Keeping track of all yer stuff!

[shootingstar]

during the first few years of bike commuting, I was quite organized. I packed my work clothes the night before.

Now, I seem to only do that 1/2 of the time.

The worst about 'forgetting', is just before a Labour Day weekend a few years ago, I left behind my house keys which included my bike key locked up in records storage facility (which I am responsible for its security). My bike was locked up at a bike storage facility near a transit train station.

I even turned around and WALKED back to worksite only to discover this dismaying situation. This meant an extra hr. on top of my 1.5 hr. long commute by bus, walk and train.

So guess what I did that weekend? I was so determined not to destroy a holiday weekend...I had to bike to enjoy and not waste vacation time....so I went and bought a new bike.

Admittedly, I had been eyeing the bike for past 3 months in store.

And my first ride on that bike..was 90 kms. on that day. I was truly stoked..!

[jsdilks]

My DH is the one who packs our bags the night before. I get my stuff ready and put it in a tote that goes in the pannier. That being said, we've had two trips with no towel (which we bungee to the top of the center bag), which necessitated the washing of hair in the sink in the locker room and mopping up with paper towels. I have a hair dryer in my bag, so that was all right. And I have extra panty hose in my cabinet at work. I've finally broken down and left a pair of shoes at work to wear - black wedges that take up too much room in the bag. But most days they work fine with my clothes. And it was a good transition since I'm done with the summer flats that took up so little space in the bag. Now we need to work on that lunch thing...can't quite get that worked out yet.

[malkin]

I like shootingstar's problem solving!

[Geonz]

during the first few years of bike commuting, I was quite organized. I packed my work clothes the night before.

Now, I seem to only do that 1/2 of the time.

The worst about 'forgetting', is just before a Labour Day weekend a few years ago, I left behind my house keys which included my bike key locked up in records storage facility (which I am responsible for its security). My bike was locked up at a bike storage facility near a transit train station.

I even turned around and WALKED back to worksite only to discover this dismaying situation. This meant an extra hr. on top of my 1.5 hr. long commute by bus, walk and train.

So guess what I did that weekend? I was so determined not to destroy a holiday weekend...I had to bike to enjoy and not waste vacation time....so I went and bought a new bike.

Admittedly, I had been eyeing the bike for past 3 months in store.

And my first ride on that bike..was 90 kms. on that day. I was truly stoked..!

LOLOL

I love it!!!!

Catalysts rock

[Blue_Wildflower]

Hello Everyone.

I bike to work 2-3x a week. I keep my toiletries, a curling iron, combs, flip flops, an extra cycling shirt, first aid kit, socks and underwear in a backpack. The night before the first ride, I pack 3 days of clothes. I leave the backpack at work and bring it home on the last ride.

When I come home from a ride, I put my road-id bracelet, gloves, shoe pouch (which contains an old id and cash) in my helmet and hang the helmet on my bike. Near where I put my bike is where I store my clothes.

So far, I haven't left anything. Of course, I go through my bag one more time before I leave.

[shootingstar]

I like shootingstar's problem solving!

Instead of buying a gorgeous evening dress and a pair of sexy expensive shoes, we buy a bike.

And blueflower you are so organized. I would have problems bringing and storing changes of work clothes for 3 days. It will looked as if I rolled out of bed since we lack enough storage space to store personal stuff neatly. I leave a dress casual black jacket at work.

Well, it gets abit marked up with.. some smears of construction dust (ooh, sorry. make that a fine soil...)

[Geonz]

I won't go anwhere I can't be wrinkled

[Blue_Wildflower]

I would have problems bringing and storing changes of work clothes for 3 days. It will looked as if I rolled out of bed

I bring fabrics that "wrinkle out" easily. Usually, slacks (some fabric blend, lol) and a knit top. Bringing clothes for the week has helped a lot.

[out_spokin']

After a bunch of forgotten items similar to those listed here, I put together a checklist that lives in a plastic sheet protector near my "prep area", which I'm happy to email to anyone who can open a Word document, PM me if you want it and you can customize away.

I also highly recommend a single bag or removeable insert for work keys/bus pass/etc. that can be moved from bag to bag for non-bike days....another thing that's helped me is to have different colored lightweight plastic bags for each clothing item (striped one gets the shirt, etc.) so I remember to pack one of everything, and it's a nice backup in case of rain, leaking lunch, etc.!

[Kitty Gatita]

Or different pedals. Think dual sided. My commuter has the ones with SPD on one side for when you can find your shoes, flat on the other for when you can't find your shoes or just want to hop on the bike and ride in whatever shoes you have on.

Do tell! What pedals do you have??!!!

[CommuterChick]

I used to keep two fairly wrinkle free outfits at work -- black what-I-call Chico's pants, those travelers pants, a long skirt, two different tops, a black sweater or neutral jacket, a decent bra, and a pair of sandals. In the winter the Chico's pants would work with a layer of Cuddle Duds underneath, and I'd keep a couple of pairs of black tights in a file cabinet drawer, make-up too, and a pair of Danskos or other appropriate shoe under my desk. It was just the underwear that had to make the trip back 'n' forth. After the morning I rode to the Y, swam, then went to change before riding to work and discovered NO UNDIES -- I am now the proud owner of a Pepto-Bismol pink strapless, all that Target had in my size at 8am -- I started keeping an emergency set at the office.

Terry sells this thing they call a bicycle cube for keeping all your stuff together -- plain, deluxe, and recycled deluxe, but I would pack my pannier the night before. I like the checkoff list idea!

And that martini story is the best!

[malkin]

Dress where I work is very casual, so unless I get creamed by paint, playdough, school lunch, or eek! I usually wear the same jeans all week anyway, so it doesn't matter if they spend a few nights in my office file cabinet.

In cases of eek! it might mean a trip home to the laundry immediately.