Cycle to Work - Wet Clothes?

Ballard

I started commuting an hour each way into work a couple of times a week this year. I have cycling shorts that stay mostly dry but underwear and the t-shirt that I wear are drenched in sweat by the time I finish my journey. I'm not convinced that hanging my pants up to dry would go down particularly well in the office so I put everything in my bag and they get aired at home before going into the laundry basket. Neither my bag nor my clothes suffer any ill effects of this. My towel dries draped on my drawers by my desk.

I take a change of clothes for the office and am able to shower there so I feel pretty good all day. There's no way I could do this journey without a shower. 

rdr

Ballard said:

I started commuting an hour each way into work a couple of times a week this year. I have cycling shorts that stay mostly dry but underwear and the t-shirt that I wear are drenched in sweat by the time I finish my journey. I'm not convinced that hanging my pants up to dry would go down particularly well in the office so I put everything in my bag and they get aired at home before going into the laundry basket. Neither my bag nor my clothes suffer any ill effects of this. My towel dries draped on my drawers by my desk.

I take a change of clothes for the office and am able to shower there so I feel pretty good all day. There's no way I could do this journey without a shower. 

The answer is simple – don't wear pants under your cycling shorts. They are not designed for it. It's far more comfortable and less likely to cause sores even when it's dry. Soggy pants under your shorts is asking for trouble

Ballard

rdr said:

Ballard said:

I started commuting an hour each way into work a couple of times a week this year. I have cycling shorts that stay mostly dry but underwear and the t-shirt that I wear are drenched in sweat by the time I finish my journey. I'm not convinced that hanging my pants up to dry would go down particularly well in the office so I put everything in my bag and they get aired at home before going into the laundry basket. Neither my bag nor my clothes suffer any ill effects of this. My towel dries draped on my drawers by my desk.

I take a change of clothes for the office and am able to shower there so I feel pretty good all day. There's no way I could do this journey without a shower. 

The answer is simple – don't wear pants under your cycling shorts. They are not designed for it. It's far more comfortable and less likely to cause sores even when it's dry. Soggy pants under your shorts is asking for trouble

Although these are for cycling they’re not Lycra style shorts and are fairly loose fitting. Without wearing underpants it would likely become an uncomfortable journey.  

MacPingu1986

Ballard - I'd recommend switching to lycra cycling shorts - for the length of journey you're doing (my cycle commute is similar) - it'll be a lot more comfortable and less washing (plus marginally more aerodynamic!)
Re your current shorts - even if their loose fitting do they still have the pad & liner inside? If so then they're still designed to be worn without underwear. 

Also worth switching your t-shirt to a lycra or running top that'll dry quickly too.

Ballard

Thanks for the advice. I will look at changing my T-shirts but I find the shorts comfortable. There’s no lining or padding but I don’t have a problem with that. My commute is 13 1/2 miles but I’m happy going 40-50 miles for leisure when it’s warm.

I’ve only stopped getting the train in the autumn so I may change my view as time goes on though, of course. I can honestly say that I really enjoy the rides to and from work. Even when it’s cold and damp it feels good. 

Herzlos

I'd definitely look into getting a good pair of padding cycling shorts, they make quite a difference.
Ideally the bib style that go over your shoulders because it's not as restrictive at the waist.

Something like these: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLPXP3BS/planet-x-pro-line-365x-bib-shorts#CLPXP3BS-XXL-BLK

Ditto with a proper cycling top - better fit, lower back and back pockets, which should dry pretty quickly compared to a standard tshirt.

Ballard

Herzlos said:

I'd definitely look into getting a good pair of padding cycling shorts, they make quite a difference.
Ideally the bib style that go over your shoulders because it's not as restrictive at the waist.

Something like these: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLPXP3BS/planet-x-pro-line-365x-bib-shorts#CLPXP3BS-XXL-BLK

Ditto with a proper cycling top - better fit, lower back and back pockets, which should dry pretty quickly compared to a standard tshirt.

I did have a look for tops over the weekend but didn't see anything that really stuck out but I will look to getting something at some point soon. As to the shorts, I understand where you're coming from but I find what I have to be very comfortable so unless that changes I'll stick with it.  

[Deleted User]

I got the Dry Soon Pod from Lakeland for Christmas, only used it once but seems very effective, hung up cycle gear, zipped up and turned on and maybe 2 hours later (was when I went by the pod later), all dry and toasty. Only teeny complaint is that the bibs are too long for it - the legs just had to be folded over the coat hanger

Username03725

Ballard said:

As to the shorts, I understand where you're coming from but I find what I have to be very comfortable so unless that changes I'll stick with it.  

Your existing choice isn't going to become less comfortable, but if you haven't tried padded lycra shorts (sans undercrackers) you might be pleasantly surprised at how much better they are. You'd also solve the sweaty pants issue at a stroke. Lycra shorts and tops are designed to wick sweat away and dry out very quickly in the right conditions. Personally I can't imagine using anything else for rides over & above a few miles.

It's been mentioned that keeping a stock of clothes in the office is the best bet, and doing one journey a week by car to deliver new clothes and remove worn office togs is way better than making every ride a PITA due to all the weight you're carrying on a daily basis. If you can get a desktop or even a spare laptop to avoid carrying that back & forth your issues are resolved.

otlondon

I have been commuter cycling in London out of London + train for maybe 10 years+. I have done both cycling in ordinary clothing and "technical" cycling clothing, long journeys and short. At the moment I am cycling in work clothes most days, but if it rains I have a waterproof coat and take spare clothes to change into. I do occasionally get caught out, but usually my clothing drys out whilst I am sat in them in an hour or so. A spare pair of socks is a minimum. My journey is about 40 minutes on a dutch utility bike which has a covered chain and mudguards. I would also recommend pannier bags and a rear bike rack to increase comfort. In summer I would wear a t shirt and take a work shirt in the pannier with a damp flannel dosed in essential oil to have a wipe around when I get to work in the sink.