Commuting by bike

[tostaky]

Hi all, tomorrow i am going to uni (im 40 btw!) and have decided to cycle there.
Now, google maps says 32mins for approx 3.5 miles.
My problem is that there is lot of ups and downs...the area being very hilly.

Can anyone enlighten me as to what should I wear? What should I pack (other shoes/complete outfit)? Any tips?

At the moment I communte to work and it is only 10 mins by bike and I am already drenched in sweat...
My hi-his jacket is sleeveless and dry fit which help but still.. I am far from looking presentable after 10 mins so after 30 I am worried!!!
Any tips appreciated x

I cycle to work (6.5 miles each way). I wear

1. Black 3/4 leggings. Theee are just general fitness ones, not cycle specific.

1. If it is dark / cold long sleeve hiv vis top from wiggle. This cost me £10 in a sale and are, I swear, semi magical. They keep me warm, cool and dry.

1. In hot weather I have some very fine merino wool t shirts.

1. When it's very cold, gloves.

1. Normal trainers. Laces tucked away (basic tip, but laces and bike chains do not mix!). I use old ones that I don't mind getting wrecked by road dirt.

1. Helmet. Which is a very fetching hi viz yellow.

I take my work clothes in a pannier. i much prefer these to rucksacks as I don't get a sweaty back. I have a very heavy bike lock which I leave at work so I don't have to transport it.

Other things to consider:

1. Have you tested your brakes? Just go to a quiet road and do a couple of emergency stops.

1. Test gears and oil/lube chain. I see so many cyclists struggling with creaky gears!

1. Think about where you are going to store the bike and have a decent lock or locks.

1. Remember bike lights! I cycle on main road and have them on in daylight as I figure that any extra alert to cars is good.

Good luck! I love cycling and wouldn't commute any other way.

DH does an hour each way but wears Lycra and keeps his suit at work. He takes clean shirts on the day he drives.
I think there's a gym he showed at. I'd love to do it but my cycle would be 1:20 and I'd have to change in the loos with no shower!

How did it go tostaky?

That distance I wear my ordinary work day clothes.
I don't get sweaty... I take things off if I start to get hot & stuff them in a bag.
Maybe you want a change of clothes & lots of lycra so you can shower & change? If you can't avoid sweating.

In case any of this is remotely useful:
I wear SPD shoes, but I can do it in trainers.
I have panniers but can do it in a light backpack.
I have cycle gloves but would be wearing some other kind of glove, anyway.

My ordinary day clothes happen to NOT be: heels, flipflops, skirts that don't suit riding a bike, few heavy layers, a coat, weird scarf, jacket that billows like a Goodyear blimp.

I don't bring a toolkit b/c I can't fix a puncture at work (I've tried, but it's too stressful, I take wheels home on the bus when this happens -rare).