Cycle to work gear

[GOODCAT]

I am going to start cycling to work and about to use my work's cycle to work scheme to both buy a bike and gear I will need.

We have showers at work so I plan to shower and change when I get in. However, I am finding it hard to figure out the best way to carry in a dress and jacket. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience of whether you can just roll them up and they come out ok.

I think it really depends on the fabric. Jersey and thick cotton tend to be ok but lightweight cotton type things can crease really badly. I only cycle occasionally so tend to take my clothes for cycling days on hangers the day before when I'm in the car. It depends what else you need to take with you.....I usually leave my laptop and shower stuff at work but if you'd have to carry that in every day I'd invest in a good set of double panniers and even though they claim to be waterproof still double-bag anything you don't want to get wet!

Do you have anywhere you can leave the jacket? I used to cycle regularly and I don't think my jackets would have liked regular trips into work. I used to keep a black one, a grey one and a blue one in the office which basically covered every outfit option. Same with shoes, I used to keep a blue pair and a red pair at the office.

Then dresses it's super dependent on the dress. I have a few that wouldn't cope at all and some mainly the stretchy jersey sort that are fine.

I have recently bought an electric bike and really like that for the commute to work as I can avoid the need to change which is a boon.

Definitely choose fabric that doesn't need ironing, and roll up in panniers. Having jackets and shoes that live at work is a great idea. Ortlieb roll-top panniers are waterproof in my experience.

Thanks all, that is really helpful