During March and April I biked all the way in at least once each week, except one. May is Bike Month across the country, with May 18 being Bike to Work Day. I'll be riding the 30 miles from Auburn to Seattle both to and from work that day. Here in Seattle, as part of bike month, we have the Group Health Commute Challenge. I recruited a few people at work to join a team in the Challenge. I've been trying to decide what an appropriate commute would be for me during Bike Month. I feel like, since I bike everyday anyway, I should up my game. I'm thinking ... bike all the way in everyday? Seems ambitious, but it is bike month. I'll give it a shot. I'm off to a slow start, but we had a baby last week so I have a good excuse.
Rack and Panniers
Most people who bike commute need to carry something with them on their bike. Clothes, computer, repair equipment, etc. I bring the following items everyday on my commute:
dress shirt
slacks
socks
belt
tie
towel
shampoo and deodorant
lunch
spare tube and repair kit
first aid kit
(I keep my shoes and suit jackets at work.)
There are different options for getting this kind of stuff to your workplace. The easiest is just throw it all in a backpack. There are a couple of reasons I don't like this. One, it can make your back a lot sweatier. Two, it raises your center of balance and depending on the weight of the pack it can make quick maneuvering more tricky. If you don't bike everyday, you can just bring what you need the day before you bike and leave it at your desk.
What I prefer is to install a rack and use panniers or bike bags to carry everything you need. Your back can breath better and you'll be more comfortable if you have a good amount of stuff to carry. My panniers are waterproof. No matter how hard it is raining or how long I ride, everything inside will stay dry. Not that expensive either, only $50 for a pair. I've used them for trips to the grocery store, running to the mall, or anywhere else I may need to carry some cargo.
For example, yesterday was my anniversary. I've been married six years and got some flowers from Pike Place Market for Heather. I just set the flowers in one of my bike bags, put everything else in my other bag and off I went (my bags are big enough that everything I carry could fit in one bag, but I like to separate my wet towel and lunch from my work clothes.)
Rack and Panniers
Most people who bike commute need to carry something with them on their bike. Clothes, computer, repair equipment, etc. I bring the following items everyday on my commute:
dress shirt
slacks
socks
belt
tie
towel
shampoo and deodorant
lunch
spare tube and repair kit
first aid kit
(I keep my shoes and suit jackets at work.)
There are different options for getting this kind of stuff to your workplace. The easiest is just throw it all in a backpack. There are a couple of reasons I don't like this. One, it can make your back a lot sweatier. Two, it raises your center of balance and depending on the weight of the pack it can make quick maneuvering more tricky. If you don't bike everyday, you can just bring what you need the day before you bike and leave it at your desk.
What I prefer is to install a rack and use panniers or bike bags to carry everything you need. Your back can breath better and you'll be more comfortable if you have a good amount of stuff to carry. My panniers are waterproof. No matter how hard it is raining or how long I ride, everything inside will stay dry. Not that expensive either, only $50 for a pair. I've used them for trips to the grocery store, running to the mall, or anywhere else I may need to carry some cargo.
For example, yesterday was my anniversary. I've been married six years and got some flowers from Pike Place Market for Heather. I just set the flowers in one of my bike bags, put everything else in my other bag and off I went (my bags are big enough that everything I carry could fit in one bag, but I like to separate my wet towel and lunch from my work clothes.)
See they made it just fine. Heather was quite impressed, not just with the beauty of the flowers, but that I somehow managed to bring them home on my bike. I didn't tell her how easy it really was. I'd rather let her stay impressed.
As a side note, for a couple of hours before I left work it rained the hardest I'd seen it rain all year. I was quite worried that they might not make it since I could not seal up my bag.
Anyway OI would like to encourage anyone reading this to participate in Bike to Work Day. Even if you do a hybrid commute (bike/bus or train) that day, get out and experience the joy of cutting the car (or the city bus with a bunch of weirdos on it) out of your commute.
As a side note, for a couple of hours before I left work it rained the hardest I'd seen it rain all year. I was quite worried that they might not make it since I could not seal up my bag.
Anyway OI would like to encourage anyone reading this to participate in Bike to Work Day. Even if you do a hybrid commute (bike/bus or train) that day, get out and experience the joy of cutting the car (or the city bus with a bunch of weirdos on it) out of your commute.
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