Anyone here cycling in a business suit ?

[Mike Gayler]

"charles.rvee" <charles.rvee@ntlworld.com> writed in
news:c73q1f$hpfpu$1@ID-38771.news.uni-berlin.de:

> Mike Gayler wrote:
>> fat_biffer@wowmail.com (Contractor) writed in
>> news:f6676943.0405010537.122a5648@posting.google.com:
> SNIP
>> I use an Aldi cycling jacket (best bit of cycling gear
>> I've ever bought) over the suit jacket, and adjst the
>> temperature by judicious use of short / long sleeve
>> shirts; and different thickness pullovers under the
>> jacket.
> SNIp
>
>>
>> Mike - Leicester
>
> Is this jacket the one made by crane sports, and supplied
> by Aldi, as I have one but it has so far not been tested
> in the wet, But is very light and cool to wear. how would
> you classify it?

That's the one - I'd rate it as 'heavy shower-proof' - I've
not tested it in a serious downpour, but so far I've not had
any leaks.

[Congokid]

In message
<f6676943.0405011650.29c3a805@posting.google.com>,
Contractor <fat_biffer@wowmail.com> writes
>Thanks for all the advice on this. I've never thought about
>the Brompton option, I could maybe use that at both ends
>and avoid the tube, hmmm.

I've been using commuting about 4-5 miles by bike for the
past 12 years (a Brompton for the past 3).

On the Brompton it might look odd, but in winter and wet
weather (like today) I wear as much Goretex as I own and
carry a clean folded shirt and socks in my shoulder bag.
I've got trousers, a suit, several ties, 3 pairs of shoes
and spare socks and shirt (in case I forget some mornings)
hanging up next to or stored under my desk.

Wet Goretex dries quickly on a hanger, but cotton socks
don't, so I pull my trainers on over my work socks for the
journey home, unless it's summer, when I wear shorts, t-
shirts, trainers and low cut socks. I usually stuff paper
towels into wet shoes to dry them out a bit.

It takes a bit of organisation, and remembering to bring
in replacements for when things need to be brought home
for cleaning. When I worked in Soho I used to drive in
each weekend and leave a week's supply of ironed shirts
hanging behind the office door. These days it's just a
shirt at a time.

>I'm not sure about getting changed at work, most places
>I've worked at wouldn't have anywhere to get changed,
>besides the toilets. I'll find out when I start I suppose.

None of my workplaces has had what you'd call a changing
room, so I've changed in deserted corridors, back stairs
(that no one else used), toilets (including the disabled
one), empty offices and even at my desk. I tend to arrive
early so no one sees me stripping off.

In spite of all that, I'd still rather cycle than be forced
to take the tube (or the bus, which can take forever).

--
congokid Good restaurants in London? Number one on Google
http://congokid.com (http://congokid.com/)

[James]

fat_biffer@wowmail.com (Contractor) wrote in message news:<f6676943.0405011650.29c3a805@posting.google.com>...
> I'm not sure about getting changed at work, most places
> I've worked at wouldn't have anywhere to get changed,
> besides the toilets. I'll find out when I start I suppose.

lots of places have disabled toilets though which are better
for changing. That is all that ours are used for so much so
that a notice went up saying that "these toilets are for the
primary use of the disabled" which seems a bit harshly
reductive to me

best wishes james

[Mark Thompson]

> lots of places have disabled toilets though which are
> better for changing. That is all that ours are used for so
> much so that a notice went up saying that "these toilets
> are for the primary use of the disabled" which seems a bit
> harshly reductive to me

I'm impressed that they employ so many disabled people that
this became a problem.

[Terry]

> >
> > Is this jacket the one made by crane sports, and
> > supplied by Aldi, as I have one but it has so far not
> > been tested in the wet, But is very light and cool to
> > wear. how would you classify it?
>
> That's the one - I'd rate it as 'heavy shower-proof' -
> I've not tested it in a serious downpour, but so far I've
> not had any leaks.

I've worn it in cold heavy rain and mildish dry weather for
cycling.I think the rain went through almost instantly , so
iI thouhgt 'good , it's a windproof, then', but when it's
not raining I get lots of condensation.It seems to be a wet
anyway but not so cold jacket like we wore before affordable
goretex. It's ok for cool days and short trips but not
really for keeping dry.I fingd it quite handy, though, and
wore it for 5 hours round the wolds on monday, getting
steadily damper despite the sunshine. TerryJ

[Mike Gayler]

jonestl@breathe.com (Terry) writed in
news:a01ac447.0405050937.186410e0@posting.google.com:

>> >
>> > Is this jacket the one made by crane sports, and
>> > supplied by Aldi, as I have one but it has so far not
>> > been tested in the wet, But is very light and cool to
>> > wear. how would you classify it?
>>
>> That's the one - I'd rate it as 'heavy shower-proof' -
>> I've not tested it in a serious downpour, but so far I've
>> not had any leaks.
>
> I've worn it in cold heavy rain and mildish dry weather
> for cycling.I think the rain went through almost instantly
> , so iI thouhgt 'good , it's a windproof, then', but when
> it's not raining I get lots of condensation.It seems to be
> a wet anyway but not so cold jacket like we wore before
> affordable goretex. It's ok for cool days and short trips
> but not really for keeping dry.I fingd it quite handy,
> though, and wore it for 5 hours round the wolds on monday,
> getting steadily damper despite the sunshine. TerryJ
>
I get lots of internal condensation - ventilation isn't as
good as it could be (armpit zips would be good) - but
honestly, the rain has never come in! Are we talking the
same product - mine has a black body, with yellow arms, (I
know other colours were available) a drop down tail, and a
hood, one internal pocket?

[Terry]

> >
> I get lots of internal condensation - ventilation isn't as
> good as it could be (armpit zips would be good) - but
> honestly, the rain has never come in! Are we talking the
> same product - mine has a black body, with yellow
>

Yes I think so.Mine is white and black. I may withdraw my
accusation of lack of waterproofing, since when I think
harder I realise that I was working hard on the hills with
an all up weight of about 45lb plus me 200lb and it could
well have been extreme condensation that I mistook for rain
coming through. For a short trip on the flat I think it is
fine, and as I said I am quite pleased, especilly since I
have been charged more for a sandwich.£2.99! I am old enough
to remember winter mountaineering in gear that was little
better in function. I agree that more ventilation would
improve it greatly, but one hopes not at the expense of
waterproofing.Alternatively scrap the waterproofing and call
it a windproof.

TerryJ