Bike Commuting

annette pfautz

Hi!

I'm new to the cycling forum, so hopefully I'm doing everything right...

I commute to work on a regular basis and would like to know what other women do to make the transition from riding a bike to work "mode" a smooth one. I'm researching this topic for an article I'm writing on bike commuting and would love any/all information anyone is willing to share.

For myself, I bring a skirt or slacks in my saddle bag and change when I get to work. Things are really casual where I work so I don't care too much about wrinkled clothing, windblown hair or the occasional mud splatter on the back of a shirt. Oh, and I try not to sweat, too much though I have heard of some people who keep baby wipes at work to help in that department.

I'd appreciate any input.

Annette

Geonz

I work at a college so there's a gym & showers so if I go too fast I can rinse off (it just happens); I can also get away with shirt & slacks in the backpack or baskets ("I won't go anywhere I can't be wrinkled").

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annette pfautz

Hey! Thanks for your reply. I'm usually pretty wrinkled (clothes and otherwise) myself. What the hell

Shabby

There's a whole bunch of threads on this (although not necessarily specific to female clothing), but the concepts are similar:

1. Leave as much as posible at work (shoes, tolietries, makeup...)
2. Take extra stuff when you don't ride (hand in hand with 1.)
3. Make sure you have healthy snacks available at work (you will get hungry).
4. Ask your work to provide an iroing board and iron. (<$100)
5. Spend the money you save on tickets, petrol etc. on lights, tyres, reflectors etc. to make your trip more enjoyable.

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Steve_V5

Having started cycling to work recently and I found if that you have a shower/bath before cycling to work and have a can of body spray at work, sweating/smelling is not a problem.

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annette pfautz

Thanks Steve_V5

Funny...I don't worry so much about the body odor problem as I do about the flat hair problem (we all have our little vanities...) Anyone know of a helmet or scarf with helmet that helps? Even if I try and "fluff" my hair when at work, once flat...forever flat until i wash it... Such problems

Annette

Kylie-Anne

I cycle to uni everyday and am unable to avoid the 'flat hair' problem. My solution, tie it back (or leave a hairdryer at your work)!! I purchased a hiking pack with a special back that makes the pack sit away from your back. This reduces the sweat significantly (or paniers are the better option if you don't need to lug it around everywhere). A shower before leaving the house, a complete change of clothes (bra included), a can of impulse, and the air vented back pack equals minimal sweat and no smell for those without access to showers!!

Brunswick_kate

I don't have the flat hair problem, largely because at the first of the season, I tell my hair dresser to grab his shears and "make it helmet proof". Small panniers to carry my gear -- lunch on one side, clothes on the other. Clothes, if rolled, are much more wrinkle resistant than folding them. Shower before leaving keeps the bacterial load on the skin down which means odour isn't much of a problem. Fenders on the bike keep the back spatter down.

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Slumlord

Slumlord

Flat hair is no problem with me. I am quite naturally bald. I can even wear the ill-fitting cheap helmets.

LMo

Hair in ponytail, and I actually just wear my work clothes, either ( I never wear skirts anyway), rolling up the right leg or wrapping velcro around it. I've lived in 3 cities in the past few years, and my commute has varied from 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. I do make a point to buy "work shoes" that have some grippiness or texture on the bottom so they don't slip off my SPD pedals.

That's a good idea about the hiker's backpack, though. The ventilation would be a big help. Baby wipes are a good tip, too. Thanks!

HellonWheels

>>>

I dont have a hair problem, I braid my hair down the back (sort of a combo pnytail and braid), and leave it like that.

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