pwa wrote:Cycling in my work clothes is not an option.
Another way it's tough being a deep sea diver
pwa wrote:Cycling in my work clothes is not an option.
mjr wrote:pwa wrote:Cycling in my work clothes is not an option.
Another way it's tough being a deep sea diver
pwa wrote:What you wear when you cycle is your business and nobody else's.
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.. Cycling in my work clothes is not an option.
Cyril Haearn wrote:pwa wrote:What you wear when you cycle is your business and nobody else's.
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.. Cycling in my work clothes is not an option.
May I ask why not, I am wondering if you work in a lab, or have to wear a spotless business suit...?
I would love to wear a (railway) uniform
pwa wrote: Everything I cycle in ends up a bit speckled with mud. Also, I find most clothes not designed for cycling to be less comfortable. [...]
Don't recommend me a Dutch style bike. The thought of having to ride one of those up the first steep hill on my journey home would be a real incentive to use the car.
mjr wrote:pwa wrote: Everything I cycle in ends up a bit speckled with mud. Also, I find most clothes not designed for cycling to be less comfortable. [...]
Don't recommend me a Dutch style bike. The thought of having to ride one of those up the first steep hill on my journey home would be a real incentive to use the car.
But it's the thought, which is almost certainly worse than the reality need be... and I suspect even with your current bike, better mudguards and saddle would deal with most of the problems (and possibly a shirt long enough not to leave a gap when bent over but maybe that's not an option if they're from a work range).
But I agree with your earlier sentiment that it's mostly up to you, but I also agree with others that it's a shame if it gives anyone the impression that getting changed is a necessary part of cycle commuting. Think of it as like if the only motorist you knew drove a Caterham 7 and got changed into a sheepskin coat and goggles every time.
Cyril Haearn wrote:........I would love to wear a (railway) uniform
horizon wrote:But what I've wondered is whether the key factor is indeed the relative actual hassle of the two modes or just the familiarity and preparedness of your regular choice. My conclusion at the moment is that it's the latter.
Zanda wrote:4. How to organise the contents of a bike pannier (or similar large bag) so each item is quickly retrievable.
Zanda wrote:Bikes are a long way from the convenience of cars, but there are certain ways this can be improved very easily. This is especially true of the majority of bikes marketed in the UK. There are certain bike parts, marketed as accessories, that can turn the average hybrid into a more useful bike.
But bikes could still be more practical for day to day urban journeys. To this end, there's work to be done by product designers in developing additional retrofit products. These products should solve basic problems of personal organisation, including:
1. How to stow a D-lock so that it's quick to retrieve and use
2. How to carry keys, money and other valuables on the bike in such a way that they can be easily picked up and carried away when the cyclist parks the bike
3. How to carry and protect (removable) bike lights, away from the bike. Ditto the other cycling accessories that's aren't needed when off the bike, such as gloves.
4. How to organise the contents of a bike pannier (or similar large bag) so each item is quickly retrievable.
Barks wrote:I do lots of short trips (between 1 &3 Miles, very occasionally up to 5 at start end of rail journeys and between my work sites) and I always travel in my work clothes which even includes a uniform on occasions. I am very conscious of the weather forecast and have a cycle Cape in my bag just in case I really do get caught out - it is a pain to use but actually really works once you get over the wind resistance effect but it is only used very infrequently, perhaps less than once a month. Yes, cycling needs more forethought than the car, but it is simply an attitude of mind in reality. Lycra and speed machine match the longer commute, normal clothes and mudguards the shorter ones. It definitely saves me time, the exercise is very welcome but then I am pretty fit and play team sports every week - but everyone thinks I am mad/eccentric/OCD because I don’t just simply jump in a car. They are lazy, not their fault in reality, the car culture is now an ingrained culture for most people over 25 or so; most are overweight with another diagnosis of type 2 diabetes every few week (Sorry about my stereotype conscious bias thought pattern).