Does anyone cycle to work?

[Urbanvoltaire]

I'm planning on cycling to work when I'm back beg of Sept. it's a half hour trip, fairly flat on busy roads with a few cycle lanes & then quieter roads latterly.

There's no shower and I'm wondering how to freshen up & get changed as easily as possible.

Does anyone have tips on logistics etc? I'm planning on keeping a pair of shoes & jacket at office then bring clothes in daily. I tend to wear trousers & top or dress with cardigan, fairly simple.

Tia fellow commuters!

[LoveMyBoots]

You could try this website:

//www.totalwomenscycling.com

There were tips on the website recently about freshening up after cycling to work, so I'm sure there will be stuff about logistics, etc as well.

Good luck!

[lljkk]

How far is it? How sweaty do you get?

[Poosnu]

You might not need to shower after a half hour cycle; my commute is similar (albeit with a lot of stop start at traffic lights) and I don't need to shower.

I keep all my work shoes, suits and tights at work (there is a hanger in my office) so I just need to carry a top to wear for the day. Hair is usually tied back.

Get a good rucksack cover (Hump do a good high viz one), high viz jacket and waterproof trousers for wet days.

Cycling is a great way to commute - when you get into a routine you won't look back.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I do.

Takes me about 40mins with one big hill.

I have panniers rather than a rucksack so no sweaty back.

I use baby wipes and reapply deodorant when I get to work.

[jellybrain]

I do the same as Viva. Also allow yourself plenty of time so you are less tempted to rush and get sweaty.

[theoriginalandbestrookie]

I sometimes cycle in from home which is 4 miles mostly downhill, or more often from DS's school, 1.5 mile flattish/downhill.

I pack a non crease wrap-dress and bring my make up with me. Even with the 4 mile cycle I find that if I get my coffee before changing and give myself a bit of time to cool off, I'm fine without a shower, having had one before I leave the house.

Only downside to cycling is if I go out at lunch I have an attractive cycling jacket and rucksack.

[Urbanvoltaire]

Thanks all, it's a 5 mile flat ride but I do get quite sweaty quickly even if I take it easy especially if the weathers mild. I'll try another dummy run tomorrow (still on annual leave) & see how I feel (sweat-wise).

Think I'll leave some favourite shoes, jacket & handbag at work as I've a lockable pedestal I can use. Plus wipes, makeup & hairbrush.

Am hoping to get into a routine quickly & make the most of my autumn fitness challenge! I'm planing on starting training for a marathon in the new year so feel this will help with my cross training cardio.

[BlueChampagne]

Get a sports flannel and towel (the ones that fold up to practically nothing) then at least you can have a quick wash and dry before you reapply deodorant. It's what I did when I used to cycle 8 miles each way with hill on the way in, which made me sweat when I had the kids in the trailer! Alas they're too big for that now and not big enough to do it themselves!

Enjoy - I've taken up running instead to get my exercise fix but would still rather cycle.

[Fridayschild]

I cycle most days. Shoes at work. Panniers not rucksack if you don't want to sweat. I have a shower at work - if you work in London Boris has a grant your employer can claim towards the cost of installing a shower. If you are going to get changed then roll your clothes rather than folding and don't pack things too tightly. If it's chucking it down with rain in the morning when you leave, take spare cycling stuff to wear on the way home instead of the nasty wet stuff.

I started 5 years ago, had to do 3 months to make it worth buying the bike and by the end I was hooked. It didn't help my running times though.....