Office bikers

[twistadias]

Hey everyone, Just wanna know how you fellow bikers cope with riding to work.

I will be starting on my first real job this summer break and im not too sure of taking my bike to work. I mean your hair gets messed up, shirt and pant gets creased.

I can't go to work looking like a bufoon and I really don't wanna go by bus.

What do you guys suggest?

[centercore]

Tip number 1 to riding to work - Get a wet weather suit.


I mean your hair gets messed up, shirt and pant gets creased.

Lol..

[Winter]

Get a jacket, stops getting ya shirt creased and keeps ya skin on.

Short haircuts can't be messed up.

Get a job where you can work in kevlar jeans - I do, its so awesome.

Take 2 mins in the carpark to pull yourself together and rock into the office looking relaxed and calm cuz it only took you 10mins to get to work :)

[3L4NS1R]

i thought the creased and crumpled look was in this season?

[twistadias]

Tip number 1 to riding to work - Get a wet weather suit.


Whats the price range on that. Im kinda broke ATM.

[Jantar]

Hey everyone, Just wanna know how you fellow bikers cope with riding to work.

I will be starting on my first real job this summer break and im not too sure of taking my bike to work. I mean your hair gets messed up, shirt and pant gets creased.

I can't go to work looking like a bufoon and I really don't wanna go by bus.

What do you guys suggest?

Hair gets messed up? Buy a comb. It costs less than $1and fixes your hair in seconds.

Shirt gets creased? No more than with any other means of transport.
Pants get creased? Yes that happens just by sitting in an office chair.
If you're really worried, keep a couple of clean shirts and a good pair of trousers at work.


Commuting by bike isn't an issue, and if personal appearance is such a big issue that a comb and having office clothes at work can't fix then you're in the wrong job.

[Duke girl]

Shave your hair off then you dont need to worry about it getting messed up cos you wouldn't have any for that to happen and take a change of clothes to work with you to get changed into. There problem solved. Any other problems you have that need solving?.

[NighthawkNZ]

I can't go to work looking like a bufoon


unless that is why they hired you... or you work at a bufoon office... <_<

[buellbabe]

I get to work, shed the outer bike gear, fix my hair, put on the stiletto boots and I'm good to go in approx 5 mins.

No problemo...

[henry]

HTFU


PS Mmmmmm stiletto boots...

[Griffin]

Dude, I wear a uniform to work which has to be presentable at all times and I bike to work wearing a MC jacket / pants and even a helmet.

The gear shouldnt be causing your clothing that much grief... as for your hair... unless you use gel or mousse the helmet shouldnt be a prob - a wet comb through should sort helmet hair out. If you do use gel or mousse then you need to sell the bike and buy a nice wee car <_<

[dwnundabkr]

I get to work, shed the outer bike gear, fix my hair, put on the stiletto boots and I'm good to go in approx 5 mins.

No problemo...

BB you have to stop teasing us with those boots lol:laugh:

[rachprice]

My friend has to wear a suit for work...he just puts his shirt on at home rides to work in his gear then gets changed there (leaves the suit at work)

[MarkH]

i thought the creased and crumpled look was in this season?

Yeah, crumpled is the new ironed!

And I agree with the short haircut - you look tidy and don't have to worry about helmet hair. (and don't require metro-sexual product)

[vifferman]

Sell your bike or quit your job?

I've worked in an orofice and ridden a bike for... hmmm.. lesseee, about 11 or 12 years now. It's no biggie. Take you nice pants and shoes in a bag, and get changed into 'em when you arrive. You can even leave'm at work overnight if there's somewheres to do it.
Used to amuse the troops no end me arriving all leathered up and bikerduded, then miraculously transforming into Office Dude in suit'n'tie. :rolleyes:
Now I wear what the hell I like to work, like all the other CubicleDronez.

Hair doesn't matter. No-one cares about what you look like as much as you do.

[slofox]

Let ya hair dry before you stick the helmet on........I have personal experience of this.....like today when I had to go to the bank and then the bakery, I took the helmet and balaclava off and found the front of my hair looking as though I had stuck my finger on the spark plug when the engine was running...:shit:...when I got to work I had to wet the whole mop down and recomb.....which does fix it...Other than that I ride to work whenever I can...often by relatively circuitous routes at that.....:devil2:

[vifferman]

Other than that I ride to work whenever I can...often by relatively circuitous routes at that.....:devil2:
Yeah, that's the one. :yes:
I used to ride all the back-street routes, not to save time, but to make sure I got in as many corners as possible and spent as little time as I could sitting at traffic lights or stop signs.
When I lived in Chch I used to try to take a different route if I could. It was less than 5 km in a straight line, but a few times it took me three or four times that distance and I got over 160km/h as well.....:Oops:

As for hair... not a problem for me for the last few years...:mellow:, but even before that - who cares? [insert :spudwhat: emoticodweebicon here]

[Oakie]

I seem to be able to get to work in a fairly uncrumpled manner. The only compromise I make is leaving my work shoes at work and biking in the boots. Short hair helps too.

[turtleman]

I seem to be able to get to work in a fairly uncrumpled manner. The only compromise I make is leaving my work shoes at work and biking in the boots. Short hair helps too.

+1 to that.
Just wear Cordura gear over my office clothes, and keep a couple of pairs of shoes under the desk at work...

[Ixion]

For those days when I must be "client presentable", I wear dress trousers, dress shirt and tie. Cordura over the top, change boots for shoes left at work. Voila, presentable. Jackets are seldom worn in the office in these days of air conditioning. If one is necessary I have a light weight leather one that is 'non toothpaste' enough to pass as smart casual.

or, keep a suit jacket at wore

[more_fasterer]

I seem to be able to get to work in a fairly uncrumpled manner. The only compromise I make is leaving my work shoes at work and biking in the boots. Short hair helps too.

+2. Fortunately my work's dress code is relaxed enough to allow jeans, so I wear my draggin's all day & have a pair of waterproof pants in my backpack for the wet trips

[Grub]

All good advice here. I leave shoes at work and have several pairs of non-crease dress pants worn under cordura with white shirt and tie. All tidy and presentable.

The solution for helmet hair is either a bloody good hair drier for the morning shower or showering at night. Wet hair is not an option in a helmet.

[Nasty]

All good advice here. I leave shoes at work and have several pairs of non-crease dress pants worn under cordura with white shirt and tie. All tidy and presentable.

The solution for helmet hair is either a bloody good hair drier for the morning shower or showering at night. Wet hair is not an option in a helmet.

Unlike the Grub I shower in the morning and ride with wet hair under the helmit .. but I have a take me as I am philosphy ... oh and really short hair!

[Marmoot]

I can't go to work looking like a bufoon and I really don't wanna go by bus.

What do you guys suggest?

Definitely ride to work.
I always ride to work, park my bike, walk upstairs, put my shiny helmet on my desk and take off my jacket elegantly in full view of all the female colleagues.
They keep asking about my bike, how it feels to roam free, and the secret of me looking great. Sometimes they smile, wink and come at me just to chat! They got so hung on me and always begs me to give them a good ride, whichever way I want to interpret it.

Too bad I am not fond of 75+ females.

[Monsterbishi]

When I used to do the office thing, just left my ties/shoes/jackets/etc at work.

[Lissa]

Takes me ages to get ready for work when I am riding the bike.

Make sure you hair is dry before putting helmet on, I have long hair, can be a problem when I get to work and my hair looks like a huge fur ball coughed up by the cat.

I take a backpack with my highheels and makeup etc (not that you will need makeup... umm or highheels). Take my bike stuff off, put the shoes and freshen the makeup and I am ready for work!! Lucky I can wear jeans in the office, so no change of clothes necessary until summer!

[slofox]

I have long hair, can be a problem when I get to work and my hair looks like a huge fur ball coughed up by the cat.

Mmwwaaahahahahahaaaaa....great image! +1

[Tank]

Get a office job like mine - it has a really 'low' expectation of dress code - and I fair to reach it.

Hell - 1/2 our office wear shorts and bare feet thru summer.

[centercore]

Whats the price range on that. Im kinda broke ATM.

Should be around 40 bucks for a jacket and the same for pants maybe less. Or a 1 piece is around 100 bucks.

http://www.motorcyclegear.co.nz/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=806&cat=Road%2B%3A%2BRainWear


I also wear a small back pack which is pretty essential.

[Slyer]

Wearing jeans at work rawks!
Today was my first day taking the bike to work, just stuck my corduras over my jeans and t-shirt, easy.

Leaving work was a bit of a bitch though, have to put all the gear back on, wait and wait for the bike to warm up, attempt to ride and then leave to warm up again.
10-15 minutes after everyone else leaves and I'm away... Need to sort that bike out.

[wysper]

Hair gets messed up? Buy a comb. It costs less than $1and fixes your hair in seconds.

If you're really worried, keep a couple of clean shirts and a good pair of trousers at work.


Commuting by bike isn't an issue, and if personal appearance is such a big issue that a comb and having office clothes at work can't fix then you're in the wrong job.

Right on. I used to leave a set of clothes at work, now it us just shoes as I am in a warehousing job and the dress code isn't quite so bad. Short hair now too helps.


I get to work, shed the outer bike gear, fix my hair, put on the stiletto boots and I'm good to go in approx 5 mins.

No problemo...

Now buellbabe, you know very well that without photos it never happened. :woohoo: :corn:

[Oakie]

+2. Fortunately my work's dress code is relaxed enough to allow jeans

We're pretty relaxed at work too. In fact I'm the only one that wears a tie. The only reason I wear a tie though is to stop those cold drafts that sneak down the back of your neck on a cold morning on the ride in. I guess you could say my ties are part of my bike gear as much as my work gear.

[icekiwi]

Now buellbabe, you know very well that without photos it never happened. :woohoo: :corn:

Well we have seen the photo's...
It did happeN....:shit::shit:
Hope it happens again...:soon:...

[wysper]

Well we have seen the photo's...
It did happeN....:shit::shit:
Hope it happens again...:soon:...

Now thats just cruel.
Then again, since I am a married man, perhaps it is best I don't see photos :whistle:

[dwnundabkr]

Now thats just cruel.
Then again, since I am a married man, perhaps it is best I don't see photos :whistle:

now i did not pass this on if the word gets out:laugh:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=98621&d=1213923385

[wysper]

now i did not pass this on if the word gets out:laugh:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=98621&d=1213923385

Don't worry, I won't dob you in :Police:

I can see why Ice wouldn't mind it happening again :soon:

[vifferman]

Leaving work was a bit of a bitch though, have to put all the gear back on, wait and wait for the bike to warm up, attempt to ride and then leave to warm up again.
No you don't have to do that. In fact, you're being kinder to your engine if you start it up, put your gloves and helmet on, then ride off. As long as you don't rev the snot out of it till it's warmed up enough for the thermostat to open, it's actually better to ride it. The oil circulates better with the bike being ridden. :niceone:

[Slyer]

Yeah I'm sure I'll get the hang of it, learn to read the bike and know what she wants. ;)

[Kwaka14]

My suggestion is if you have to wear dress clothes then microfibre is your friend... crease free pants, shirts and suit jacket (if required).

[OutForADuck]

Get changed there and back again to leave.... it takes like 5mins and you will save more than that on the commute.. means you don't have to worry about anything or travel in inappropriate gear :done:

[vifferman]

My suggestion is if you have to wear dress clothes then microfibre is your friend... crease free pants, shirts and suit jacket (if required).
True. :yes:

[imdying]

I just leave a suit and some polished shoes at work for customer work, the rest of the time I kick around in old jeans and tshirts... sometimes I even wear a Yamaha Marlboro top covered in sponsor stickers, the anti smokers love it :D It's getting pretty tatty now though, I'm starting to lose letters etc :'(

If anyone knows where to buy GP sponsor labelled gear, let me know!

[chubby]

I can't add anymore to whats been said but I can reinforce what has been said.

I keep a suit at work (ok all I really need are the pants but the whole thing stays here), ride in a shirt and tie, otherwise its bike jacket, pants and boots and carry my shoes in my bag (aren't sissy bars great things).

As for the extra time to get changed? yes its true but thats the trade off against the cage and really we are only talking 5 minutes. I'd have more issues if I was to bring the bicycle to work.

Its not a tough task if you just think about what you need and the best way of getting it there. Leave the worry to the actual work.

[Kiwi Graham]

I dont have to be suited and booted for work just smart casual. I have a locker at work so keep my shoes in there. I wear kevlar jeans or cordura waterproof pants over my work pants and a cordura jacket and boots. Have had no complaints about appearing creased. Dry your hair before you put your helmet on means no helmet hair issues.

Only problem I have is if it was a really wet ride in. My jacket drys out in the office, I hang my over pants up in the locker room and dry my helmet and boots before putting it in my locker. Usually end up putting wet gloves back on though. :(

[MarkH]

Usually end up putting wet gloves back on though. :(

Why not buy yourself some rain-off overgloves? Those things really do work well to keep your hands warm and dry even in the worst downpour.

[vifferman]

You don't have a PC? The monitors make good glove dryers. :yes:
Alternatively, but some decent gloves (or waterproof overdoofers, as previously mentioned). No-one should have to put up with wet gloves.

[Kiwi Graham]

Why not buy yourself some rain-off overgloves? Those things really do work well to keep your hands warm and dry even in the worst downpour.

Yeah, I've got some but cant be bothered using them for the squirt to work I use them when I'm doing bigger K's. You know what its like when its just a quicky you dont mind getting wet but when you want to go the distance a little protection can help aye :blip:

[puddy]

I had hair once! (Now it just grows out of my ears etc):shutup:

[MarkH]

Yeah, I've got some but cant be bothered using them for the squirt to work I use them when I'm doing bigger K's. You know what its like when its just a quicky you dont mind getting wet but when you want to go the distance a little protection can help aye :blip:

Yeah - in a light shower I don't bother with them. But if it is raining hard enough to make my leather gloves wet then it is worth chucking on the rain-offs - it's not like it takes 2 whole minutes or a ridiculous amount of time like that.

Of course it is a bit easier for me. On my scoot I can fit my waterproof overpants, overjacket and overgloves all under the seat, with enough room left over to fit my helmet & gloves or a couple of bags of groceries. I also have 35 litres of storage in the top box over and above that! :bleh:

But still - if it is raining hard enough to make your gloves wet then it is worth the extra 30 seconds to put the rain-offs over your gloves! Why be uncomfortable wearing wet gloves? You already take the trouble to wear overpants, why should your hands miss out on the luxury of dryness?

[retro asian]

Microfibre pants are the Sh*t babay!!

Can't get creased at all.

[vifferman]

On my scoot I can fit my waterproof overpants, overjacket and overgloves all under the seat, with enough room left over to fit my helmet & gloves or a couple of bags of groceries. I also have 35 litres of storage in the top box over and above that! :bleh:
I spoze there has to be some compensation for riding a scooter... :whistle:

[MarkH]

I spoze there has to be some compensation for riding a scooter... :whistle:

now, now - my scooter is the best city commuter vehicle that I have ever owned. I hardly need something that has a top speed over 200kph for driving around the city, because that isn't legal anyway! It's not like I pass a few cars on the motorway and then look down to see the needle on 150kph :whistle: :innocent: or anything like that. (I definitely didn't experience that yesterday!)

I kinda like having no demerit points, imagine how quickly I could lose my license if I rode a VFR800 every day!