One of the most annoying things when thinking about cycling to work, and a real put off for a number of people, is the amount of preparation needed to make you ‘work ready’ as soon as you arrive. Usually, you need to take extra clothes into work, spare work shoes, a towel, have access to showers and a host of other preparation activities. However, do you really need to worry about all of this?? Is commuting in your work clothes a viable option?
Can you wear a suit on your bike commute? With a few modifications to your cycling form, you can easily commute without need for a full wash down at the other end. Depending on your situation, commuting in a suit can work well and actually save you time. Why not give it a go!
When you think of cyclists, I am sure you picture lycra-clad riders, with aerodynamic riding positions and with every bodily hair removed for minimum wind resistance. This is not exactly a look that would be deemed ‘office friendly’ and I am sure HR would have a word or two if you donned this outfit for the meeting with a new client.
Obviously, the majority of serious cyclists that commute up to their eyeballs in matching club lycra will have access to showers and changing facilities, and that is just fine, but what if you just want to use your bike to get to work just to minimise the stress, get your body moving a bit and do your small bit for the environment with absolutely no desire to become the next Wiggins.
This is where cycling in a suit comes in. It has many benefits, not least it doesn’t need you to be fully prepared for the week with 5 ironed shirts, suit, spare shoes and any other items you need all neatly hung in your locker. You get out of bed, get dressed and get on your bike, simple right!!
Whilst this option is good for some it may not be for everyone a there are some considerations to make:
- The distance of you commute
- The climate and weather conditions
- The route you take and the terrain i.e. road, cycle path etc
- Volume of traffic
This article will give you some top tips for deciding if this option is the right one for you.
Avoiding Sweat when Cycling to Work in a Suit
The main issue with cycling in work clothes…is sweat. We all do it, its nothing to be ashamed of but it does smell and it can make a mess of your nice business attire.
Warmer weather or and increased activity leading to a rise in body temperature can lead to sweating. All people sweat differently for varied levels of temperature or exertion and this is obviously the body’s normal response. This is not desirable if you are trying to keep you suit pristine for the upcoming meeting.
However, low levels of physical exercise, whilst increasing heart rate slightly may not inflict vast amounts of sweat if the heart rate is kept within a lower range. A brisk walk may or may not make you sweat but there is a level of physical activity in which you can keep sweat at a minimum.
To stop excessive sweating during cycling to work, you will need to modify your riding style to be more gentle and relaxed. Whilst this slower pace will extend the length of your commute, it doesn’t have to be too much of a detriment.
You don’t even need to go that much slower. Remember, effort and speed don’t have a linear relationship. Cutting back to 80% normal speed can be a big reduction in effort, while only increasing your travel time by 25%.
Take this simple, pessimistic example. Most cyclists can achieve 10 – 12 mph with minimum training. You will have to reduce this if you want to stay smart. At 10 mph a 5-mile commute would take 30 minutes (easy right?). Let’s assume you can manage your sweat levels at a 5 mph. At this pace, your 5-mile commute (that took 30 minutes) would take an hour (I told you it was easy).
So you double the commute time, that’s not too bad, is it? You can remove the need to shower, you are ready to go as soon as you arrive and you still have a nice relaxing commute. Winner Winner!!
If you can manage a brisk walk without sweating excessively, then a gentle bike commute is easily achievable.
Picking your Route / Terrain
One key consideration for cycling in a suit is the route you pick and the terrain over which you travel. Dirty and wet routes that pose a risk to splashing dirt and debris over your suit should be avoided. It doesn’t matter how gentle you ride, splatter from the spinning wheels is inevitable.
Pick a paved route it possible, which does mean cycling to work in your suit would be more appropriate for the city centre and town commuting rather than country lane commuting for example. Even recognised cycle routes may not be fully paved and so it is really important to pick your route carefully and plan ahead.
Protect Yourself from the Bike and the Elements
Even if you pick your route carefully, and avoid all the route pitfalls mentioned, it is worth protecting yourself further with a few simple, and fairly inexpensive accessories. The following products may be of interest to ensure your suit stays in pristine condition:
- Mud Guards – Help to protect your back from any excess water and mud spatter. This TAGVO protector covers spatter from the front and rear wheels.
- Chain Guard – These products cover your chain to ensure you don’t get contact with your trousers. Again, this Rixen & Kaul Unidisc Chain guard is relatively inexpensive.
- Trouser protector – make sure you protect the bottoms of your trousers from dirt and from catching in the chain. We like the Superior Bike Trouser Protector which is an inexpensive option.
- Obviously a good lightweight overcoat is preferable if the weather changes – but you will have to handle the extra heat in this situation.
Additional Tips for Cycling to Work in a Suit
These tips may help you further in your decision to cycle to work in a suit.
Wear a Looser Fitting Suit
Wearing a looser fitting suit will allow a little more airflow and comfort and will ensure you can move more freely.
Leave the Jacket and Tie at Work
Cycling without the jacket and tie may just be enough to keep you cool. These items can be left on your chair rather than needed a locker and changing facilities.
Use an eBike
This is a solution to the suit cycling problem. An eBike would take the strain and enable a more leisurely ride. You would lose the benefits of cycling to some extent though and the cost is currently a significant one.
Buy an Extra Pair of Trousers
By cycling in trousers you are likely to wear out the seat of the trousers more quickly. You may want to consider buying two pairs with your suit as the jacket will likely last longer than the trousers and you will have a matching replacement ready to go.
This article shows you that you can definitely consider cycling to work in a suit. This becomes a real option and one that will still give some health, wellbeing and environmental benefits but still allows you to turn up at work respectable and ready to go.
