If you cycle to work, what do you wear?!

[notjustamummythankyou]

I work in a fairly relaxed environment, and my normal work clothes consist of dresses with tights and boots / brogues, cigarette trousers and wider trousers with turn ups.

For various reasons, I have had to start cycling to work. It's not far (takes me about 15 minutes), and I'm by no means a fast or 'sporty' cyclist. However, I'm getting to work and I'm feeling just a little crumpled and flustered!

If you cycle to work, do you wear jeans or something and get changed when you get there, or do you simply do a change of shoes? I can't decide what to do!

[ILikeBirds]

I get showered and changed at work. The shower there is much better than ours.

[RockinD]

This is my dilemma too. I can currently taking advantage of our relaxed dress code to wear walking trousers and trainers, but I'm not entirely comfortable with this.

I think I need a pair of narrow formal trousers and flat shoes to get me through the winter. Cycling in a skirt doesn't work for me.

[iwouldgoouttonight]

I wear cycling leggings and an old t-shirt and get changed when I get there. Our dress code is very relaxed so I just take clothes in a rucksack and don't worry too much if they're a bit crumpled. We have a shower at work and i'm the only one who seems to use it so i'm quite lucky.

[aoife24]

I have a 15 minute cycle and I just wear my usual clothes, skirts, etc. We have a fairly casual dress code at work.

[KateCroydon]

in summer dresses with wide skirts. in winter uniqlo heattech leggings and rollnecks under shorts, a t-shirt and a garish reflective jacket.

[thehairybabysmum]

I just wear my normal clothes incl dresses and heels if that's what imwearingthat day, wouldn't really revcommend cycling in v high heels though!

I'm not an overly sweaty person and can't be bothered with the time used to change and shower.

[WorkingtoohardMama]

I have also just started cycling to work, and it only takes 15 minutes, I've been wearing jeans with a vest under a waterproof jacket, and putting a cardigan on when I get to work; just wear loafers on my feet.

[AnnaBanana101]

I wear proper cycling clothes, waterproof jacket in the rain, hi-viz jacket.

I shower and change at work. My cycle is only 20 minutes but that's 20 minutes fast cycling so I do feel like I need to freshen up before putting on my smart clothes.

[thehairybabysmum]

I do wear a high viz and waterproofs (if needed), over the top.

Defo get a high viz and good lights...ie big ones that cost £20 each not crappy ones where you get a set for £ 6!

[Spookey80]

I wear sort of gym clothes, then change into my uniform in the loos. They don't have a shower so I baby wipe and deo there. However I don't get too sweaty, would love a shower though.
I def couldn't cycle in normal clothes.

[Spookey80]

Yes- gotta have waterproofs too! Bought mine second hand on eBay!

[notjustamummythankyou]

Thanks for your replies.

I don't really have time to shower when I get to work - and at my currently rather sedate pace, I'm glowing rather than sweating! I think I'm going to go with the vest top under a cardi idea, so I can peel off layers and put them on again if need be.

I've got some lovely dresses I wear for work in autumn / winter, but I'm not sure what it'll be like to cycle in them.

Jacket and waterproofs: yep, got all that. I picked up an Altura jacket in the sale for £49 down from £129. And its purple rather than yellow / orange, so I don't feel too much like a fluorescent highlighter! I've got good lights as my route is unlit for a small part - £40-odd down to £23. I do so love a bargain .

I really don't know why I'm getting so het up about my new commute - it's less than 3 miles, side roads or off road cycle paths and pretty flat for most of the way. I think I feel thrown out of my routine. But needs must: ds has started school, and it's either 50 minutes on the bus to work for me or a 15 minute cycle. Bit of a no-brainer really.

dons cycle helmet with a heavy sigh

[VivaLeThrustBadger]

Full cycling gear.

Squirt of deodorant and change of clothes when I get there. Scrub armpits with a baby wipe if especially sweaty.

[VivaLeThrustBadger]

If its only 3 miles you can bike in anything as long as it won't get caught in the chain.

I bike 3 miles to the pub in low cut/short dresses on a drop handlebar racing bike.

[daftbesom]

Depends on the weather, but really anything except pencil skirts. Mind you I buy all my clothes with the bike in mind - which means e.g. trousers are sturdy and not too tight, tend to be narrow at the ankle or trouser-clipped/ tucked into a sock. If I'm wearing a short skirt I wear leggings underneath then whip them off when I get to work.

On a wintry day I would tend to wear bike gear but I don't get really sweaty, it's only a couple of miles and I don't thrash it.

I always, always wear a really bright self-coloured coat so I am nice and visible.

[thehairybabysmum]

I just hitch my dress or skirt up a bit to get on the bike...I'm generally wearing thick tights so no different to leggings really.

[RevoltingPeasant]

But what about when it's been raining or you have to cycle through a puddle? You will get muddy backsplash all over your bum!!

Buy proper cycling kit and change.

[Snog]

i cycle 3 miles slowly and dont break sweat.
i change my shoes at work and wear either trousers or knee length jersey dresses.

[thehairybabysmum]

I have mudguards so no bum splashing! If its raining I wear waterproof trousers, these also fit over a skirt or dress as they are quite baggy.

[Snog]

agree on the mudguards and waterproof trousers.
dont wear nice shoes to cycle as theyget scuffed up!
biggest problem is hair in the rain

[BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte]

If I'm wearing a skirt or dress, I cycle with trousers or leggings underneath. But I wish I had a nice warm shower next to the office door...

[notjustamummythankyou]

Ha - snog - you're so right about the hair! My normally sleek bob is now sporting very fetching flicky up bits. Oh well.

Good tip about the leggings under skirts or dresses. Hadn't thought of that.

[cherry9]

I have just started cycling to work , but no shower available , how do I cope with a sweaty head ? any ideas
Cherry9