What to wear to bike to work?

[MsPeacock]

I'll be starting a new job in a couple weeks that is close enough for me to bike to work. I  don't want to bike in my professional clothing for a number of reasons. I ride my fancy road bike regularly for fun - with the clipless pedals and the jersey with pockets and the padded shorts and all that jazz. But that would really be overkill for a 3 1/2 mile ride to work. I'll be riding my other road bike - the trusty heavy one that now has a rack and big back basket, bright front and rear lights, SPD pedals that are large enough to use w/ regular sneakers.

So - summer I figure regular shorts. But after that - how to cope with rain and not arrive at work a complete mess? What about light snow/slush situations? Do you have rain gear for cycling that you like? I snagged a cycling rain coat today (out of the trash - the program I volunteer for was "cleaning up" and tossing bibs, jerseys, and this jacket).

Any recommendations for a light weight water proof bag to haul stuff in?

I'll have a better handle on this once I see my work space (currently under construction) and know what sort of set-up there is for cleaning up from a ride, leaving some clothing at work, etc. .

So incredibly excited to have a job with a bike commute (or I can run to work, or walk, or bus in less than 10 minutes). And I love my new big-ass-bike-basket so much.

[RunningintoFI]

Congrats on the new job with the sweet commute benefits! 

As to your questions, I have gone ultra mustachian when it came to protecting my gear in a bag.  I used a normal backpack and would place plastic bags from the grocery store along the bottom of the backpack to serve as a base of coverage.  Then I used 1-2 bags to put any of my work stuff in so I had extra protection from falling rain.  Has never failed me in 3 years now.  I use extra coverage for laptops or extra sensitive equipment.  This helps me find a reasonable use for plastic bags from grocery stores until I get a chance to return and recycle them. 

With regards to clothes, I wear $40-50 water resistant pants that are light and breathable so they work great for biking, otherwise there are some amazing water proof pants that you can find at army surplus stores that you can wear right over your work clothes!  As for the jacket, I go with something that is water proof with breathability to it. 

On a related note, I am also a big fan of covering my bike seat with a plastic bag anytime I leave it parked outside during the day.  Nothing is more uncomfortable than coming back to your bike and sitting on a soaking wet seat. 

Hope that is helpful!  Understand that these are really cheap solutions that I have used that work for me but odds are you can find other reasonable ways to solve these issues that will have you looking a little more professional.