For starters, you could plan to carpool on days where the forecast calls for rain, at least until you feel prepared. And you won't have to worry about riding in the winter for 6 months - one thing at a time! Just know that it's definitely possible, especially for <3 miles and with the option to carpool if the roads get too icy.
But as for preparing for rain:
- Keeping extra clothes and a towel at the office is a good idea. Make sure to include shoes and socks.
- I have a rain jacket and pants, similar to this, and honestly they work well enough that I haven't bothered putting on fenders yet.
- You'll also want a waterproof bag for whatever stuff you're carrying back and forth with you.
- I just let my hair get wet and then put it up in a bun, but I'd imagine you could easily wear a shower cap under your helmet to keep it dry.
- Get some good lights for visibility on the roads - but you'll want those regardless of the weather.
Source: For the last year I've been doing what you're considering doing. I bike the 3.5 miles to work almost every day, but on the worst weather days FH goes slightly out of his way to drop me off and pick me up. It's been working great for us!
Thanks aetherie, I didn't even think about shoes and socks!
When I said thick hair, I mean thick hair. I've been charged extra to get it cut because there's so much. I can't even get it into a pony tail when it's wet because it's too heavy and the water adds thickness and the bands break (my cats love me because they're always tons of broken hairbands around). I'll have to practice bun-making (it's so thick it's even hard to put in a bun but part of that is my ineptitude at doing anything with my hair) to see if that might help. I was thinking maybe a cheap hairdryer at work but I don't know if there are outlets in the bathroom... I'll have to look. I don't mind getting rained on on my way home as long as it's not cold, just need to make sure I still look professional while at work
What about a single braid down the back? That's one of my go-to "professional-looking" styles and it works great with wet hair (assuming you could get a hairband around the end of the braid).
Also there should definitely be outlets in the bathroom. I'm pretty sure that's standard.
I haven't mastered that one either...I really am incompetent when it comes to doing anything with my hair. Another thing I need to practice :)
And it sure seems like there should be outlets but I don't remember seeing any
I have also had long, thick, wavy/curly hair. Currently, it's short, but I understand the dilemma. Start with a good haircut. Go to a decent salon. The stylist should both shorten and "thin" your hair. There are various ways of thinning, but they're pretty much all good. When I get my haircut I don't care how much shorter she cuts it, but I do let her know I want it to be smaller. She thinks I'm hilarious ;-)
Then, make sure you're using enough conditioner. Even with shorter, thinned hair I use a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner, plus a leave in anti-frizz type cream. For my daughters (whose hair is longer) we also use an oil-based detangling spray. Dry hair is frizzy hair and curly hair tends to be more dry than straight hair.
When you bike in on rainy days, make sure your hair is in a low bun or braid. This will keep it from getting really wet. You could also wear a thin toque under your helmet or get a lycra helmet cover. When you get to work, you may need to redo the updo if it's gotten messy.
Holy crap, I can't believe I wrote all that. I almost sound like a real girl.
