ibcrewin

This winter I started commuting and it has been pretty good. The weather is cold enough that I sweat but not enough to really soak through my clothes like I will in the summer and spring. On my ride in this morning, I was thinking about how it was 36 degrees out and how during the summer I can easily see 85-95 degree days. I've resigned myself to the fact that I will be soaking wet after the first five minutes.

We have bike storage where I work but no lockers. I have to take a freight elevator to where the bikes are kept, then come back out and walk in with the masses through the main entrance. (I work at a financial news type of place so you can imagine how out of place I am with the masses.)

I need a strategy for what clothes to bring, when to change etc. Do I just walk in with shorts and suck it up? Do I change into at least a dry shirt before entering the building? Anybody BTDT? Thanks!

thdave

Simple! Put a shirt and pants over your bike clothes. Walk into the phone booth across the street from your business, quickly take off the over-clothes and put them in your bag. Then fly over to your bike and away you go!

ibcrewin

Funny story about that. I almost got my cape stuck in my chainring once.

PotatoSlayer

Are you able to find a restroom where you can lockoff and strip out of your bike clothes? Bring a towel/washcloth, fresh deodorant, soap and freshen up after your ride.

Also eat right. If you eat garbage you will sweat garbage.

Are you able to carry a backpack into the building?

I would really make it no secret about bike commuting. I noticed that generally most people I work with have no problem with me commuting and actually one of them tried doing it for a week and gave up.

When I first started commuting it was 90 degress outside. I sweat more in the winter because I am wearing more gear/carrying more weight.

ibcrewin

I eat clean and only drink water and coffee. So my sweat doesn't smell. My wife says just go in full kit and change later. She says, "Don't be ashamed of your awesomeness".

Co worker says just take the main elevator to the basement and find a stall there. I think i'm going to need at least a transition shirt.

demoncyclist

I find that if I shower before a ride, I don't get the stench. Then a quick wipedown with baby wipes, and I'm good to go.

ibcrewin

Demon, That's what I do now. (actually, I think you may have posted this before). My concern is walking into the office with a soaking wet shirt. I think I need a buffer shirt, a dry shirt to wear to walk in before changing into my clothes for the day.

flipped4bikes

Your wife is awesome. What she said...

DireWolfNC

Although this may not be an option for everyone, I bring my work clothes in a backpack everyday and change in my office. I leave my work shoes at the office and wear riding shoes and riding clothes (full gear) for riding to and from work. I do take a shower at home before I ride, and then I take plenty of time to cool down once I get to work (while I check email and phone messages) before I change into my work clothes.

KitN

Like you I live and bike in NYC. Yep, Spring and Summer are coming and OMGWTFSIZZLINGHOTDOG (!!!) weather along with it. Nasty humidity that sucks the life out of your limbs... Not looking forward to it in the least.

What I plan on doing is just taking it a lot slower and budgeting in more time to get to point A and point B. Slower means less sweat but in NYC heat and humidity just breathing equals serious sweat. On those days I'll be wearing loose fitting, flowing clothing or as little clothing as I can legally get away with.

For you, I'd suggest just bringing a change of clothing and an extra t-shirt. Wear some shorts and a t-shirt on your ride. Just before entering your office building, put the extra t-shirt on over your sweaty t-shirt then change in your office's bathroom Bring some "Wet Ones" or other wet-naps to wash up. Oh, and don't forget deodorant! No amount of wet-naps will help if the pits aren't thoroughly deodorized, LOL!

ADDITION: You'll also want to have a rear rack and/or panniers to put the bag with your clothing in/on. (Having a bag on your back makes you sweat more.)

nkfrench 

I've put a pair of thin windshorts into the top of my panniers or saddlebag that I can pull over the lycra bike shorts during a transition or while running errands. During summer heat I wear a very thin wicking mesh simple T that looks presentable even if the rest of me isn't - it doesn't absorb sweat. I can rinse it out in the restrooms if I want a clean shirt to wear home.

I also leave the house earlier in the summer before it starts getting real hot.

Backpacks are too hot for a long ride. Panniers + rack are much better.

There is a difference in people's perceptions if you walk into the office in "Team Goodwill" outfits whether it's normal clothes or cycling outfits. No stains, rips, ill-fitting clothes. Isn't there a thread somewhere with Cyclist fashion rules ?