Everything you Need to Ride to Work

There seems to be the belief that to ride to work, or to ride anywhere these days, you have to put on a heap of riding specific items. From “clippy” shoes, to gloves, to cycling specific glasses, to nicks - you just can’t get up, get ready for work and jump on your bike.

Why on earth not?

Somewhere along the way, cycling became all sport and no utility.

Utility cycling is when you use your bike to do your day to day travelling around. Be it to work, to the shops, to day care, to the movies or to the theatre… you can ride it, without all the get up.

I have been riding to and from work and frankly, everywhere else, for a number of years now, initially starting with bike-share. I sold my car back in 2011 because I just never drove it.

Interestingly, after one holiday a year or so ago, I just couldn’t face putting my work clothes on, so rode in a tee and some shorts. That morning my ride to work was viewed as “exercise” even though it was the same ride I’d been doing every morning for over a year – in my work clothes. Go figure.

Why do we have this perception that riding can only be exercise? Not everyone granted, but by most. I am often asked a lot how much weight I’ve lost since I started cycling. Ummm, it’s just like walking just more convenient. It’s not designed to be a work out. If I want to do that, then heck, I can, but just to gad about? No siree, Bob!

Half the time, people don’t even know I have ridden. Pretty dress, hair just so, make up perfect and good shoes – I can’t possibly have ridden my bike – but I have.

There is an expression from the States called the “Five Foot Rule” in that if you aren’t standing within five feet of your bike, people wouldn’t know you’ve ridden. I live by the Five Foot Rule. After almost three years at my current employ, I still get people popping over to my desk excitedly telling me they saw me riding my bike to work – they had no idea I do it every day.

There is no rule book (Velominati rules do not apply to us regular folks). You don’t “have” to wear anything in particular. You don’t have to ride fast (this is the big one I’ve found). You don’t have to have a road bike or a fancy hybrid.

Depending on how I feel, the weather (and how late I slept in) I will ride from 15km a day to over 50km a day – all in my corporate or regular clothes. I don’t ride fast (my average speed is a blistering 16km/h). I avoid hills. I stay off busy roads. I have a goofy smile on my face. I turn up to work at the same time every day. Am never impacted by gridlock, and I have a healthy amount of unused sick leave (these and other proven work related benefits deserve a whole other piece).

Certainly now, as cycle chic is being more of a thing internationally, and even here where I live in Australia, there are well known brands creating cycling friendly clothes. Like jeans specifically made for the bike, jackets/blazers more comfortable to ride in, even sneakers with bike friendly reflective designs. Then there are the companies that only make sports gear – they are creating ranges now that are more utility riding friendly. Of course there are the cycle chic companies making handbags/briefcases/panniers, skirts, suits, and even trench-coats that are all about looking stylish on your bike.

There are, however, only a two things* you need to ride to work.

A bike and a route.

*In some countries or states Mandatory Helmet Laws sees you require a third item.

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