Commuting To Work By Bike

I, like most, have been working from home since the start of the pandemic 18-months ago. When my company said we would/could return to the office I was already thinking I would need to get organised for commuting by bike once again.

I have written a post previously when I first started commuting by bike that you can read here and another about cycling at different times of the day that you can read here.

After being at home for so long and not having to get all my bits together for commuting I had forgotten how much organisation was required!

My Commuter Checklist

This is the kit I use for commuting from Essex to London by bike:

• Bike check – night before I check the tyre pressure and that everything is in good working order. I also use my gravel bike for my commute.
• Saddle bag – as with the above I check I have everything I might need should something come up on route (never say the P word!). I have the Ortleib Micro Two bag, which fits in 2 tubes, 2 gas canisters and adaptor, tyre levers and multi tool. Very compact, simple to use and easy to get on and off. The material is waterproof and wipes clean, which is useful as you get a lot of grime pick up during the commute.
• Mud guards or mudflap – I do some solo commuting but used to commute with a friend and now have occasions where I commute with my husband so these are good for riding with others to not shower them in mud and wet but also to stop/limit getting the same on yourself and your bike.
• Overshoes – I don’t use these in the summer months but do for winter and have some custom overshoes from my club that are from BioRacer. I have the tempest material that is thermal lined and the water beads off the material so you have toasty and dry feet!
• Bag – I used to use the KitBrix CityBrix, which was fab but it has been ‘borrowed’ by my husband. I tried using a roll top backpack from Rapha recently but I couldn’t get on with it sadly – I found it didn’t sit just right and when looking around to see if roads were clear to ride across junctions the top corner of the bag was just in the way each time meaning I had to stop to check. I have a new bag, with thanks to Evans Cycles, that is the Osprey Radial backpack, that is very comfortable to use when riding, has a helmet attachment, kickstand for when not being used and keeping the bag upright, rain cover to use when needed, and the option to expand from 26 to 34 litre capacity depending on what is being carried. Very impressed with the Osprey bag so far!
• Lights – I always charge these the night before and again top them up when I get into the office as I am always keen to be safe and seen! I have the Bontrager Ion Pro (front light) and Bontrager Flare (rear light) on my bike.
• ID band – I have a sticker on my helmet but also wear a One Life ID wrist band that has all my emergency details, just in case!
• Jacket – even in summer months as I am up early it can mean a jacket is required. Again I take this as an opportunity to be safe and seen and use a Proviz jacket. The reflective elements are great for the commute. It is waterproof and windproof, which is essential, however, it is not the most breathable – fine whilst wearing but once you stop I find you notice the moisture it has retained, which is not an issue for the commute as I have multiple hours between the commute in and home to allow it to dry/air.
• Kit/helmet – always wear a helmet and kit is dependent on weather. I find a buff is such an undervalued piece of kit, easy to pack and if the weather turns (as it so often does) this can be used in multiple ways!
• Bike computer – not an essential but I always ride with my Wahoo Bolt.

I have a secure bike lock up at work and leave a lock there, as well as leaving toiletries at work so I don’t need to take those back and forth.

Some items mentioned in this post were gifted from Evans Cycles but all opinions are my own.