Welcome to the first installment of Bike Commute OOTD! Choosing the best apparel for bike commuting can be a challenge, particularly if you live in a changable climate. In this series of surprise interviews, we’ll check in with staff at Showers Pass HQ to have a look at how they navigate various weather condiditions and challenges their commute presents.
Date: September 11, 2024
Time: 9:30 am
Temp: 58° F / 13° C - Humidity: 73%
Weather forecast: Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High 68F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Employee Name: George
Role: Product Manager
What did you wear to work today?
Apex Tech Tee
Cross Country DWR Shorts
Cloudburst Hoodie
Why did you choose these items?
Comfort! Our office is pretty casual and I don't have anything on my calendar today that would require me to dress more formally.
I run warm, today's high temp is supposed to be around 70 degrees, that's still shorts weather for me. The Cross Country shorts have a stretchy waist that's super comfortable for more casual riding.
Whether I'm wearing them cycling, to the gym, or as a baselayer for another outdoor activity, the Apex shirts are something I wear nearly daily. I've accumulated at least a half dozen over the years. Corespun merino wool is amazing stuff and having a drawer full of it is a pretty nice perk of my job.
The Cloudburst hoodie is great for mild days and for when the weather is changable or uncertain, which is most of the time here in Portland.
What distance is your commute? How long does it take?
My commute is 4 miles and usually takes 15-20 minutes.
What kind of streets and bike infrastructure are on your route?
I mix up my route to keep things fresh or if I need to run errands, but most of the time I’m on streets with conventional bike lanes or or one of Portland's neighborhood greenways.
How comfortable were you on your commute this morning? Would you change anything?
My morning commute starts off mostly downhill, which can be chilly, but I was a little warm by the time I got to work. I might have been slightly more comfortable in a long-sleeved shirt or one of our ultralight wind jackets than a waterproof jacket like the Cloudburst Hoodie. But there’s intermittent rain in the forecast, so I probably wouldn’t do it differently given the opportunity. That’s my favorite thing about this jacket, it’s an easy choice. It’s so soft and breathable that I don’t feel like I made a mistake if I wear it and it doesn’t rain, but I know I’m covered if it does.
What else did you bring with you? How did you carry it?
I brought my commuting essentials (multi-tool, patch kit, mini pump) and my lunch in a Rainslinger Hip Pack.
It’s a Kona Rove NRB that I sometimes call "the green monster". It’s a road bike built around 27.5” mountain bike wheels and tires. The fenders are from our friends over at Portland Design Works. The wide tires are comfortable even on bumpy roads.
