I would love to be able to commute part way to work and take the bus the rest. Reason I can't do the whole way is because most of the commute is on the highway. What my main concerns are since I work in an office and wear skirts or dresses is clothing options. I also live in the eastern part of the country where right now it's sloshy out. The ride to the bus stop is very hilly but not that far.

I don't want to arrive at work smelly and sweaty. I don't have the option to shower at work. What do you guys/girls think some good options are? Wear pants under my skirts/dresses or just biking gear and then change at work?

Some folks are happy riding to their jobs in their work clothes.
Some prefer to ride in biking specific clothing then changing.
You just have to try one or both to see which one works for you.

I can't relate to your entire situation being a man in a more industrial job where my only clothing requirement is to arrive at work in a company logo T-Shirt, but I'll try to help a little bit.
I would start by either leaving your work clothes at your workplace or rolled up in your backpack, panniers or whatever. Don't worry about what to wear to work when the roads are sloshy. I wear a pair of swimtrunks on the ride in with my wallet and phone double baggied inside my backpack..
As far as arriving to work sweaty and smelly just take a shower before your ride. Sweat doesn't smell on a clean body. Do a wipedown in the ladies room with Wet Wipes before changing. Don't try to break any speed records in the morning (save that until the ride home) to keep the sweat down. Obviously, as a women you're going to have different issues than a man, such as longer hair, makeup etc, so I can't relate to that.
FWIW, I wouldn't wear pants under your skirts. If it's sloshy you're still going to get your workwear dirty. Hope I've helped some.

What you need are fenders

Learning to get where you going with out sweating is simply just pacing your self.

I ride to work every day and during work.

My freelance work requires it. if it would normally take you 20 minutes to reach a destination give your self 35. (And get a comfortable seat)

If you haven't looked at them, these two sites have a fair amount of information on women commuting in office dress.

https://lovelybike.blogspot.com/

https://letsgorideabike.com/

[QUOTE=Stuffstuff1;12217196]
Learning to get where you going with out sweating is simply just pacing your self.
/QUOTE]

She mentions hills. I have no idea how to pace myself up the hills on my route and maintain any forward motion at all. But if I shower first and use that mineral stone deoderant stuff, I don't seem to smell. The bus ride I, too, take after my bike ride gives me time to dry off and cool down.

It probably helps that I can change out of my sweaty shirt in the parking lot where I catch the bus!

I hadn't thought of keeping my work clothes at work. That's a great idea as is the Wet Wipes. I appreciate your input. You've helped a lot. Thank you.

Now why didn't I think of that? Thank you.


Much appreciated. Thank you

Yeah and they are killer hills with no way around them, the kind where if you don't keep a decent pace, you'll fall over.

Well if you get on first gear. you can reach the top of the hill with out breaking a sweat trust me. Just give your self time.