Anyone out there cycle to work?

[DrNortherner]

Start a new job in May and it has occurred to me I could cycle to work quicker than I could drive.

I have visions of a beautiful spring morning with me pedalling along, hair blowing in teh wind, arriving at work all refreshed and serene.........will it happen like this I wonder?!

If I do, I will need to invest in a new bike, and i need to consider I normally wear skirt/tights/heels to work - could I cycle like this?

Don't want a road bike as I don't like teh riding position, so it would either be a mountain bike, a hybrid or a poncy traditional girls bike with a wicker basket at the front (which is what I would love but dh thinks I am barmy)

Any comments/sugesstions greatly appreciated

[DrNortherner]

Also, if you do cycle to work do you take a handbag? Really would not want to have to lug a rucksack, would so not go with my outfit dahhling!

Would a courier style handbag work?

[StrawberryWinders]

If you have a basket (or panniers) then you could take a set work clothes.

I've stopped cycling in work trousers as they started to look old in the saddle area because of the friction.

Can fit my work outfit in a backpack but not much else...

I'm trying to find a good sized satchel type bag that's at least water resistant and not too expensive.

Personally don't like the look of panniers but don't think I have a choice...

[Lio]

I cycle but in quite different style conditions to you (wear jeans every day, carry a back pack) so can only give limited-use comments:

If your office has a shower then that might be useful, depending on how long/sweaty the ride is.

I'm guessing you're not in London, but is there an equivalent set of maps produced by your council/local cycle group showing cycle-friendly routes?

The Guardian ran an article the other day about TopShop selling feminine cycle gear. I thought it sounded like a load of rubbish, but perhaps for someone more concerned about style it might be good timing

[DrNortherner]

Thanks

I envisage my ride taking no longer than 15 minutes, no major hills, mostly on the flat and lots across a huge expanse of greenfield site called The Stray (I live in Harrogate)

No shower at my office, and don't really wnat to faff around changing once at work. Ideally want to cycle in work clothes (not up for arriving in lots of lycra!), could cycle in pumps/trainers and change shoes when I get there.

Any ideas on type of bike?

[DrNortherner]

BUMP

[MoreTeaPlease]

I would get a hybrid, a pair of cylcling trousers and a rucksack... I reckon even on such lovely spring mornings you look crumpled (and on other mornings wet, or splattered, or oil stained) if you cycle in your work clothes! And it's easier and thus more enjoyable to cycle in some lycra type gear.

Definitely recommend cycling to work though it's a really nice de stress at the end ogf each day, no frustrating traffic jams just fresh air and endorphins

[DontCallMeBaby]

Not a mountain bike for that sort of cycling - they're really hard work with those big fat grippy tyres. Definitely hybrid or poncey girls' bike. If you really want to cycle in a skirt you'll need a girls' hybrid if you go down that route, gents' crossbar would be asking for trouble in a skirt. I have a (sadly underused) women's model Trek hybrid, aluminium frame, slickish tyres, a WORLD of difference from the steel mountain bike I used to have.

I'm not convinced a courier bag would work - I tried cycling once wearing one of my Crumpler bags with a cross-body strap, it drove me NUTS, kept creeping round to the front of my body. I'd go for panniers, nice and easy to just throw a handbag in one of those (or in the wicker basket on the poncey girls' bike of course )

[Lio]

As an aside, do your work do that scheme whereby the government chips in on some tax relief scheme? The people who've done it here have saved about 30% of the value of their new bikes.

[Lio]

And by the way, I used to have two colleagues who lived a similar bike ride distance (15 mins) and both used to wear pretty skirts to work but I think their pretty shoes lived in the office.

[Cosmosis]

I used to, I'd ride my road bike in. I didn't do it every day becuase I did it as training so the days I didn't, I'd take the next day's clothes in to work and wear my cycling gear to ride in, then wash and change in the loos.

If I were you I'd buy a gorgeous "proper" ladies bike like a pashley with a whicker basket to put your bag in. But mainly because I really really want one of them.

Either that or a mountain bike with slick tyres or a hybrid.

[fridayschild]

I cycle 8 miles - in lycra with a shower at work. Rucksack makes me much hotter, I would recommend panniers or a basket. I keep work shoes at work.

I cycle in a skirt sometimes at weekends and cannot really recommend it! Also sometimes my legs get splashed and muddy from the puddles so it's not great for strolling into the office. Can you wear jeans and change when you get there?

[dinasaw]

I cycle to work and have done ever since my car blew up a few years ago. I love getting to work on my own steam and it is great for having time to think and chill out before getting to work.
I have a hybrid bike, the make is Scott and cost about £300. Go and find your local bike shop and have a look.
I wear a cycling top and a pair of jogging trousers or shorts. I take a change of clothes with me and change at work.