I would agree with an earlier poster's comment that every situation is different.

As for me, the only equipment I keep at work are my work clothes. Since it's a utility uniform, it needs to be washed only once a week (though the underclothes are washed daily )

As for cycling equipment, I have the following:

- LED headlamp - MUST brighter than any halogens on the market! (LEDs have come a long way, folks), and it goes through batters, like... hardly at all. Certainly a lot more economical than my old halogen.

- Rear blinker - also LED, again, it's a battery-miser

- spoke reflectors

- reflector tape - I put stripes along my frame to outline the fact that these blinkling lights ahead of the driver is a bicycle.

- water bottle

- two composite tire irons (super lightweight, but two make taking off your tire a piece of cake)

- spare tube

- portable pump

- multi-tool (good for gooseneck, pedals, crank, calipers and shifters - the wheels and seat are quick-adjusts)

- tube repair kit - minimal, really - just a rougher, a bit of rubber, and some glue


Throughout the week I'd wear the same underwear and socks at work that I'd wear while riding to work. On rainy days I'd carry a spare set as both would get soaks. For cooler/colder days I'd underlayer with Duofold's Duomax top and bottom - super lightweight and about 90% as effective when wet as when dry.

On Mondays I carry my clean coveralls with me in a backpack (less wind resistance and weight than side bags), especially since I always carried the backpack - I'd stop daily for some food. On Fridays I'd carry my dirty coveralls home for cleaning.

I have just two outer layers - a pair of bib shorts, and a full top/bottom set. I'd complement that with a microweight blaze yellow windbreaker, and for colder rain, a waterproof shell, rain pants, booties, and waterproof gloves.

I never needed a balaclava, as with all the other gear keeping my core warm, and my serious pace, I was always toasty, even down to rain at 35 def F.

Any colder in the rain, though, and I'd drive. Or on good days, I'd cycle down to around 25 deg F.

Still, I tried to avoid cycling in the winter months, as this far North that means cycling in the dark both morning and evening, which gets a bit dangers - I was sideswiped three times during the course of a year, after which point I decided to limit my cycling to day ops only.