Gearing up for commuting

[Social Distortion]

I have been thinking about the same thing.
My commute to the train station is about 15 miles each way.
I figured that i may just purchase some saddle bags and put like my work shoes there, along w/ some misc. work items ( i hope a lapotop fits).

I havent seen those Graggin' pants, but i wonder if i buy a size or two larger, if i can just put them over my dress slacks, change in the parking lot an djust leave em in the saddle bags.

Hey- i got no shame- use to change into my surfing westuit on the side of the road all the time back is So. Cal

Just havent figured out the hair thing yet. I use lots of hair product ( no metrosexual jokes please) and i dont know about bringing a blowdryer, gel and hairspray to work and fixing the hair there. Seems like a buzz cut is in order!

[roscowgo]

they actually make "Overpants" for biking. this sounds like a good idea to me

i've tried it, and slacks just dont block enough of the wind for the boys to be comfy. nothing like getting to work feeling like a raisinette! 45 degrees+70mph+morning mist=:cold:

also..safer. much safer with the real gear.


he he he. now thats how you persuade someone. remind em their nads are gonna think they're in the freezer

[Sev]

These and many others will fit over a regular pair of pants. I suggest these because they have zip away solid panels that reveal mesh underneath. Meaning you only need one pair for the whol year, if it gets hot, wear them as mesh, otherwise wear them like snow pants. There are LOTS of similar pants to be found.

[somecallmetim?]

15 miles each way to work. Full face helmet, gloves and armored leather jacket. I will get some of those pull over riding pants for Fathers day.

[CNF2002]

Overpants with armor are the way to go. Jacket, mesh with removable insert for all-temperature riding, leather gloves padded in the right spots, fullface helmet with clear and tinted visor in the bags. I do wear dressy shoes, they have no ankle support but they have a thick boot tread.

[dieziege]

The ideal has got to be an oversuit from aerostich or the like. One peice jumpsuit with zippers everywhere... Once you get to work just unzip the suit and roll it up. You can wear work clothes (of whatever sort) under it no problem. Supposedly the venting is good enough for high temps.

Personally, my commuter outfit is:
JR Phoenix 4.0 (mesh) jacket
JR Alter Ego (textile/mesh) overpants
Gloves.
Modular Helmet w/ dark shield (clear shield in visor pocket of jacket)
Steel-toed work boots.

In my tank bag I have:
Rain liner for phoenix jacket
long-sleeved shirt (for extra warmth)
The other unused parts (e.g. from pants).

The Phoenix is good for hot climates. If there is any sort of breeze at all you can wear it (even at stop lights) without sweating too much. With the rain liner in it is fine down to the 60s on the freeway, but it gets a bit clammy if there is any moisture in the air.

I leave a pair of comfortable shoes at the office... plan to get proper MC boots as soon as I can find the ones I want to try on.

[Lion_Lady]

...My question is for those who commute on their bikes to work, how seriously do you gear up. My standard work attire is dockers and polo or a dress shirt and some Rockports. Initially my plan was a good helmet, jacket and some gloves. Commute into work is only about 4 miles but I can see that I might want to extend that greatly on the ride home. If I decide it is necessary to gear up more than that I expect it will take a lot of the enjoyment out of commuting on the bike....

Thanks, Monty

Why? The key is buying gear that FITS you well. Which means trying stuff on. Buying higher end stuff should include better comfort.

I guess its all in the mindset. Sure it is neat to feel the wind on your face and against your skin, but you can never allow yourself to forget the trade off of that 'freedom': Greater likelihood of serious injury if you crash.

Those who commute regularly, are at increased risk of an unexpected 'enounter' with a vehicle. It's just basic statistics. Given the distracted mental state that an alarming number of drivers get behind the wheel in... well, I hope you get my drift.

The simplest thing for you would likely be to get either a 'cover set' of gear, something that you can wear OVER your work clothes, OR keep a change of clothes at work, and buy something that you wear alone.

I've got both overpants AND riding pants that I can actually work in. My riding boots are comfy enough that I can work in them as well, but sometimes I'll pack my sneakers to change up.

P

[bok]

my neighbours probably think i am wierd because i put on all my gear (boots, chaps, jacket, gloves, full faced helmet) just to ride down to the store a mile away. but i made a rule for myself that when i get on my bike i get geared up before i go. if i stop wearing the gear for short trips, soon i will start not wearing it on longer and longer rides to the point where it's flip flops and the Corona tank top.

noone can tell you how much gear you should wear, but if you would wear it to go across the state, that's the same gear you should wear to go across town in my opinion

[TeamONEinc]

Thats the same philosophy I use bok. The temptation is there, especially living in the beautiful weather of Southern California. I played baseball in high school and college....getting those small strawberries on your thighs and elbows are enough to make you cry when you think of having that all over your body! Monty:

I commute about 10 miles to work...so far i have been able to buy
Joe Rocket Speedmaster Leather Jacket
Joe Rocket Speedmaster gloves
Shoei RF-1000 helmet
Alpine Stars tech series boots.

I really want pants but have not decided on which ones yet.....does your work allow you to keep your work clothes at work? if so, you can gear up comfortably without wearing work clothes underneath your riding gear.

[onlinesmurf]

Nowadays.

JR Phoenix 4.0 mesh jacket
JR Phoenix 2.0 mesh pants (overpants)
JR Phoenix 3.0 mesh gloves
Setup GPX waterproof motorcycle boots.
Shoei z-2
and now HJC ac-12 el diablo.

My friends always laugh when I gear up, but in the next breath they say motorcycling is dangerous. Fools like that, they are. They also remember my fool days.

I commute about 18 miles to work and I work for a Fortune 500 company in a corporate environment. If I can gear all the way up anyone can. I bought all this stuff so I can wear it over my work attire. I also leave a pair of shoes at work, but sometimes I bring another pair If I need it in my tank bag (and I wear a size 13).

Gearing up fully makes sense. Putting on a jacket but no pant protection indicates you like your upper body more than your legs? I also have 2 other jackets. One for real cold (its also waterproof) and one that is leather. Its cold and rainy today and I still rode in.