I recently scored a job at McDonalds, yea I know big whoop, but it is only a summer job to get money for a new road bike. My parents think that just cause I ride my current road bike for recreation that I wanna ride it to work and are not offering me a ride to my new job. Now all this would be fine but my dress code for work is harsh, black pants, black works shoes, long sleeve button up shirt, and a hat. And where I live it isnt realy hot but the humidity is a killer. I dont want to get all sweaty before work. Also my bike is not equipped for commuting, I only use it to go along the shoreline. Any helpful suggestions?

The key for me is to cycle in cycling clothes and work in work clothes.

I arrive 20-30 minutes early. This lets me cool down and stop sweating. Then I change in the staff mens room, usually with a quick wash in the sink as well.

Your parents don't owe you a ride. How far is the commute? Is it uphill or downhill (or both?)

There are several options. Can you walk, or take a bus? Or you could ride your road bike slowly so as not to sweat. Carry your work clothes in a backpack and towel off and use baby wipes to clean up before changing. Get a second, beater bike for $100 or less if you can find one and ride that to work.

I ride in my office shirt and shorts, and my ride to work is mostly downhill so I go slow to avoid sweating. Then I just change into long pants. You can roll up long pants and they later come unrolled without much wrinkling. If there is a locker at work you could leave your work clothes there. Just don't take them home to launder and forget to take them back.

go test ride bikes in shops ..

the Brands compete with each other ..
& typically a few really big Taiwan factories make them all under contract .

the brand is not the maker but the importing distributor sending the design & parts spec list.

Merida & Giant are 2 of those companies
make a lot of other brands + their own .

for various importers ..

" all things being equal, they will be "

what brands does your favorite bike shop sell?


As far as sweat , you can change in the restroom ..

You don't need any special cycling clothes ,you can ride to work in a pair of cargo shorts and a t-shirt , and then change into your work clothes after you arrive at work....Leave a little early so that you'll have time to cool down and change.

For some reason, every McDonald's employee I have ever seen on the street is wearing a full McD's uniform on the way to (or from) work. McD's must have some type of code that requires workers to dress BEFORE arriving at the restaurant. Is this the case, Erick?

At least he doesn't have to be Ronald McDonald and wear the clown suit to work! Imagine how that would look on a road bike, yikes!

Glad to hear that some members of the youth of America still believe in hard work!

Clown suits on road bikes? Hmm, I was thinking something smirky about cycling specific outfits but will refrain from posting it.

You read my mind.

I'm with the bring a change of clothes and arrive early vote. I did that in HS and college working for a grocery store with a 6mi commute. I'm doing that now with my current job. It takes a little planning but is worth it.

As others have said, you have to bring a change of clothes with you. At my office job I just leave them at work, but since you work at McDonald's there's probably no place to do that unfortunately.

The biggest drawback in only using biking to get to work is not that - it's getting to work when it's pouring rain outside. If you're just going to get wet, you need some way to keep your clothes dry on the commute to.

My guess is that the only place to change clothes is in the toilet stall. I have done it, and probably would in this case, except that storing a back pack full of cycle clothes could be a problem at McD's

This is what I did for two years in an office environment. I took a shower before leaving the house, wore cargo shorts and a t-shirt, cooled down a few minutes upon arriving to work, and changed in the bathroom, using baby wipes to freshen up and then applying fresh deodorant before changing into my work clothes.

This is surprisingly common, I work at a children's hospital (research department) and have to change in the bathroom! As long as they don't mind the backpack, you'll be fine doing this. Do you have a good lock?? I'm assuming that McD's probably won't let you bring the bike inside.

Funny, I did it the other way around for a while. Riding in slacks and t-shirt, change into a fresh shirt at work. Legs didn't seem to sweat as much.

Depending on the route and hours, I managed no-sweat morning commutes even in the GA heat and humidity.

I ride somewhat easy in the morning to work, cool down and change into work clothes. I have a multi-compartment backpack and bring a towel to dry off with if necessary. I take it home and wash it.

I work at McDonald's as well. I used to have to ride an old road bike to work.

I'd usually get to work early to allow time to cool off. But a better option would be to have a backpack with your work clothes in it and just get changed into your work clothes when you get there.

I used a backpack for a long time before I finally got a "commute-equipped" bike.

My first job was at McDonalds. We had lockers in the storage room/basement.

But, that was 42 years ago.

Info might not be relevant any longer.

^ I seem to remember lockers at Burger King, but that was 16 years ago, and that Burger King is now a combo bank/coffee shop.

To the OP: in case you're not understanding us, it's perfectly fine to commute to work by bike. No showers just means take it a bit easier on the ride in and bring a towel and change of clothes.

FIFY: Glad to hear that some members of the youth of America still believe in indentured servitude!

Target stores sell some nice wicking exercise shirts for $10 to $15 each. Champion is the brand I think. Wear one when you ride - you'll be way less sweaty than wearing a sleeved shirt or a cotton t-shirt. Also, when you ride, try wearing shorts and ankle-length socks. Pants and longer socks cover your leg muscles, which is a part of the body that generates a huge amount of body heat. Shorts and shorter socks will let your legs breath and let the heat leave your body easier.