Cycling to work

jendafer1

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone on here cycles into work and if they have any tips regarding clothing, safety and staying looking fresh during the day! I have the option of showering in work, but I dont want to end up having to wash my hair twice a day!

Any tips greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Jendafer

Seraphina

I cycle to work too, however unlike you I don't have the option of showering at work! (lucky thing!)

I usually wear specific gear to cycle in, bring a change of clothes / deo / hairbrush to 'freshen up' when I get in. I don't have a particularly long or arduous cycle though (only about 20 - 25 mins) so I just shower as usual before work, then head off on my bike. I've never had anyone comment or complain about me being stinky (I'd want to be told though I'd probably be morto :eek:) so I figure it's enough.

I do find when it's been so hot recently, it's been tough to cool down before I change. I usually like to get in early and sit down with a couple of glasses of water before I need to change and get to my desk.

However, while I work front-of-house, I don't have a particular dress code to uphold or standards of appearance to adhere to. I don't usually wear make-up in work and I'm generally fairly lazy with my hair anyway, so if you're more high maintenance / and or have access to a shower, you'd probably want to be bringing a little more stuff in with you.

Do you have lockers or a safe place where you can leave toiletries/make up?
I basically leave my spare shoes in the server room as it's next to the toilet where I change and the place I work has very little in terms of facilities for staff in that way.

Scarinae

I'd be interested in cycling to work as well, I got a second-hand bike recently and fixed it up... My main concern is getting helmet hair and being sweaty. It's about six miles between where I live and where I work, so I think it might be a bit ambitious for me to start at that distance right away considering I'm more of a recreational cycler and am not used to rush-hour London traffic

Seraphina

Fishie have you checked out if there are any cycle super-highways near you? (probably a stupid question, but ya know...)

I live in London too, so I know what you mean about the traffic, though I start work at 10, so I leave after 9 and probably miss the worst of it. It really depends on your route. I can cut through a park as well which means less time on the road. I'd recommend giving it a dry run on a saturday or sunday afternoon and see how it works out. If you take it at a relatively leisurely pace, you can avoid arriving overly sweaty!

Also regarding the helmet hair... I don't wear one I know it's bad but they're just such a pain, they generate far more head-sweat, and even when your hair is tied up they seem to manage to make it yuck!

RacoonQueen

My cycle was 4 miles each way back when I worked regular hours. I used to treat each one as a training session so I'd be giving it welly both ways.

I always had baby wipes in my locker for those extra sweaty days and would give my self a quick wipe down with them
Deodrant.
Maybe a facecloth and a bit of soap if you're self concious. If you're showering that morning though a baby wipe or a quick wipe with the t-shirt you cycled in in should suffice.
I wore cycling/running gear and changed when I got in.
I had a hairbrush in my locker and just brushed my hair again there, I wash my hair every morning. 'Helmet hair' doesn't exist. Trust me.

Please, please, PLEASE wear a helmet.

jendafer1

well I cycled in this morning and I feel great!! Its about 5-6km and took me about 30mins. I took it at my own pace and had no problems with traffic / other cyclists - even though the cycle path does disappear every so often on my route in!
My main worry was the helmet hair as well - but since my route in is mainly downhill I barely broke a sweat so my hair is still grand! Definately not looking forward to the uphill hike on the way home though!
Am also thinking of stocking up on that dry shampoo stuff just in case - any one ever used it?!

Also - please everyone wear a helmet, a close friend of mine was knocked off his bike... if he hadnt been wearing a helmet that day... well its not worth thinking about

Pembily

I cycled between 6k and 15k one way a day and just wore light clothes when cycling and didn't sweat too much and brought my college / work clothes in a bag!

Eh helmet hair - what kinda hair do you have, even with my now bob I don't get helmet hair??? The choice is harsh but true - helmet hair (myth) or being dead????? My head sweats when I do a serious 30k cycle and I sweat so you'll be grand! Wear a helmet FFS...

Malari

I cycle, but it's only 4.5k, so I don't usually get up much of a sweat over 10mins! When it's warm though, I bring a change of top, or leave some spare clothes in work. I find it worse when it's a bit damp and I wear a rainjacket. Even though it's breathable, it's a bit icky when I get in initially, so deodorant and baby-wipes are great for a quick freshen-up.

I love it, especially in the winter. It warms me right up and it's nice to do a bit of exercise first thing before I spend a day at my desk.

Oh and on the safety thing - helmets are not miraculous life-savers! At least as important is being aware of what's going on around you. If you go up the inside of a truck at traffic lights and it turns left, ain't no helmet going to save you from being crushed! I see dozens of helmet-wearers taking stupid risks every day. :mad:

cdaly_

I do 14km each way and (like RacoonQueen) treat it as training. Full lycra and shower when I get to work. Hair gets rinsed every time but shampooed only every 2 or 3 days. I guess from the female perspective, rinsing hair is as bad as shampooing as you lose the styling?

From the safety POV, I don't wear hi-vis but I run twin flashing lights front and rear at all times (daytime too). The bit that makes the real difference safety wise is using the road effectively. I don't use on-path cycle lanes as these are invariably poorly maintained with bad surfaces, broken glass and wandering pedestrians. They also leave you without priority at junctions etc. Instead I cycle on the road.

Where a cycle lane is marked on the road I'll use it between junctions, if not, I cycle about 1.5 - 2 metres out from the kerb. This means cars have to overtake you properly rather than just squeezing by if you're close to the kerb. It also leaves you escape room if necessary.

At junctions, I move out into the middle of the appropriate traffic lane, particularly where there is a left-filter lane (I'll move out to the middle of the straight ahead lane in that case). Marked cycle lanes at these junctions are often very badly designed and will leave you to the left of left-turning traffic. I don't use those lanes at all. At traffic lights I'll go to the front of the appropriate lane, stop in the centre of the lane and signal my intentions to the driver behind.

Big obvious signals all the time. Full length of arm out for turns, arm up to signal straight ahead when stopped in front of traffic.

Trucks are dangerous beasts. They have huge blind spots and are the single most dangerous thing a cyclist will encounter. They are at their most dangerous at junctions. Never go up the left-hand side of a truck. Stay behind it or overtake it in the right hand lane. If you find yourself to the left of a truck that is about to turn left, get out of there. Get up on the path or something. The driver cannot see you and the truck will use up all the available room in the turn...

As for helmets, there is mixed opinion on their benefits. You only have to have a read of any helmet thread over on Cycling.

Oh, and for the trip home, pick a low gear and pedal fast...

Seraphina

I would tend to agree with some of the other posters who question the usefulness of helmets.

More often than not, I've found they impede my field of vision, and my ability to turn my head comfortably, hence seriously reducing my awareness of what's going on around me. To me, when I'm commuting there are a number of other things which are much more valuable to you than a helmet.

Knowledge of the rules of the road (simple, but many people are unaware of the basics)

Knowledge of your route, and the traffic routes/ road markings/ lane divisions along the way.

Constant awareness of other vehicles around you, bikes, cars, pedestrians and especially larger vehicles like trucks and buses (just because they are hard for you to miss, doesn't mean they won't miss you)
If you cycle a regular route, simple things like knowing the route that the bus in front/behind/to the right of you is going to take (keep an eye on bus numbers, the route they take and note them for the future)

HAND SIGNALS. I see far too many bikers changing lanes without them, it's not big and it's not clever.

Knowledge of your limits - not trying to push to that junction to make the lights just as they turn orange. You still need to get ACROSS the junction. I have seen some close calls as cars start coming the other way when bikers are trying to get across by the skin of their teeth.

Expect the unexpected. People cross roads, change lanes and open car doors into the road very often without looking, or certainly looking close enough to see a cyclist. Car drivers can be pretty ignorant about indicating, especially when turning left, as they assume everyone is behind them and forget there might be cyclists coming up their side.

CHECK YOUR BRAKES. They should be checked, adjusted and replaced regularly depending on your use and the wear and tear they receive. And this often means much sooner than you think. I bought a brand new bike in March. I do a relatively short commute and no heavy weekend riding, but my brake pads need replacing already. It's not expensive and it's worth it!

The best helmet in the world won't save you from careless, ignorant cycling or brakes that are so worn you slam into a truck even though you saw it from 10 metres away.

RacoonQueen

I came off my bike two years ago thanks to a bus pulling in in front of me suddenly. My head WALLOPED off the ground, well my helmet did. God knows where I'd be now if it wasn't for my helmet.

That fall ****ed up my marathon which was two weeks later, it could have been so much worse. Wear a correctly fitting helmet and you won't have any visibility problems.

Pembily

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I came off my bike two years ago thanks to a bus pulling in in front of me suddenly. My head WALLOPED off the ground, well my helmet did. God knows where I'd be now if it wasn't for my helmet.

That fall ****ed up my marathon which was two weeks later, it could have been so much worse. Wear a correctly fitting helmet and you won't have any visibility problems.

My thinking exactly!!! The only bad thing your helmet should do is give you sweaty hair!!! It should help your vision (reducing the suns glare with the visor) and most definitely not impede your ability to turn your head

irish_eyes

wear shades, keeps the flies out yer eyes lol

Pembily

Pembily wrote: »

My thinking exactly!!! The only bad thing your helmet should do is give you sweaty hair!!! It should help your vision (reducing the suns glare with the visor) and most definitely not impede your ability to turn your head

My thinking too. If you have a good quality, well fitting helmet it should in no way impede your vision.
On the issue of not wanting to wash your hair twice a day, why not wear a shower cap when you have the shower in work? A quick brush will work out any helmet hair, and I can't imagaine your head with sweat too much or at all on your commute

dearg lady

I've been cycling into work for the last few years, used to be 8k each way, but now it's only about 3. If you find you're gettin quite warm, a change of clothes is advisable. I never bother with a shower when I get in, just a bit of a freshen up and change my clothes if necessary. I think in general we Irish are a bit over the top with our fear of being smelly and sweaty, it's generally not as bad as you think!

I used to wear a helmet, but after doin a lot of research I see no benefits and stopped. I enjoy cycling much more without it, but some people prefer to wear one. You can figure that out for yourself anyways.

I'd echo what other posters said, familiarise yourself with the rules of the road, use hand signals, stay away from large vehicles, don't put yourself in someones blind spot, and invest in a good set of lights, and possibly some rain gear.

Cycling is a lot of fun, I really enjoy it, I feel in great form after a cycle, and it surely does blow off the cobwebs in the morning!

jendafer1

Well my cycle home wasnt as horrendous as I suspected, really had to push myself up that hill (I say "hill", really its more of a gentle incline!) Have to agree on the whole knowing the rules of the road thing, last time I cycled into work was about ~4 years ago when I didnt drive. Now I am driver and am used to being on a motorbike (as a pillion) and I find both experiences very useful for cycling on the road. I find that this time round I'm much better at anticipating what a driver might do, seeing obstacles in advance, and I guess just seeing the road from a drivers point of view. Happy cycling ladies!

Genghis

I agree that wearing a helmet is not the only, or even the most important thing - awareness, clear signalling, defensive positioning on the road and being visible are all more important.

BUT I simply cannot see the argument that a helmet impedes or inconveniences you. I have a number of helmets I use, and have never noticed any restriction or impediment from wearing any of them. Having had a few knocks in my time, I hate the days when I leave home or work without one.

dearg lady

Genghis wrote: »

I agree that wearing a helmet is not the only, or even the most important thing - awareness, clear signalling, defensive positioning on the road and being visible are all more important.

BUT I simply cannot see the argument that a helmet impedes or inconveniences you. I have a number of helmets I use, and have never noticed any restriction or impediment from wearing any of them. Having had a few knocks in my time, I hate the days when I leave home or work without one.

moreso, for me personally, I see no point in wearing something that hasn't been proven to be particularly helpful. Reesearch shows helmets are beneficial in very specific circumstances only. You are actually more likely to sustain a head injury as a pedestrian or in a car, yet people don't wear helmets in these circumstances. Helmets suggest cycling is more dangerous than it actually is, and the more dangerous people think cycling is, the less likely they are to do it, so it can have a general negative impact. Furthermore, studies have shown that the use of helmets can cause soem drivers to pass closer to the cyclist, making it more dangerous!

But, as I said above, I do respect anyones right to wear a helmet, it's a personal choice, and we all make our own decisions based on the information available to us. What I don't appreciate is people assuming the only reason I don't wear a helmet is because I'm vain, or implying I'm stupid for not wearing one. (that's not directed at you Genghis, just a general observation!)

Morgase

I'm speaking as a non-cycling interloper, but those of you who have hair like mine (very very fine, greasy by the end of the day) probably do get the nasty helmet hair.

I've just started trying dry shampoo for those times when it's not convenient to wash hair and it's actually very good.

It might be better on blonde hair because if I use too much on my dark brown hair it can look a little grey. Still, a little greyness looks better than greasy flat hair!

Here's a link to a piece in the Guardian showing you how to use dry shampoo. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/15/dry-shampoos-review-sali-hughes

jendafer1

Morgase wrote: »

I'm speaking as a non-cycling interloper, but those of you who have hair like mine (very very fine, greasy by the end of the day) probably do get the nasty helmet hair.

I've just started trying dry shampoo for those times when it's not convenient to wash hair and it's actually very good.

It might be better on blonde hair because if I use too much on my dark brown hair it can look a little grey. Still, a little greyness looks better than greasy flat hair!

Here's a link to a piece in the Guardian showing you how to use dry shampoo. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/15/dry-shampoos-review-sali-hughes

Oh I was thinking about trying a dry shampoo but never have - can you recommend any in particular? My hair sounds similar to yours, quite fine and gets greasy easily enough.

Morgase

jendafer1 wrote: »

Oh I was thinking about trying a dry shampoo but never have - can you recommend any in particular? My hair sounds similar to yours, quite fine and gets greasy easily enough.

I'm using Batiste, which I got in Boots for €3.99. The trick is to shake the can like blazes, and to not spray on too much.

Batiste do a load of different ones, but I think the only difference is the smell rather than any other effect.

Hope it works for ya! It should do, as it works best on fine, grease-prone hair like ours. It's not much use for really full-bodied curly hair (I should've mentioned that in my previous post).

Dortilolma

I cycle into work most mornings - it's about 14K through town and there are quite a few hills so I sweat like a deamon.
I wear cycle/workout gear while cycling and carry a change of clothes with me.
There isn't the option to shower at work so I have a little routine. I have a face cloth and one of those little fiber towels you can get from Penny's at work. I also wipe down with baby wipes and spray some deo once I'm washed (I can't stand feeling icky in anyway).

As regards to helmet hair - I cycle with a plait - restyle quickly at work and have some teeny tiny hair straighteners I bought in Argos 2 years ago for about €20 to sort out my fringe.

cdaly_

Dortilolma wrote: »

I cycle into work most mornings - it's about 14K through town and there are quite a few hills so I sweat like a deamon.
I wear cycle/workout gear while cycling and carry a change of clothes with me.

I bring in a week's worth of clothing and save having to carry anything for the rest of the week.

Emme

It's probably safer to wear a helmet and I'd advise anyone starting cycling to do so. However, I have found that when I wear a helmet drivers are more aggressive towards me. I've been cycling for over 10 years, sometimes wearing a helmet, sometimes not and I don't feel any safer wearing one or not. I wear a helmet more in the winter when it's darker (well a bit, this "summer" has been so gloomy) and colder.

Kooli

I absolutely LOVE cycling to work, I can't imagine travelling any other way now (except occasionally when I decide to walk instead).

My commute is only 10 minutes so I don't have to worry too much about sweating. If I have to go further, I just make sure to really take it easy and not cycle too fast, and then generally I'm fine.

I don't wear a helmet for all the reasons already mentioned. Like others have said, I'd respect anyone's right to wear one, but I don't think people should be scared into it when the evidence to support helmet wearing is not strong.

For instance, how many people here have said they know someone whose life has been saved by wearing a helmet? I hear it all the time, yet if it were true, surely there would be far more stories about people who were actually killed by not wearing one (seeing as helmet wearing is probably still in the minority). But the chances of dying on a bike are really slim, and most deaths are caused by left-turning trucks, and no helmet is going to save you then!
But I don't really want to turn this into a helmet debate, but I also don't want the 'truth' of helmet necessity to go unchallenged!!

So my tips are keep your wits about you (don't wear earphones), take the road when you need to (i.e. don't squeeze yourself onto the left side if there isn't really space to overtake you), don't EVER cycle up the left hand side of a truck or bus at traffic lights or near an intersection, but mostly enjoy the luxury of door to door transport that is low-cost and good for your health!

mcmoustache

I've been cycling everywhere for over a year now and if there was one single bit of safety advice that I would give, it would be this:

Pay attention - behind you as well as in front.

This is really important. Being able to anticipate and prevent a potential collision is vital. While a helmet will save your head in some collisions (or break your neck in others), looking around you and having an idea of what pedestrians, cars and other cyclists might do will stop you crashing in the first place.

So look around you and take out those earphones. Wear a helmet if you like but don't assume that it will save your life. In most cases, it won't but a bit of cop on will.

jendafer1

mcmoustache wrote: »

Pay attention - behind you as well as in front.

QUOTE]

I'm glad someone mentioned this - as I have a habit of doing a "blind check" anytime I have to dodge a pothole etc, i think its from being a pillion passenger. I have noticed that many other cyclists don't seem to do this which I was a little curious about.

cdaly_

Yep, the 'lifesaver'.

BTW, I wear earphones. Cuts the wind noise (at my speeds) and doesn't block my hearing entirely. In any case, I find that even without earphones I don't hear an engine with anything like enough time to react. Active observation is the key for me...

Oh, and how was the spin in today's howling gale?

Alopex

don't need to wash hair just tie it back if its long. would look more professional in work that way