Commuting to work by bike

Drew Gray4 said:Exactly—there’s no way I can avoid breaking a sweat! Around 7:00 AM, it’s manageable, but trying to ride in the afternoon heat while wearing a blazer? If I’m wearing that all day, I’ll be soaked through by the time I arrive.

The thing is, I don't have much to work with—just those flimsy office coat hangers, which aren't exactly helpful... if I actually had a locker, or my own private office, I'd just toss on some gym clothes and change there—simple as that.

I would honestly love to swap the car for a bike—for my health, to save money on gas, and to stop losing my mind looking for parking—but I just haven't figured out the *modus operandi* yet! :-)

Personally, I bike to work every single day. I carry my work gear (specifically cycling pants) and just change in the restroom at the office. I don't actually "ride" in my blazer every day; I just leave it hanging on a rack at work. I keep extra trousers, a shirt, and shoes with me—even if I don't need them every day, I sometimes leave them at the office too. I don't ride like a maniac, partly for safety and partly so I don't end up sweating like crazy, but I always keep wet wipes on me just to freshen up... Honestly, I don't think it's a big deal to commute by bike—you just need to grab some cycling pants. Plus, your clothes don't wrinkle nearly as much in them compared to stuffing everything into a backpack! 🙂

Michael Phillips8 said:I'm thinking about upgrading my commuter setup this fall. Since I'll be riding through what feels like the rainiest city in the country, I'm curious what you all think about fenders. Does it make any sense to pick up something like this:


Or should I just bite the bullet and pay for some "real" fenders?

Save your money for the high-end fenders. Either find a pair at a garage sale from an old pro, or just buy a whole vintage bike, strip the fenders off, and sell the rest for a profit.😬

So, I’ve got a bike, but I don't have a job. What am I supposed to do now?

Don't bother buying those fenders😉

Michael Phillips8 said:...or just shell out for some "real" fenders?

These fenders are way too short. Especially the front one—it really needs more length, maybe even a little flap, just to keep your shoes somewhat dry.

Something like this, made from rubber or plastic, I guess.

Sean Gomez4 said:Those fenders are way too short! Especially the front one—it really needs to be longer. You should even add a little plastic flap at the bottom just to keep your shoes somewhat dry.

Maybe try making something like this out of rubber or plastic.

Look, I actually run full-length fenders equipped with those little plastic mud flaps, and honestly, when it comes to standard water spray from the tires, everything works perfectly fine.
The only time I run into trouble is when I hit actual standing water on the road—we're talking about puddles maybe an inch or two deep, or even more.
That's when this really interesting phenomenon happens: as the front tire slices through that mass of water, it creates a spray wave. Depending on how fast you're pedaling, that wave shoots up and hits your sneakers dead-on.
At low speeds or very slow crawls, it’s no big deal, but once you pick up any real momentum, it’s a direct blast to your shoes. Maybe if I switch to a different tire tread pattern, I can finally solve this problem.

Frank Smith4, maybe don't ride through deep puddles if you don't want to get soaked.😁

Frank Smith4 said:I’ve got long fenders and that little plastic flap thing, and as far as water protection from tire rotation goes, I’m doing alright.
The only real headache starts when you hit a puddle on the road that's maybe an inch or two deep—or deeper.
That’s when this interesting phenomenon happens; once the front tire cuts through that mass of water, depending on how fast you're pedaling, the spray just shoots straight up onto my sneakers.
If I'm cruising slow or taking it easy, it isn't an issue, but anything faster than that and it's a direct hit to my shoes. Maybe if I swap out the tread pattern or the profile of the tire, I can finally solve it.

Here is your solution. 🙂 I figured the color might suit you too. 😁

http://www.freemanscycles.co.uk/medi...dice_spats.jpg

Betty Palmer8 said:So, last year I decided to finally pull the trigger and buy a bike, thinking I’d make the commute to work my new thing. But honestly? Two weeks in, I already threw in the towel. It turns out I just get way too sweaty, and there is nothing worse than sitting at a desk for eight straight hours feeling gross. I mean, I even tried being prepared—I’d carry a spare shirt and some wet wipes in my bag—but it still wasn't cutting it. Anyway, I have... 11 milesSo, I live in Washington, D.C., but my commute takes me out to San Jose, passing right through the Remetinec area—which means I'm looking at about 34...22 miles Every single day.

I’ve finally been feeling that itch to get back out there lately, but I have to ask—are you guys actually riding through the winter? Honestly, a few miles wouldn't phase me, but seventeen? That’s a bit of a trek. And what happens when the weather turns sour? Am I just going to be huddled in a raincoat all day? Then there’s the whole snow and slush situation... I can't help but wonder how comfortable it actually is to pedal through the freezing cold while bundled up in heavy winter gear. Is it actually doable, or am I just asking for trouble?

I’ve been commuting by bike for years now—every single day, without fail. 7.5 miles It’s all one way, isn't it? Just a straight shot in one direction. 7.5 miles On the flip side, we’re actually pretty lucky at my company because we have locker rooms with showers. Given how brutal this heatwave is, it’s a total lifesaver. I roll in every morning, strip off all my cycling gear, grab a quick shower, and just change into whatever I usually wear to the office. We don't exactly have a strict dress code or anything; the main rule is basically just being clean so you don't spend nine hours at your desk smelling like a gym bag. I usually ride at a pretty brisk clip—somewhere between 18 and 20 mph—so I definitely work up a sweat even in the early morning. Having those showers available is pure bliss. Plus, since our lockers are secure, I just stock up with a week's worth of clothes and commute in my kit every day. During the winter, I mostly stick to riding when the roads aren't covered in slush or ice. Honestly, the low temperatures don't bother me that much; once you get moving and start pedaling, you warm up pretty quickly. And even if I overdo it and sweat too much, again, thank God for the showers and private stalls! At this point, I try to bike whenever the weather stays dry, especially now that gas prices have skyrocketed to the point where it's giving me a literal headache. And I have to say, I’ve noticed I get incredibly agitated driving a car in this heat, even with the AC blasting. There's just something about being on a bike that keeps me calm. I've been commuting this way for five years now, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

It takes me about 11 miles to get to work, and I’m out there pedaling every single day whenever the weather isn't total garbage—and honestly, I can tell you right now, I'm getting there way faster than I ever did on public transit, which is what I was stuck using until just recently!

I've been hitting the road every single day for about the last month or so, usually taking the route through 11 miles in one direction. We don't have showers at the office, unfortunately, but honestly, it’s not even a huge deal for me. I tend to cruise at around 20-14 miles/h, so I don't end up drenched in sweat, especially since the morning air is still pretty crisp... I carry my work clothes with me every day too. At least that's the plan until autumn hits, then I'll just play it by ear depending on how the weather behaves!

p.s. I'm loving it... seriously, it's a million times better than sitting in a car...

A little tip for anyone biking through main drags and walking through crowds just to get to work while everyone keeps getting in your way:🙂 Stick to the side streets—it’s way faster, and you might even stumble upon some sweet shortcuts.

How did everyone fare today? 😁 It was absolute perfection this morning, though by the afternoon we were all basically looking for 9.9 miles free showers 😁
especially since I went out without
any fenders.

Joseph Long4 said:Man, how did everyone handle the ride today? 😁 It was a total deluge this morning, then by the afternoon, I was basically looking for 9.9 miles free showers 😁 because I was riding
without fenders

🤣 I ended up wiping out right before I got home—just after that last light
it was way too slick for a quick turn

What tires and what surface?
Just curious—I’ve always figured a decent slick should hold up okay in the rain, but I'm looking for some actual proof. 😂

Rims Bontrager, 32-hole
Tires 700 x 38 C Bontrager LT3
They aren't exactly skinny—but they aren't chunky mountain bike tires either 😁 I was a little too cautious taking a turn, which caused me to slide out

I have to say, this isn't exactly looking very slick...😬

Just figured I’d jump in here. I can't exactly brag about my commute—it's only about 5-3.7 miles miles each way. I've been driving for the last couple of years while the weather stays decent. We don't have showers at my workplace, though, so I always carry a spare change of clothes in my backpack. Since I work shifts, things get a bit tricky. I tend to sweat quite a bit. I usually just do a quick rinse in the restroom stall, tidy up, and swap my clothes out. Otherwise, it would be absolutely unbearable. It isn't even that bad in the morning, but when I have to clock in at 2:00 PM and it's easily over 80°F outside? That's when it gets interesting. Especially when you're lugging around a backpack like I am...
Oh, right. I don't bother with mudguards. I don't really need them for the summer; if anything does get kicked up, it dries pretty fast. Still, it means I end up having to change my clothes anyway.

Jesse Mendoza60 said:I’ve been riding every single day for about the last month, usually doing the 11 miles stretch in one direction. We don't have showers at the office, unfortunately, but I guess it's not a massive deal. I tend to cruise at around 20-14 miles mph, so I don't sweat too much, plus it's still pretty chilly in the mornings... I just carry my work clothes with me every day. At least that works until fall hits, then we'll see how it goes based on the weather!

p.s. I love it... honestly, it's way better than driving a car...

If you ask me, my best advice is to just pack a small backpack with your daily outfit, wear your cycling gear during the commute, and stop stressing so much about sweating. It's probably better for your head if you just stop worrying about it constantly. When you get to the office, you just swap out. That's what I do. Also, try using deodorants instead of antiperspirants. Why? Well, antiperspirants don't actually kill the bacteria caused by sweating; they just mess with your sebaceous glands, clogging up your pores so the sweat gets trapped under your skin. That can be really bad because it leads to breakouts or rashes, which can be super painful. Deodorants kill the bacteria instead. Sure, for the first few minutes, you might catch that weird mix of deodorant and sweat smell, but that's just the process of getting rid of the bacteria. It's more hygienic and doesn't mess with your skin. Personally, I just give my gloves a quick spray with deodorant before I ride. There's really no point in trying to wash them every single day.

There’s really no reason to lug your clothes around every single day—you can just drop them off at the office a few days ahead of time and call it a day.