Sarah_42

Hey all, I am new to the commuting world and just got through my first week cycling to work. I LOVED IT! I just started a new job as a receptionist at a law firm a couple weeks ago. I was worried about arriving to work looking a little disheveled, but pushed past it and am so glad I did. I am arriving to work happier, more focused and energized (and not disheveled looking ) Sooo much better than the bus!

I am still working through what to bring with me everyday and what I don't need. I have never been a person to pack lightly, and the pannier weighs at least 35lbs everyday... I need to cut back. I just learned that my job comes with a free membership to a local gym (with towel service!) and there is a little freezer where I can store meals. I am going to start planning meals that freeze well!

After this week, I really would like to continue cycling at least three times a week into work, but need some advice on a couple things

I live in Vancouver, and while the summer is ideal for cycling, the winter is just rain all the time! How do you pack for the rain and what do you wear? What do you do with your wet clothes? Since I have a desk at the front entrance, I cannot hang anything up at my desk or have a fan drying off soaked clothes. The closet across from my desk is absolutely packed, and there is no chance of hiding clothes in there.

I have the Arkel Shopper pannier and while it is amazing for holding large loads of groceries and anything else you could possible think of, I will need a lighter pannier at some stage. Is there any medium size panniers you would recommend or have had really good success with?

Women of the forum - what do you do with your hair on your commute or after a shower and going straight into work? I have curly, frizzy hair that just does not like to cooperate much!

Do you bring tools to fix a flat tire with you? I work downtown, and had to get my wheels bolted so they cannot be stolen as easy. I am kind of chancing it at the moment not bringing anything, I do not even know where to start changing a flat with fenders on and tires bolted!

Thanks for reading, I am looking forward to learning more about commuting and reading about what other people's tricks and tips are.

Darth Lefty 

Welcome to BF Commuter forum!

You'll have a lot of luck searching this forum using Google including the term site:https://https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/

Get some lights. It'll get plenty dark after savings time ends.

Full coverage rain clothes and full fenders with a mud flap (like SKS Longboard). The fenders will keep the spray off you very effectively. Even with the fenders and a rain coat, you need pants too, otherwise your thighs will still get wet and drip into your boots. (I might be a bit of a hypocrite; it rains seldom here. I put fenders on my bike for only a few months out of the year, and they're not needed much either.)

You can probably put up your rain clothes with everyone else's, surely an office in Vancouver has a mud room or something like that?

There is a women's forum. They have not invited me, though, as I think they can smell my Y chromosome.

ShortLegCyclist

For the flats question, I do carry a spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, hand pump, CO2 inflator and 4 spare cartridges on all my bikes (two spares on my commuter bike), but if your commute is entirely within Vancouver, you might just want to get a transit pass and carry that, you can load up on a city bus in the event of a flat and take the bike to one of the large number of bike shops in that city to get the flat repaired after work.

If you wear a breathable fabric rain jacket and pants, your clothes underneath shouldn't get wet at all, so all you have to do is hang your jacket and rain pants to dry at work. Is there a break room or some such where you could do that? Wherever people who work in your office hang their rain gear after walking or taking the bus to work would do just fine.

I don't use panniers myself, instead I use insulated trunk bag on the rack (higher up so doesn't get nearly as wet or muddy) and a backpack for my tablet and other things I don't want jouncing around on the rack bag with every pothole.

tjspiel

Congrats on your first week !

Some people have rain gear that's pretty effective and others even use umbrellas (wouldn't work for me). How far is the gym from where you work? Can you have a locker there to keep stuff in? I have rain gear and it will help keep me from getting chilled. I still get pretty damp, as much from sweat as from rain. More expensive rain gear will breathe better.

I use a waterproof backpack. There are waterproof panniers and some have rain covers.

I do carry tools to fix flats but I've also spent some money on tires with good flat protection. Even though I can change a flat and have had to do it a couple of times on the way to work (over 10 years), I'd rather not. It's a good skill to have though. Some bike shops have clinics on how to change flats and do basic maintenance. If you had a flat in the worst possible spot, how far from work or home would you be? Would be possible to take the bus from there or even walk?

Even though I've shown both my kids and my wife how to change flats, I doubt they'd actually do it unless they had no other choice. They carry cell phones and that is their backup plan. I guess it depends on how important it is for you not to be late.

imi

About the hair thang. Do you really need to wash your hair on getting to work? If not, then use a shower cap.

When it gets darker I'd strongly recommend a neon safety vest... as well as good lights.

LgHammer123

First off, sorry this is a bit of a read, skim through any parts you think may apply to your situation;

To lighten the weight of your pannier you can always wear a backpack.. I wear one for commuting and training pretty much all the time. Just so I am ready for situations when I truly need a backpack. Doesn't have to be heavy, just put things in there that take up space. When it comes to the Vancouver rain season, I can't really say anything that hasnt been said before except; Get good rain gear... and don't care about the looks. a nice light jacket that doesn't make you sweat that is also super rain proof and has potential for a hood (ride with the hood on if you can /if you believe you'll be comfortable not wearing a helmet... I've even put my hood under and other hoods over helmets. lol) , next are the rain pants.. get baggy ones, that are quick to put on and take off (and go comfortably over your other layers for riding, you dont want a pair that are super annoying/frustrate you everytime you even think of wearing them) which are also really rain proof. You can get both a jacket and pants at any salvation army or sports junkies (just gotta hope they are in stock /get them while its still really dry /before the day comes where you need em.. which this year looks like you have sooo much time to look around= like til end of fall)

The other things you'll need for rain are some solid fenders, performance over looks.. once again. the less shiny your bike looks, the more likely a thief will look the other way. Sometimes I put some unnecessary tape in places on my bike, Downtown can really be a flip of a coin when it comes to bike theft especially when you can't check on your bike for hours at a time. Personally I've never had a bike stolen (except like a dozen years ago, my mother unlocked her bike and mine but forgot to put the lock back on my bike when she went out for lunch... and its whatever, obviously I don't blame her) but my bro has had multiple bikes stolen and has caught people in the act of going after his bikes, and stopped them

Next on the list of important things is; Get an extra water bottle, a hand rag (that can get filthy and thrown out if need be) plus some soap. All this can go in your bag, and im about to tell you why you'll need it. I used to ride to work everyday, the number 7 bus was NEVER reliable. and 1 out of 40 days My chain would fall off... sometimes twice in one ride to work (make sure you get your chain fitted super properly so this happens as rarely as possible) Aaanywaays you NEED to put that chain on asap. You can't really just hope that you can call your office and say "Sorry guys, my chain fell off on my bike.. i need to either walk to the office or go to the nearest bike shop and look for a mechanic. Ill try and not be more than 30minutes late" That MAY work 1 or 2 times.. but not more than that. So you'll need to learn to be okay with putting the chain on yourself, id link a simple youtube video.. but I really should be getting some rest, it's whatever. But I will say this.. most times when I have to put my chain back on, my hands get covered with grease, cuz I like to be as quick as possible so I may continue riding. Use water, and to wash hands around (itll look like it spreads and your hands will be all black) then the rag gets a lot off. Now Rinse and repeat except now start using soap. They wont be perfectly clean... but you'll be more on time than walking your bike to the office or a bike shop. Either that or maybe you'll get lucky and some1 in a bike lane will stop to help you, it should take no more than 3-5minutes (which its vancouver.. and Im not gonna say that some1 stopping to help is impossible, just shouldnt always count on it)

Then theres the whole wheel situation. It is hard to fix a flat and still get to work really quickly, all imma say is try to be as prepared as possible for that scenario. Always carry a pump that fits your valves on your tubes properly. sometimes a simple pump up will get you to work... other times you'll need much much more time invested, like swapping the tube. which isn't ideal. Just try and bike what your bike can handle. Dont got shocks? dont be trying to get air off curbs or biking over tree roots to save time. Stay away from construction.. So many nails have punctured my tires, but I was riding with like the slimmest tires possible.

OH and lastly, use that free gym pass.. that sounds freakin AWESOME. I didnt even know companies did that sort of thing. Damn. Even if you're just into cardio (which is pretty much what applies to commuting) start off by simply going to the gym to do warm up stretches and 10minutes of biking.

That 10mins will start getting easier and easier, you'll notice one day time just flew by and your on the bike for 15 minutes, then 20minutes so on and so forth. pedalling harder each time. This wont mean you'll bike more intensely to work.. no, it means your usual ride will simply start feeling like a walk in the park and you'll be travelling faster. giving you more time to prep before shift starts.

From there you can do workouts like leg curls and such.. I really don't know the names of the equipment, I just use it everyday when I'm somewhere that Ive got a monthly gym pass to. And you really wont be needing a trainer for any of this. hope this helped, if not... well im new to this forum, idk if theres an inbox feature. but if youd like any more explanation just "reply with quote" and ill get a notification. It's like 3;30 and I got **** to do tomorrow at 3pm.. & I am planning on goin to the gym before hand, thankfully fridays I make sure are light days.

Take care, and happy riding!

Johnny Mullet

Congrats on surviving the first week! You are now hooked!

CrankyOne

Congrats on the first week. And the new job.

How far is your commute? What bike do you have? Do you have fenders and a chain case?

For flats I use Schwalbe Marathon tires and good tubes. These are likely the best flat protection you can get. I also know where shops are along my routes.

For rain I use a brelly for light rain. This is quite typical outside of North America and works quite well though not so much if you do 15 miles each way on a road racing style bike and want to get a good workout along the way. My second option is a poncho and third and extremely rarely used is a breathable rain suit. If it's raining hard enough to require the rain suit then I use motor transport of some sort.

My commute varies from day to day. My longest single segment is probably about 11 miles though most days I probably do 7 to 12 miles total. All of my commuting is on an upright Omafiets (Workcycles) at about 11-13 mph. Hair and sweat are not really a problem at these speeds if you're sitting upright and it's below about 28c (leaning forward causes more sweat btw). If the temp is higher or it's high humidity then I either ride a bit slower or on extreme days I use motor transport. I have shoulder length somewhat curly hair and simply let it get a bit windblown and call it the European Natural Look.

For more on cycle style: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mellbin/page1

tarwheel 

Way to go! You'll figure out a lot of these issues if you keep riding, and this forum is a great resource. What many of us do is store items at work so we don't have to carry so much gear back and forth every day. Perhaps if you ask around the office there are places where you could store items such as a towel, bath supplies, shoes, some clothes, etc. There might also be a closet or storage room where they would let you hang clothes to dry. I use a drying rack in my office, but have also dried gear in a storage room in the past.

My commute is 30+ miles round trip, but I can carry all of the gear that I need in large seatbag or racktop bag. I leave shoes, towel, shampoo, soap, some spare clothes and some "emergency" food supplies at the office. I restock items on days that I drive.

If you plan to keep riding in all sorts of weather, you will need some decent rain gear, fenders on your bike and a light system before long. If you would like to continue using panniers, I highly recommend the Ortlieb Front Roller Classics for something smaller than your current bags. The Ortliebs are as close to waterproof as you can get, easy to install and very high quality and durable. I have the front and rear Rollers, and the fronts will hold a lot more gear than I ever need to carry to work. I use the rears for touring. Ortliebs aren't cheap, but you can often buy the Classic Rollers on sale if you search the internet.

CrankyOne

Some great ideas for cycling in the rain: https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/tag/rain/

mgw4jc

Congrats on the first week! Others have already mentioned most things I would offer. I'd second the idea of leaving as much as you can at the office or possibly a locker at the gym. Even a small box or tupperware for toiletries would be a start. And leaving a couple of pairs of your favorite - go with most outfits - shoes will cut down on the bulk and weight.

chainbreak

Holy cats, that's a lot of talk about putting your chain back on. If it is coming off that frequently, you probably need to look at adjusting your derailleur or something. Just get some latex or nitrile disposable gloves and put them in a ziplock bag. Use one when you are grabbing greasy things on your drivetrain. No muss, no fuss.

I second the suggestion of a Ortlieb pannier for your smaller needs. I use Sportpacker Plus for commuting. I have Bikepacker Plus panniers too, but they are overkill size-wise unless I am taking a heck of a lot of stuff to work.

BobbyG

go, Go, GO! I suggest tire liners to practically eliminate punctures. But I still carry a spare tube and a patch kit. I love my Airzound Airhorn (you pump it up with your pump)from Delta Cycles. I don't think I've ever read bad advice here, just advice that doesn't pertain to me. Also, do you have secure parking indoors or just outside on the street.

chefisaac

To add my two cents:

Add a few cotton balls to your tool sack. Allows you to find snags inside your tire that might cause you problems when changing a flat. Also, ask your bike shop to sharpen a spoke so it's pointy and once a week, turn your bike upside down and carefully remove
any glass or rocks. That'll save you so much in your tires. If I see a big
gash, say from a small piece of glass, I'll add crazy glue to it to close it up.

FBinNY 

I've found that the key to riding rain or shine is to plan ahead and stage changes of clothing at work, so I don't have to transport stuff daily. Also keep in mind that if you ride in heavy rain, the "dry" clothes you bring along to change into may not be dry when you get there. Also, you might not want to change into soggy clothes for a ride home, especially if it's now stopped raining.

I'd wait a while until I was more secure in the job, then ask about a place where I could keep some changes. The waiting is so I don't sound like a needy or pushy employee early on. Otherwise, maybe the gym (if it's close by) is the place to arrange for some staging.

This works better if you plan of not taking the bike in on certain days, and can use those days for moving 2-4 changes back and forth. In any case, things like shoes to wear at work live there permanently and never get dragged back home. It's all about planning, and by doing so, I can commute daily carrying nothing most of the time, and just my messenger bag the rest of the time. BTW- I've also made a lightweight, light duty messenger bag of sorts which I can roll up when not using. That's what I use for one way carrying, and for light errands on my way home.

Ubermich

Congratulations!

For freezable meals check out Money Saving Mom. She's a little OCD for me, but even I can make use of some of her tips!

snow_echo_NY

Congrats on the first week @Sarah_42

you have a lot of good advice here. for lots of rain i think there are apparel companies out of seattle and portland that make terrific rain pouches that cover the handlebars. i don't know what they're called. but the biggest thing is slippage on the pedals and slippage on the bar in heavy rain, also a slower ride, and slippier ride (don't turn on manhole covers, or bank your turns, etc). i use toe clips for keeping feet on pedals (foot retention is awesome) and for the bar, i just place my hands on the hoods and i don't move them so they stay dry under my hands. usually on a dry ride, i move my hands all over the drop bar (tops, ramps, hoods, drops).

as a lady i'm not sure what to tell you about the hair. i just look like a hot mess or i deal with flattened hair at the office. i'm guessing there are hair products to help you. sephora would be the first place i'd look.

as for bike tools i wouldn't sweat it for now. you're in vancouver and there are likely bike shops throughout your commute and you would be a short bus or train ride to one of them if you couldn't walk over to them immediately after a flat. i visit vancouver 1-2x a year from NYC so am familiar with downtown and some other areas. eventually with time, you can learn how to change a tire, patch a tube, replace a tube and give yourself time to do so. you don't have to do it all right now. there are many a commuter who don't know, i was one until this year actually. the MEC in Vancouver might have classes and you can sign up at your leisure.

i agree to use a pack and not rely so much on the pannier. a one sided pannier is lopsided for distribution of weight on the bike and does make for harder steering i think. i've done it before but years ago.

also at work, we have lockers and i just bring a couple changes of clothes and wear it thru-out the week then bring them home at the end of the week. the main thing to bring everyday is underwear and socks. but forgetting them happens a lot too so i keep an extra pair of each in the locker. see if you can obtain a locker at the gym you go to!

EDIT: here's some info on cycling rain capes for biking: https://orbike.com/whats-up-with-rain-capes/ https://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/water...cycling-capes/ https://totalwomenscycling.com/commut...n-capes-45386/

GovernorSilver

Congrats on completing that first week!

Doesn't look like your Arkel Shopper is waterproof, so you may want to get the rain cover for it if you're going to keep using it. I use Ortlieb waterproof panniers myself.

I wear moisture-wicking/quick-drying clothes when I ride, then change to regular clothes at the office. Thus if I get caught in the rain, I do get wet, but the clothes dry fast, while the office clothes in my waterproof pannier stay dry. When the weather turns colder here, I'll probably just start adding layers of more moisture-wicking/quick drying attire.

See if you can get a locker at that gym you mentioned. Then you can change from your riding clothes to your work clothes there (assuming the gym is close to your workplace) and hang anything that's wet in your locker.

Oh yeah, if you don't have fenders on your bike, consider getting them.

And good point by snow_echo_NYC about the pedals possibly being slippery in the rain. Mine has that problem - I'll probably get the Velo Orange Sabot pedals as a pedal upgrade.

LgHammer123

umm 1/40 days... I was being generous, just saying it happens. and I guess I like to also not create unnecessary plastic waste, it's not like your preping food or bandaging wounds. As well as personally I don't mind getting my hands a bit dirty, so I never get frustrated when putting my chain back on. In fact I enjoy it, it's extra practice for when shiet happens while touring cross country/countries


Oh and I remembered another couple things that are key for Vancouver's rainy days (id say season.. but some years it really does rain like 3/4 of the time) get rain proof shoe covers.. not sure where I got mine. Mine are SUPER light weight and basic, probs got them at a thrift shop.. and they have held up for about 8years (plus I still can use them.) They wrap around your shoe so your foot doesn't get soaked. Im just going to assume you have a pair of office shoes at work, like most people.. and you're thinking its not the biggest deal if you cycling shoes get wet. It'll add up over time. 3 rainy days in a row without properly drying your shoes will start to make a difference. Now imagine a couple rainy weeks :/ Carrying extra socks for the ride to and from work never hurt no body either. And I kinda forget the last thing I was thinking of.. It'll probably come back to me later, but seriously get a couple water bottle holders for your bike. I like to have a bottle on my frame, and 2 in my backpack, one goes nicely on the side.. the other is inside my bag. (ive had so many bottles for hiking, biking, running.. for whatever, and this is the one im sticking with.. doesn't have any leakage, even if im sprinting and jumping around with my bag on)

It's super important to be well hydrated. Not getting enough water everyday for a month will take it's toll

I recall what I forgot ealier; GLOVES when its starts getting cold, good gloves can be a life saver. You're able to pay a lot at MEC for a great pair.. or I'm pretty sure I got mine at dunbar lumber for 1/3 of the price.. just get the best worker gloves that look appropriate for riding with. Leather underside and for the back of the hand just get a heavy duty fabric. Then spray them a couple times to be rain proof.

Kk think im done with listing things. Hope it wasn't too much to read..

sci_femme

Hair is overrated. I was fortunate to find a great stylist who looked at hair texture (straight, fine an thick), questioned me at length what lifestyle I have and gave me a great haircut that grows from longish pixie to a short shag with three to four months between visits. Finger-styling, all it takes. May you find similar gem of a stylist.

For the bolted wheels - Husky makes a nice flat ratcheting wrench in 15 mm metric. Packs nicely. As far as puncture protection, supple ride and superb wet grip (Florida summer showers are epic) - I am a big fan of Continental 4-seasons for 700c wheels. They are pricey, tho.

Keeping things dry - I bungee my backpack to the luggage rack. And I keep a couple of garbage bags to wrap around it in case of downpour. Eff esthetics.

Good luck and ride safe.

Sarah_42

WOW! Thank you all SO much for the information! I am making a list of items to check out, pack, what I can leave at work, and pretty much every piece of valuable information you all took the time to give me. This is an amazing community!! I am so excited to get going on this .. and have a lighter pannier! (I am googling backpacks as an alternative as well)

I will try and answer some of the questions that were asked:

I ride a fairly basic bike, I don't even know the brand. I bought it off Craigslist from a woman that was moving to Switzerland, and it came with fenders, a pannier rack and a basket on the front. It was a great deal, and came with a free tune up from the shop. I could not pass it up. It is as heavy as stink, but it gets me to my destination and I tell myself that my legs will be stronger for it and when I get on my road bike, I feel like I am flying!

The gym is less than a km away from the office, I am going to go in this week and ask if I can rent a locker and see how big they are.

I think I am going to leave the flat kit for now and focus on purchasing some gear, my commute is within Vancouver and I am fairly close to bus routes at all times, so I will buy a little pack of pre-paid bus tickets for the time being. Thank you for the great idea I am definitely interested in getting some tire liners or investing in a good set of tires to put my mind at ease though. My husband is going to wonder if we are saving any money with me commuting the next few months! I will have to keep my eye out for sales

I park underground, although I wouldn't call it secure. Anyone could really just walk in and do as they please, but there are definitely some fancier bikes than mine locked up there.

My commute is short, 7km one way. I have found a couple 'long way home' routes if I want to get some more saddle time in and don't have time to get out for a proper road ride.

I ended up asking one of the more laid back lawyers where I could keep a wet umbrella and rain jacket, and he pointed out a closet that is just full of old paint cans. I think I have found my second option for storing wet clothes if I don't make it to the gym!

Thank you for the Money Saving Mom suggestion, there are some great recipes on there! I am looking forward to slowly taking over the freezer

The pedals being slippery is something I never even thought of, thank you for mentioning it. I will put it on my list!

LGHammer123, thanks for coming back and editing to tell me about the gloves. I love the idea getting them at a 1/3 of the price on Dunbar, I am not too far from there.

I will try some different hair tactics, I usually throw it in a ponytail or bun because it annoys me anyways!

Again, thank you all and you have fueled my love for cycling even more, knowing that I get to be part of such a supportive community. Happy riding everyone and enjoy your weekend!

no motor?

The first week is the hardest, and most of us that have commuted for a while figured out what works for us through a combination of trial and error combined with asking questions here. Finding a good local shop (LBS in internet speak here) will help too

rmfnla

Congrats and welcome to the forum...

valleyrider

For rain you could go with a high-vis helmet cover and shoe covers, if visibility concerns you. Or a low-vis one if you don't want to be bright (but it certainly doesn't hurt).

I started bike commuting a couple months after starting my desk job because I wasn't getting much exercise, and I found that the bike to work is about as good as a cup of caffeinated Joe for keeping me alert in the morning.

chefisaac

[QUOTE=valleyrider;18040640

I started bike commuting a couple months after starting my desk job because I wasn't getting much exercise, and I found that the bike to work is about as good as a cup of caffeinated Joe for keeping me alert in the morning.[/QUOTE]


damn straight!