Cycling to work checklist

[sobrique]

I'm considering starting to cycle to work. Figured it's close enough, and actually given traffic, probably about as quick.
My problem with doing so, might well be the limitation of clothing - cycling in a suit just isn't a good idea. However, there's lockers and changing facility (and showers, which hopefully aren't rubbish) at work.
So, looks like I may have all the bits I need to do it.
http://www.evanscycles.com/guides.jsp has some useful advice. http://www.hawkcycles.co.uk/ looks suitably close.

Now, what I still need to figure out, is transport of clothing. Suits in particular, don't travel all _that_ easily. I suppose I could always drive in one day a week, and swap clothes around to change into, or perhaps just stuff 'stuff' into a backpack.

Routes to work look promising, and actually not too bad on timing (given traffic) as well.

Probably also need to check tools, lights, safety gear (helmet and high-vis clothing)

Other than that, I think I'm about set. Or is there anything I've missed?

(Thankfully, cthulahoops has been doing similar homework, so I've had a flick through his LJ for further info). http://cthulahoops.livejournal.com/48910.html

Comments

[sebbo.livejournal.com]

i tend to keep a suit at work. It normally survives the roundtrip in a bag ;)

[sebbo.livejournal.com]

round trip refers to occasions it goes to the dry cleaners btw, not daily.

[ephrael.livejournal.com]

Cycling clothing.
Tomorrow Aldi is selling summer bike stuff.
Don't laugh. I got some of their winter kit when it want on sale in September (leggings, thermal gloves, race shirt) and I've been really impressed with its performance. And it was so much cheaper than anything else I've seen.
If you can get to one, go. You may decide its not what you want, but you've been to look. Did I mention the fabulous cheapness?
I don't know how much riding you do, and you may own a pair already: padded shorts. Yes, you will look somewhat foolish, but they are so worth it.

Safety kit
My helmet came from Halfords. There are higher spec ones, but they all have to meet a safety standard, and theirs fitted my head.
I've a hi-vis water proof from e-bay, and a hi-vis fleece with retro-reflective stripes.

Lights
I've 3 small led lights, and a main spangy bright light that recharges. Recommend rechargable lights, or else you will get through a massive stack of batteries over the course of the dark seasons.

Tools
I carry a spare inner tube, a puncture repair kit, a compact pump, and a spanner of wheel-nut size. All really easy to get.

Bananas
Are great pre-ride energy. I've yet to encounter a sciencey-energy food that didn't taste awful. If you take the chocolate route, be aware how long the sugar rush will last, as having the crash when you aren't home yet is really annoying.

Groups
Does your workplace have any other cyclists? Does your city/town/hamlet have cycle groups? There are many LJ communities and message boards devoted to the subject. Sustrans have lots of information, though I've not found much that local enough for me. Your local council may have information, training, maps of local routes, other stuff, as they are all desperate to get us out of cars.

[tenuous.livejournal.com]

I've cycled to work for years. It's easy if you're office has a shower. Around Cov it's actually significantly faster in the mornings than a car is.

For your suit, just leave the jacket on the back of your chair and your work shoes under your desk/in a drawer. Suit trousers and shirts easily fold down into a a rucksack or pannier*. Once you've got the hang of it you can be out of the office faster than many car owners since you don't have to queue out of the car park.

*If you're new to cycling use a rucksack. Pannier's alter the bikes centre of gravity and take a while to get used to since they tend to 'stick' the back wheel down and limit manoeurvreability.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

I used to cycle, but that was before/during university days. Then moved further away, and ... well, faded out when my commute was to Rugby.