Commuting - What to wear?

Take a look at what cyclists wear in locations where the bike commuting is prevalent, or look back at old pictures from when cycling was the way most people got around in this country. Notice any similarities? Yep, people riding their bikes in normal clothes.

Many would-be bike commuters will say "Can't go by bike. There are no showers/changing rooms in my workplace" or "Can't go by bike, I'm not wearing dayglo jackets and tights". Fact is you don't have to. Do it right, and you can wear the same clothes all day at work without stinking like a horse and without sticking out like the proverbial sore digit.

What makes this such an alien concept for both the non-cyclist and the ‘serious' cyclist alike is the fact that cycling, bikes and cycling apparel have been slowly but surely pigeonholed as ‘sporting goods.' So when newbies start cycling for the first time, they approach the whole affair like a gym session. So riding a bike becomes synonymous with working up a sweat, feeling the burn and getting a good workout. But what we're talking about here is something different. We're talking about getting to work, to school, to uni, or whatever, unruffled and on time.

Travel at a slow pace, wear normal clothes and dress about 10 degrees colder than you would if you were driving and you'll be just fine. If you ride slowly, you'll sweat less, meaning that you'll save valuable time at the end of your journey when the proto-racers are getting changed. Swings and roundabouts, as they say.

Wearing normal gear on the bike is of course made a lot easier if you follow our advice on commuter bikes. Your mudguard and flat pedal equipped bike will allow you to keep your clothes clean when the roads are wet, plus you'll be able to ride in normal shoes. The rack and panniers will keep that sweat inducing rucksack off your back too.

Here comes the caveat...

OK, so there are a few nips and tucks you can make to your everyday wardrobe to make it more bike compliant. As stated above, you will be warmer riding your bike than sitting on the bus or in your car, so dress cooler. If you feel a bit chilly when leaving the house, you've probably got it about right. You're guaranteed to feel warmer in 5 minutes. Avoid cotton T-shirts next to your skin, invest in a couple of merino wool base layers - they'll regulate your temperature and manage moisture like no other garment. They look ‘normal' and don't smell even after multi day use, unlike synthetic base layers.

If the morning ride is a bit chilly, use a gilet over your normal gear - it's enough to keep the wind and even light rain from affecting you, plus you won't get that ‘boil in the bag' treatment that you get in a full-on waterproof. Reserve your full waterproofs from when it is raining with gusto. Light drizzle you can cope with provided you're not going too far.

Look for dark lightweight trousers that don't restrict your movement. Black or dark blue ‘travel' trousers are ideal. They don't show the dirt, breathe well, look like normal trousers and dry quickly when you do get caught in a shower.

Indeed, travel clothes of all kinds, lightweight fleeces, travel shirts, lightweight waterproof jackets, thin fleece gilets, technical t-shirts, all work really well on a bike, and are to be found in every High St and in many people's wardrobes.

Normal pedals mean normal footwear, but shoes with a decent gripping rubber sole work best. Combined with a set of platform pedals with grip pins, you'll have all the grip you'll ever need. Remember, you're not racing, you don't need toeclips or clipless pedals.

Caveat #2

Like we've said in previous articles, this isn't the only way to do it. You can commute to work in full cycling gear and on a lightweight road bike - indeed if your commute is long and hilly, it's often the ideal way. If you've got changing facilities and the end of your journey, go for it. But for many, commutes are short haul, sub 5 mile journeys. Many of us haven't got time for a full costume change at the beginning and end of each day. And for these people, the ‘normal clothes' approach is King.

There's also a subtle psychological ripple effect at work here. The more people who ride to work dressed in everyday clothes, the more non cyclists will think, "Hey, I can do that." So wear your normal clothes and be part of the movement.

Related:

How to Commute by Bike - Part 1 - Introduction

How to Commute by Bike - Part 2 - The Bike

What do you wear when commuting?

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