Commuting to work by bike

Arthur Ross said:I’m running into that exact same issue, except my main struggle is just getting the car seat figured out🙂.
So, what kind of backpack are you using?

Just a standard backpack. I haven't gone out and bought anything specific yet because I'm still trying to brainstorm a workaround.
Since I'm only driving her a few miles to daycare and then biking about ten miles on my own, I'll probably just DIY a solution. My plan is to find a way to clip the bag securely to the car seat once I drop her off, then just ride off. Honestly, it feels like the smartest and cheapest way to handle it. 🤷

Morgan Moore37 said:Good grief, how many liters could that thing actually hold? I remember having something similar back in the day, but I mostly just used it to stash my sneakers and some old jeans. Either that, or I’ve just completely lost all sense of scale over the years.

They come in all sorts of sizes, really. I'll snap a few photos for you in a bit.

Ronald Diaz said:It’s just a standard backpack—I haven't actually bought anything yet because I need to figure out a real solution first.
What I’ll likely end up doing—since I only drive her a few miles to preschool before heading out on my own for the next ten—is find a way to secure the backpack onto the car seat after I drop her off... just clip it in somehow and keep moving. In my view, that’s easily the most logical and cost-effective way to handle this. 🤷

Well, that’s exactly what I’m planning to do as well. Just strap the seat in and go. I already have the car seat, so this shouldn't cost me a dime.🙂

Arthur Ross said:...
This backpack is driving me crazy; I'm sweating through my shirt like I'm running a marathon.
I think it might be time to look into some panniers.
My daily uniform is just shorts, a short-sleeved tee, and sneakers. But my back? It's absolutely soaked.

How are you guys hauling your gear?

That’s why I stick to a messenger bag—depending on what I need—that I just sling over one shoulder. It rests against my lower back/hip area, which lets my back actually breathe. 😁 The downside, obviously, is that if things get too heavy, it starts sliding around or feels like it's about to fall off...

casualharbor9 said:That’s why I opt for a smaller shoulder bag—depending on what I need—that just hangs off one side; it rests right against my lower back/hips, which allows some airflow behind my back 😁 ... though the downside is it tends to slip or bounce around quite a bit if there's any significant weight involved...

I simply can't commute like that 11 miles for a single trip.
I usually just hook a seat onto the top and toss a basic backpack in there. For me, it’s easily the most efficient and cost-effective way to handle it 🙂

Arthur Ross said:I wouldn't drive like that 11 miles just for one leg of a trip.
...

... it's just habit at this point... I've been doing it this way for years, sometimes covering over 100 miles in one go without breaking a sweat...

Thinking about biking to work tomorrow, but man, it was freezing this morning—like sub-zero. I was shivering just walking in the jacket I'm supposed to ride in tomorrow. Ugh... I've got the afternoon shift, but still, tonight's gonna be a total pain... uh... and 14 miles one way...

cosmicscout9 said:I'm thinking about biking to work tomorrow, but it was -3 degrees this morning and I was freezing just walking in the jacket I'm supposed to ride in. I mean, I have the afternoon shift tomorrow, but still, tonight is going to be a struggle... uh... and 14 milesit's one way only...

I guess if the jacket doesn't block the wind, you'll freeze, but if it doesn't breathe, you'll just sweat through everything. I actually made it through last winter in a cheap jacket I picked up at a $33Walmart.

But gloves are huge for me—if anything freezes, it's always my hands. And yeah, obviously a scarf and a hat or a beanie too.

cosmicscout9 said:I’m thinking about biking to work tomorrow, but it was negative three this morning—I was freezing just walking to the car in the jacket I’m supposed to ride in. Honestly, I’ve got the afternoon shift tomorrow, but still, the commute tonight is going to be a total mess... uh... and 14 miles it’s one-way traffic...

Give me a break... what defines a "real man" anyway? 😁The only thing that actually matters is making sure your fingers and toes don't fall off from frostbite—everything else will eventually warm up...

Personally, I’m more concerned about the fact that it’s always pitch black and the traffic is a nightmare whenever I have to head out...

I would appreciate some insight from those of you who commute during that early 6:00 to 7:00 AM window—what exactly are you wearing to stay comfortable? I am trying to decide whether to let my husband bike to work or if he should just take the car. It seems to me that the temperatures out here tend to sit a degree or two lower than they do in New York City.

Donna Parker14 said:Can those of you who are out driving around between 6:00 and 7:00 AM give me a rundown of what you’re wearing? I'm trying to decide whether to send my husband off to work on his bike or not. It feels like the temperature here is always a degree or two lower than it is in New York City.

Let's start from the top😁. A hat, sunglasses—that's the basics. As for clothing, I usually layer up with a cotton short-sleeve tee, followed by a long-sleeve one, then a sweater, and most importantly, a puffer vest. On my legs, I wear long pants with sweatpants pulled over them for extra warmth. And, of course, gloves are a must. When I'm geared up like that, even if it's about five degrees below zero outside, I don't feel the chill at all.🙂.

cosmicscout9 said:Thinking about biking to work tomorrow. It was already freezing this morning—well below zero—and I felt the chill just walking in the jacket I’m supposed to ride in. I've got the afternoon shift, but still, tonight is going to be a mess... uh... and 14 miles it's one way...

Biking generates way more body heat than walking does. You might feel the bite for the first few minutes, but once you're warmed up, you'll probably find yourself stripping layers off.

cosmicscout9, you really ought to specify exactly what time you were heading into work—and I’d also appreciate knowing what kind of attire you were wearing

silenttrucker67 said:Let’s break down the gear😁. Hat, glasses. As for clothes, I’ve got a cotton t-shirt, plus another one just like it, but with long sleeves, then a sweater, and most importantly, a vest. On my bottom half, I wear long pants with sweatpants pulled over them. And obviously, gloves on the hands. When I’m dressed like that in a morning temperature of, say, 23 degrees Fahrenheit, I don't feel the cold at all🙂.

🙂

Either you're riding at 2 mph and you have some weird sweat gland issue where you don't sweat at all, or you're soaked through in three minutes flat and then you're just stuck wondering what to do next.

Why on earth would anyone choose cotton?

If you’re riding in the winter, the most important thing is decent gloves so your fingers don't freeze. You also need some kind of headgear to protect your ears—maybe even just a headband, as long as those ears are covered.
And then there's the shoes. You really want something without any holes in them. 😁
Personally, I stick with running shoes. They're lightweight and breathable, and I've never actually had an issue with frozen toes or feet.

Let's be real: warming up your fingers is nearly impossible. Fingers on your feet? That's a massive struggle. And ears are tough, too.

Everything else usually stays warm enough. And if you do start feeling the chill? Just pedal a little faster. 😁

Jacob Stewart2 said:🙂

Why on earth would anyone choose cotton?

That’s what I’m wondering too... if you wear a moisture-wicking synthetic shirt as your base layer (which might even be enough if it's temperature-regulated), you'd be a hundred times more comfortable...

Jason Campbell70 said:When riding in the winter, the priority is good gloves so your fingers don't freeze, and some headgear to protect your ears—maybe even a headband, as long as the ears are covered.
And some shoes that don't have holes in them. 😁
I personally use running shoes because they're lightweight and breathable, and I've never had an issue with frozen feet or toes.

👍
Exactly.
Though, when deciding between a headband and a hat, a hat is probably better since protecting your sinuses is vital, not just your ears like when you're running; the speed is higher, so body heat drops faster.
With footwear, it’s important that you can wiggle your toes to keep them warm. And never leave the house with cold feet. Wool-blend socks are a lifesaver, especially if they go up to the knee... pure bliss!

What about a scarf, a buff, or a ski tube? A cold breeze hitting my neck is incredibly annoying... it makes my chin freeze up...

And don't forget the safety goggles. 👍

I recently picked up a pair at Walmart—they have these orange-tinted lenses and a nice foam padding around the eyes... honestly, it’s the first time I haven't been "crying" through my eyes while riding my bike. Besides, it is absolutely freezing out there today.
The only minor nuisance is that they tend to fog up whenever I'm stopped at a red light, which can be a bit annoying. But once I get moving again, everything is just perfect.
I am actually looking forward to a winter where I don't have to deal with frozen eyes! 😍

So, 14 miles were right behind me. Honestly? Surprisingly chill, though there are definitely some things I’d fix next time.
Gear-wise—I wore cycling shorts, some long military-style pants, and these "light" ski pants. They aren't super thick, just thin material, but they have this mesh lining that keeps the heat in perfectly. For my top, I layered a bike jersey under a regular long-sleeve shirt, then topped it off with a Kilimanjaro jacket (not the flimsy kind, the thicker one with the fleece lining inside).
Just standard socks and winter boots, and I wasn't even cold. On my head, I had a scarf around my neck—though next time I need to tighten it more because it was rubbing against my neck. My mouth was exposed, so I just used a bandana wrapped over my ears and a hat. Pro tip: don't bother with a basic knit beanie; you need a thicker one. Also, glasses. I used cheap ones from Target, but they kept fogging up. Since I was wearing two layers of gloves (thick ones), I didn't have enough dexterity in my fingers to fix them. Double layering gloves makes them windproof, but obviously not waterproof, so don't count on them if it starts raining.
It took me about 20% longer to get there, but whatever, it was a good ride. The fog was insane—from the outskirts of Chicago down to the suburbs, I was stuck riding on the sidewalk, and from the suburbs into the city, I was stuck on the shoulder of the highway. I had my lights on and a reflective vest.

Anyway, that's pretty much it.

brightranger43 said:Granted, when choosing between a headband or a hat, maybe a hat is better. It’s vital to protect your sinuses, not just your ears—like you would when running—because at higher speeds, your body loses heat much faster.

For me, a headband covers just as much as a hat does. Forehead, temples, ears, eyebrows. The hair stays exposed, sure. But ice gets caught there too. 😁Doesn't bother me, though. It would be worse if my head started sweating under a hat.

I've never had sinus issues, nor do I want them. I'm not sure if a hat would actually make a difference for the sinuses. 🤷

brightranger43 said:What about a scarf, a buff, or a ski tube? That cold breeze hitting the back of my neck... it really bothers me. My beard ends up frozen.

I have a "ski shirt" (from Walmart, just like everything else 😁) with a collar that stands up.
Pair that with an outer cotton hoodie, and nothing hits my neck.

Amanda Lopez95 said:And goggles. 👍

Picked some up at Walmart—orange lenses, with that foam padding around the eyes... it's the first time I haven't been "crying" while riding my bike. And it's freezing today.
The only issue is they fog up when I stop at traffic lights. But while I'm moving, they're perfect.
Finally, I won't be dealing with irritated eyes this winter... 😍

I wrote those down and accidentally deleted them while editing.

I also have goggles from Walmart. 😁
Interchangeable lenses (orange, plus two pairs for sunny weather). They protect against wind, cold, and even bugs. 😁

Now I just need to worry about a pebble flying into my eye.

Without goggles, I definitely don't even consider riding.

cosmicscout9 said:Clothing-wise? I wore cycling shorts, some long military-style pants, and a pair of "light" ski pants. They aren't thick per se; the fabric itself is actually quite thin, but there's a mesh lining on the inside that does a great job at regulating temperature. For my upper body, I layered a cycling jersey under a standard long-sleeve shirt, topped off with a Mount Everest jacket—not one of those massive heavyweights, just a medium-weight one with fleece lining.
On my feet, just regular socks and winter boots, and honestly, I wasn't cold at all. As for my head, I had a scarf around my neck (though next time I'll need to tighten it more; it was actually choking me a bit), a simple bandana wrapped over my ears, and a hat. You shouldn't just grab any old knit cap, though; you need something thicker. And glasses. Just some basic ones from Walmart...

If I dressed like that, I’d be sweating like a pig. 😁

Today’s gear for the ride:
Top: dry fit short sleeves, some synthetic long sleeves, a tracksuit, and an ultra-thin pair of Nike Air Max.
Bottom: Tracksuit bottoms, 100% synthetic, lined, windproof.
Legs: Standard socks with classic leather sneakers, no ventilation. 😁
Hands: Full-finger gloves.
Head: An earband.
Neck: A wool scarf.

Ended up getting soaked as if it had been raining. I probably could have skipped the jacket, but then I likely would've been freezing.