki pants and a polo shirt with an undershirt underneath. I live about five and a half miles away from work, so I probably could wear my work clothes during my commute when it gets a little cooler. Right now though, I can't stand wearing cotton while on the bike, much less two layers of it and pants. I wear polyester shirts and shorts.