Patchelicious Posted August 11, 2015 Posted August 11, 2015 I live a mere 10km from the office, and with it becoming summer I want to start commuting. For those of you who do, please can you advise on a few tips: We have a jeans to work policy most days so are there some specific jeans one could look at? or pants that are office and bike friendly. Shoes that can be worn as sneakers but also have cleats (will start on my MTB to see if I stick to it before investing in a specific bike). Or is it better to just keep a pair at the office? Best laptop back back? What helmet doesn't moer you hair too much, my spez Prevail will leave my guys laughing at me (I get bad helmet hair ) any tips n tricks please... (I heard about keeping wetwipes etc around)
Gandalf Posted August 11, 2015 Posted August 11, 2015 rather not cycle in jeans, it is very uncomfortable. maybe leave some jeans at work and a pair of shoes there Small cloth and small hand towel - use it to wipe pits and hair in the bathroom (start with hair and leave pits for last) I use a targus laptop bag, but it all depends on how big your laptop is. Waist straps / chest scraps are a real bonus on a bag for commuting keep about 2 decent sized plastic bags in your bag to use as a waterproof bag for the electronics. Many a tip here and way more info.https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/107303-things-ive-learnt-from-commuting/page-1
Bateleur1 Posted August 11, 2015 Posted August 11, 2015 Gandalf beat me to it. Check that thread. All your answers would be answered in the first couple of pages.
simpythegimpy2 Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 Cycle in slops. Get a back rack for your stuff. Keep work clothes at work as much as possible.
Allrounder Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 thule back pack is the best....... and then what they say
ChrisN Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 rather not cycle in jeans, it is very uncomfortable. maybe leave some jeans at work and a pair of shoes there Small cloth and small hand towel - use it to wipe pits and hair in the bathroom (start with hair and leave pits for last) I use a targus laptop bag, but it all depends on how big your laptop is. Waist straps / chest scraps are a real bonus on a bag for commuting keep about 2 decent sized plastic bags in your bag to use as a waterproof bag for the electronics. Many a tip here and way more info.https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/107303-things-ive-learnt-from-commuting/page-1 I also have a Targus. Very nice bag. Although the thick padding gets a bit warm. Then I also have another bag from due south. Not meant for a laptop, but it has some ventilation between the padding and your back... Commuting is sometimes a pain, when I have to pick up the kids after work, but I try and do it as often as possible. We have a shower at work, and locker rooms. If I didn't have that I would not cycle to work..
tombeej Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 Patch, firstly some questions for you: 1. Do you have a shower at the office?2. Do you have storage / hanging space for clothes at the office?3. Does your office have secure overnight parking for your car?4. Do you have a kitchen fridge/freezer to keep food?
J∆kk∆ls Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 Levi Commuter range. The denim is more stretchy. K-Way backbacks are king! Life time guarantee on their zips. Nuff said Leave shoes at work. Cycle slowly to stay dry-ish.
arabsandals Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 Also, is there a gym nearby that you can use? If you could cycle in to the gym, shower etc and then take an easy ride in from there, it's almost as good as having facilities at work. Another option is to find out if there are showering facilities in buildings adjacent to yours and then approach them to see if you can use their facilities.
BenGraham Posted August 14, 2015 Posted August 14, 2015 10km is a bit far in slops I would say. I'm planning to start commuting on my mtb in the summer months. The trick is to try to carry less. Do you have to carry your laptop to and from work. I know I could leave mine there if I just get organised. Or if I'm super organised I don't need it at all (its my personal machine and I have an office machine - its not capable enough for me sometimes and I'm lazy to leave my office and go work in our computer lab, but if I got over this I wouldn't need it at work). Personally I'd prefer not to ride with my laptop on my back. I commuted quite a bit in jeans and it really wasn't so bad. my ride is around 8kms. I would say take a change of shirt minimum and wait a few minutes after your arrive to change since you'll continue to perspire for a bit and you don't want your clean shirt getting messed up. Of course if your work has showers this isn't a problem. Oh try not to push too hard if you don't have showers. My approach was to ride the uphills in a fairly relaxed manner so as not to arrive at work dripping since we don't have showers. Commuting is not about average speed but the extra time in the saddle should do you good. I reckon it did me. You can work harder on the way home.
simpythegimpy2 Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 Re the slops, as long as you have flat pedals. I did 28kms a day for more than two years in Cape Town and it was fine. There is a perception that you 'have' to have something protective on your feet when you cycle. I don't know why, but I suspect that we just learn to cycle with shoes on our feet and then don't think that there is any other way. I realise I'm in the minority here - but try it, you might just like it.
Patensie Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 Leave jeans/trousers at work - only need to wash them as often as you'd wash your shoes Leave your shoes at work. Spare shirt, socks and underwear always at the office. I use a Topeak pannier rack that attaches to the seat post with a quick release. It does dual duty as a modderskepper/ass-saver. When it rains, backpack in plastic bag strapped onto rack with bungee chords.
Patchelicious Posted August 18, 2015 Author Posted August 18, 2015 Patch, firstly some questions for you: 1. Do you have a shower at the office? Nope2. Do you have storage / hanging space for clothes at the office? Yip3. Does your office have secure overnight parking for your car? Yip4. Do you have a kitchen fridge/freezer to keep food? YipThere you go
Patchelicious Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 Where can one buy some commuting specific pants? Like these? http://www.levi.com/US/en_US/category/men/collections/levi-collections-commuter Or alternatives?
Patchelicious Posted August 25, 2015 Author Posted August 25, 2015 Where can one buy some commuting specific pants? Like these? http://www.levi.com/US/en_US/category/men/collections/levi-collections-commuter Or alternatives?Bump.... Also, how are Spez 2FOs to walk in with clips? What about the Giro Grynd? Sneaker that can take SPD cleat and still be walked in....
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.