Last week we took a look at what you'll need to keep your tyres running on your cycle to work.
However it's all well and good though being able to cycle, but if you're wet and cold you might wish that you'd woken up to a puncture and had the perfect excuse to get the bus.
The be prepared ethos of the commuter is as prevalent to the choice of clothing as it is to tyre choice and maintainance. And none more so that the part of you that's got the most contact with your bike. Yup, this is our guide to keeping your arse comfortable, or: choosing commuting shorts and trousers.
Making a daily commute is all about being refreshed. Feeling awake when you get to work and de-stressed when you get home. It's one of the best reasons to cycle to work. But having an uncomfortable ride due to poorly chosen shorts can make the ride miserable. In fact it can go a long way to making sure you don't want to get back on the bike.
First advice? Get padded shorts/underwear and your behind will love you for it. I'm speaking as a convert here, having cycled twenty miles almost every day on non-padded shorts for five months - I was getting, shall we just say uncomfortable and leave it at that? I was recommended Endura Firefly cycling shorts by a colleague and haven't looked back since. Yeah, they're breathable and stretch and (crucially) baggy, but best of all they have an internal pad to protect you. It's what you should be looking for in any cycling shorts or trousers if you have to cycle longer distances or on a regular basis.
Another consideration that regular commuters will have to consider is weatherproofing. Having breathable lightweight shorts is great for sunny days, but here in Britain we seem to be suffering from a sub-tropical weather climate at the moment. Hot and wet conditions means that when you come to put the cycling trousers/shorts back on at the end of the day you really want them to be dry.
Putting on a pair of damp, cold shorts before your ride home is a pretty miserable experience.
Combat this by making sure your trousers or shorts are water resistant - like the Altura Dryline 3/4's or the Montane Featherlite Pants.
The choice is further expanded should you feel comfortable wearing lycra, from a good pair of shorts like the Endura FS260 to some bib knickers like the Altra Reflex. If, like me, your're allergic to the stuff (well most of the time), then you are missing out as these tighter clothes are better performing and will wick moisture away more efficiently.
