Originally Posted by
ianbrettcooper
Yes, but let's not forget that the OP is on a budget. Cotton is cheap and works for most temperate climate situations. A cheap nylon coat with padded polyester lining works for most cold weather riding. Sure, she may be a little chilly on some rides, or a little sweaty on others. But heck, I'm sure she's not such a delicate flower that she can't take a little weather. Why complicate things?
I speak from direct experience (as I'm sure you will relate to yourself) having seen dozens of would-be commuters attempt a measly 10 mile commute with impromptu gear and get so frustrated they never do it again.
I also have seen a good number of would-be commuters who at least got proper gear (nothing fancy, but minimal essentials, like a rear blinkie and clothes that don't catch on the drivetrain) that spent more than they thought they would, but found it exciting and fun now that they were outfitted correctly.
Would YOU enjoy riding a mountain bike for 13 miles in 45F weather in a drizzle at near-end of rush hour in the dark (pretty soon it'll be completely dark by 5:30PM) in cotton and a T-shirt? Would you feel safe with cars rushing by at 45 mph that can barely make you out on the road? Would you enjoy that brisk breeze while in damp cotton for an hour and a half, twice per day? Methinks not.
It's not complicated IF you have a short, easy, commute OR are "hard-core" meaning you get enough pleasure out of the mere act of cycling to overcome serious obstacles. I consider myself hard-core, and as said above, even I find commuting in the common conditions I just describe difficult enough that I would NEVER attempt it without my current lighting, clothing, and bike choice setup. For sure, telling a beginner to attempt a 10 mile ride in similar conditions with no preparations guarantees failure.
We're not trying to make it unnecessarily complicated - I'd do it in my underwear if it was doable. But fact of the matter, is that depending on conditions and length of your ride, it can REQUIRE some preparation - real preparation in the OPs case.
I am ALL ABOUT low-cost and nonfancy solutions (I refuse to even pay for a bike-specific headlight, since LED flashlgihts for $25 are just as good!) but for sure, the main thing I've learned about commuting on a regular basis (meaning not just for one week and calling it quits) is that the more faith you have in your gear, the more likely you are to do it. When you're on a bike that feels fast and sturdy, have confidence that you're definitely visible even for distracted drivers, and can brave reasonable changes in the weather (how many times have you thought it wasn' t going to rain but then it did?) you start looking forward to the commute rather than worrying about the details.