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Comment by asynchronous13 | Hacker News Reader

Mostly good tips for someone considering cycle commuting, but I'm disappointed in the "Dress for the Occasion" section. It's easy to ride in jeans and a t-shirt, there is no need for special bike clothes. I've seen this as a barrier to entry so many times in the U.S. Just check out a city like Copenhagen and count how many cyclist are wearing full kit (almost none).

There is some extra comfort in wearing bike specific clothing on longer rides, but don't let that prevent you from getting started.

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Totally agree, as an avid cyclist and commuter in SF. Check his commute, 60mi/6,000ft days are fun, and a hell of a workout! ;) Definitely he's wearing a kit for a reason!

Have you seen this: http://www.sf2g.com/?

I'm somewhere in the middle ground - usually I just shower in the morning and change the T-shirt (I always carry one and have an extra stock at work...). My colleagues swear I cause no olfactory discomfort and that they would tell me if I did (and that's crucial as there is a social taboo about this, and it's harder to feel one's own smell).

I commute every day and I commute in the clothes I wear to work. In the summer, that means shorts and a T-shirt (yay informal tech dress codes).

I don't wear jeans though; I was going through too many of them. I've switched to Prana Brion pants. They look like typical slacks but are stretchier and more robust, and they're comfier than jeans in everyday situations.

Agreed, but jeans are really unattractive at the distances the author is riding. His circumstances are unfortunate, since the set of advice applicable to <5 mile rides is very different to his ~20mile trip.

Related, I'm very impressed by his speed. I ride about 9 miles to and from work and it takes me ~35-40 minutes door to door.

I actually think I am very fortunate TBH. I usually do the 30mi route through Portolla Valley in 1:30-1:45. During the summer it is the perfect commute.

If i go the direct route during rush hours I am faster with the bike than any other means of transport.

Honestly, I am surprised not more people do it. With electric bike now, yiu can be flying. Even at my best effort, i can only keep up with the ebikes for a couple of minutes

To be fair, his ride is 20 miles, wearing jeans 40 miles a day would be very sweaty, and they'll only last a few months before the seat is too worn and they rip.

I ride 2 miles each way, so wearing bike clothes is unnecessary.

Yeah, sorry for this. I definitely meant it in the context of a longer commute. Definitely commute in whatever you want if it's 10-15 min.

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