Commuting to a dressy office

[Groundhog]

I normally wear suits or dresses w/heels in a "business dress" environment (as opposed to "business formal" or "business casual"). I have commuted year round at a previous job and during good weather at my current job ~17 miles away. Looking forward to a Sunny Seattle Spring (cross my fingers).

I have a two-wheel-gear brand garment bag pannier which I've used a lot and it's held up well. It attaches easily and firmly to my back rack. twowheelgear dot com I normally put my suit/dress into a drycleaner's plastic bag and then into the pannier, which keeps the wrinkles down and protects from a downpour, as the pannier is water-resistant but not water-proof.

My problem now is that I need to carry my laptop back and forth, so I may have to have a messenger bag in addition or switch to the jandd garment bag pannier, which is one side and a laptop sleeve on the other side of my rack.

[shootingstar]

Don't know your cycling distance, but if short, I would tend to carry the laptop on my back like a knapsack if you are not willing to put computer in a bike rack pannier.

[Melalvai]

I believe they make panniers designed to carry laptops. I know someone who has front panniers for that purpose. Unless I misunderstood him they are designed for laptops. (But it is entirely possible I misunderstood and they are just convenient for his laptop.)

[Groundhog]

I believe they make panniers designed to carry laptops. I know someone who has front panniers for that purpose. Unless I misunderstood him they are designed for laptops. (But it is entirely possible I misunderstood and they are just convenient for his laptop.)

Hmmm front pannier. I wonder if it would interfere with my headlight (on flat bar)? Do you know what brand?

[Melalvai]

I don't know what brand it was. His headlight was on his handlebar.

[SallyRides]

I don't have a long commute - it's only 3.5 miles, BUT that's mostly uphill, so I don't want to wear work clothes and sweat in them. I also am not fond of riding with a back pack, as it seems to limit my rear vision when it sways back and forth as I ride. Anyway, I use smaller, front panniers, on a rear rack to carry my clothes for the day. (I pack my bags the night before.) Most days, I need to carry dress shoes, and appropriate clothing. I roll the clothing to try and avoid wrinkling. I put the shoes in the bottom of the panniers. Once you start planning ahead, it gets easier. There are definitely days when I look out the window and think - WHY am I riding my bike??!! BUT, by the time I get to work, I am always glad that I chose to ride. I start the day in a much better frame of mind. (BTW, there certainly are days when I don't ride. It's a COLD winter here, and during those days, I am in my car.)

SR

[NbyNW]

When I bike commuted, I could put my work clothes in an Eagle Creek packing folder. That fit inside inside a front pannier bag, along with shoes and lunch. One summer I also would go swimming before work so I also fit bathing suit, small towel, toiletries and breakfast (oatmeal in thermos, cup of yogurt, maybe an apple) in there as well. I would also keep shoes at the office with a small toiletry bag & wipes. I used a front pannier bag b/c I was commuting on a folding bike, and the rack was too low for a regular rear pannier.