I've somehow managed to misplace my cyclocomputer. It's making me really sad. So ironic that I removed it from the bike so it wouldn't get stolen and then I go and lose it on my own.
Today was overcast and rainy. I don't know why people are so adverse to riding in the rain. It's really not that bad. The wind is almost always much worse than the rain. When I got home, I was soaked, but that's not such a big deal.
The biggest challenge is that people don't seem as aware of cyclists when the weather is bad. That was certainly frustrating today. Even my bright yellow jacket didn't seem to help people see me.
HOpefully the cyclocomputer will show up...for now I'll have to be patient.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Windy ride
I managed to beat the rain home but it was certainly getting windy this evening. Also there was a cubs game today. I wish they didn't have to be so obnoxious. I think I may be developing a phobia of people in blue and red shirts.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Wednesday Morning
I sure was running late this morning! I made it to work now. I may get showered upon on the way home. I'm kind of looking forward to it!
Shopping by bike
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Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Labor Day and Tuesday Morning
On Labor Day I took a short ride over to Rogers Park and helped a friend move for a bit. On the way back I talked to some guys who were on their way back from a ride to Highland Park. I don't think that they really approved of me biking around town with a pannier. Silly them.
Later Zach and I rode to a BBQ. I practiced riding no handed. I have a ways to go.
This morning's ride wasn't too eventful. There were lots of kids walking to school this morning and there did seem to be more traffic on the roads. I wonder how many parents still take a short drive to take their kids to school? Is that a contributing factor to all the congestion?
I can't wait for the ride home tonight....or may I just can't wait to leave work!
Later Zach and I rode to a BBQ. I practiced riding no handed. I have a ways to go.
This morning's ride wasn't too eventful. There were lots of kids walking to school this morning and there did seem to be more traffic on the roads. I wonder how many parents still take a short drive to take their kids to school? Is that a contributing factor to all the congestion?
I can't wait for the ride home tonight....or may I just can't wait to leave work!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday Ride: Just recreational
Yesterday, I went for a short ride with a friend. The ride was really nothing special, but we did see a guy pulled over on McCormack St. My friend noted that one of the officers had unholstered his gun and was keeping behind his bike. I noted that the guy was black. Coincidence?
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday Evening: Critical Mass
Just woke up from a great night. Last night was Critical Mass, a bike ride which occurs on the last Friday of the month in cities around the world. It's free to participate and there isn't an organizational structure to the Mass. If you want to lead, then you make a map, or get in front and lead the people. The Chicago Critical Mass is pretty popular and in warmer months attracts thousands of cyclists.
Many serious cyclists are anti-Critical Mass because they feel that it reinforces stereotypes that cyclists are fringe, law-breaking assholes who don't care about who they inconvenience and who have no problem fueling animosity between cyclists and non-cyclists and motorists. I totally get that and I myself feel a little conflicted.
I've thought it over and I feel a little differently about the matter. Critical Mass doesn't have a specific agenda. So you can make it whatever you want for it to be. I think it's a great way of showing that bikes are fun and they can get you anywhere you want to go. It's especially effective when we go to neighborhoods that I don't usually visit. The people there are always excited to see all the bikes ride by.
I definitely like to play up the fun factor. I decorate my helmet with balloons and it's really great fun. It brings a smile to people's faces and it really just looks cool. Bonus points for making yourself more visible and being able to find your group in a crowded area.
After work, I met my friend Lisa in Daley Plaza and set to work customizing her bike. I'll look for pictures of it later. It looked good. I then did my helmet and fulfilled my promised Bike Salute for Dubi Kaufmann for his Bike Salute project:
After customizing the helmets of Zach (my boyfriend) and his brother, it was time to take off from the plaza.
We were all in front for the first couple of miles or so. I saw my friends Colleen and Dana on the sidewalk. Lots of people got a kick out of our helmets. I wanted to fall back so we could see more people, so we did. I talked to some guys who were biking from LA to NYC. I was impressed.
I saw some more people whom I had met on previous rides including John Greenfield and Ellen and some other assorted people from The Chain Link.
We made it to the final destination: Garfield Park. After milling about a bit, we took off to Lisa's place and ordered a pizza. The way home was great. It's always fun to ride around with the balloon helmets without the mass.
What a great night!
Many serious cyclists are anti-Critical Mass because they feel that it reinforces stereotypes that cyclists are fringe, law-breaking assholes who don't care about who they inconvenience and who have no problem fueling animosity between cyclists and non-cyclists and motorists. I totally get that and I myself feel a little conflicted.
I've thought it over and I feel a little differently about the matter. Critical Mass doesn't have a specific agenda. So you can make it whatever you want for it to be. I think it's a great way of showing that bikes are fun and they can get you anywhere you want to go. It's especially effective when we go to neighborhoods that I don't usually visit. The people there are always excited to see all the bikes ride by.
I definitely like to play up the fun factor. I decorate my helmet with balloons and it's really great fun. It brings a smile to people's faces and it really just looks cool. Bonus points for making yourself more visible and being able to find your group in a crowded area.
After work, I met my friend Lisa in Daley Plaza and set to work customizing her bike. I'll look for pictures of it later. It looked good. I then did my helmet and fulfilled my promised Bike Salute for Dubi Kaufmann for his Bike Salute project:
After customizing the helmets of Zach (my boyfriend) and his brother, it was time to take off from the plaza.
We were all in front for the first couple of miles or so. I saw my friends Colleen and Dana on the sidewalk. Lots of people got a kick out of our helmets. I wanted to fall back so we could see more people, so we did. I talked to some guys who were biking from LA to NYC. I was impressed.
I saw some more people whom I had met on previous rides including John Greenfield and Ellen and some other assorted people from The Chain Link.
We made it to the final destination: Garfield Park. After milling about a bit, we took off to Lisa's place and ordered a pizza. The way home was great. It's always fun to ride around with the balloon helmets without the mass.
What a great night!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday Morning: almost no stops
One of the things I challenge myself to do on my commute is to try to not come to a complete stop. It makes it more entertaining for me.
Today I made it from the intersection onto Lawrence by my place all the way to Ohio and Wells downtown without having to put my foot down.
For some reason that gives me quite a bit of satisfaction.
Today I made it from the intersection onto Lawrence by my place all the way to Ohio and Wells downtown without having to put my foot down.
For some reason that gives me quite a bit of satisfaction.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
My first collision
Well, it has finally happened to me, and I am certainly feeling pretty lucky.
I was biking down Lincoln and going at a good clip towards the light at Diversey. I see a black SUV parking and it looks like it's finished, so I'm keeping on going. There's a line of cars waiting for the light, but the bike lane is clear other than the parked car. I approach the car and at some point when I was really close, it pulls back out into the bike lane. By this point I'm between the SUV and there's another car approaching the light. I manage to swerve and break, but I start fishtailing and my thighs brush against both cars...I think. I also feel the back of my bike hit something. I'm still going forward and fortunately I have the presence of mind to unclip from my pedals and I'm able to come to a stop.
I check to make sure I'm okay and the bike is okay. It seems that it was just my rack that hit the car and it's fine.
I went back and I think I was pretty calm. I was definitely shaking and probably talking ridiculously fast. The lady was really concerned and didn't care at all about the scratch on the car. She said that she was going to be a lot more careful. She even offered to have me go and get a manicure with her at the salon, which I guess was her destination. SInce I was okay, I declined and biked home.
Now I'm realizing how much I really lucked out. It's not very often that one can come away from an incident and have it be the suv that is damaged more than the bike. I'll probably be a little more careful when threading the needle.
At least I know my reflexes work. Yay for instincts.
I was biking down Lincoln and going at a good clip towards the light at Diversey. I see a black SUV parking and it looks like it's finished, so I'm keeping on going. There's a line of cars waiting for the light, but the bike lane is clear other than the parked car. I approach the car and at some point when I was really close, it pulls back out into the bike lane. By this point I'm between the SUV and there's another car approaching the light. I manage to swerve and break, but I start fishtailing and my thighs brush against both cars...I think. I also feel the back of my bike hit something. I'm still going forward and fortunately I have the presence of mind to unclip from my pedals and I'm able to come to a stop.
I check to make sure I'm okay and the bike is okay. It seems that it was just my rack that hit the car and it's fine.
I went back and I think I was pretty calm. I was definitely shaking and probably talking ridiculously fast. The lady was really concerned and didn't care at all about the scratch on the car. She said that she was going to be a lot more careful. She even offered to have me go and get a manicure with her at the salon, which I guess was her destination. SInce I was okay, I declined and biked home.
Now I'm realizing how much I really lucked out. It's not very often that one can come away from an incident and have it be the suv that is damaged more than the bike. I'll probably be a little more careful when threading the needle.
At least I know my reflexes work. Yay for instincts.
Thursday Morning: No Scrubs
So, this morning I was thinking about the TLC song No Scrubs. You know:
I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holler at me
I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holler at me
Well, I wasn't being hollered at, but I sure got held up by some idiots cruising down the street yelling at girls on the sidewalk. I tried to pass them, but there was oncoming traffic...and I felt a little ogle coming my way. Come on! It's 8 am, save it for the evening guys!
Other sights: A dog going after a squirrel when his owner seemed a little unprepared for the morning walk; three uniformed school kids looking really sad at having to go back to school and one mom seeming pretty frustrating at having to get them going.
The ride was nice. I hit most of my lights, though I always feel like kind of a jerk when I pass faster riders who get to lights when they are still red. I always coast or slowly approach a red light so I can get going again without having to actually stop. Invariably I pass someone who went fast the entireway to the light, but then had to stop. I try to reason that they just need to learn the routes better. The lights are on timers people!
I saw one of my co-workers on the way in. I just said hi since i needed to get to work and shower and she was alreay dressed for work. Today was humid, and I was sweating buckets getting ready in my apartment...so I decided a shower was necessary today. I'm guesing that pretty soon it will be cool enough for me to do all my showering at home and skipping the at-work rinse.
I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holler at me
I don't want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend's ride
Trying to holler at me
Well, I wasn't being hollered at, but I sure got held up by some idiots cruising down the street yelling at girls on the sidewalk. I tried to pass them, but there was oncoming traffic...and I felt a little ogle coming my way. Come on! It's 8 am, save it for the evening guys!
Other sights: A dog going after a squirrel when his owner seemed a little unprepared for the morning walk; three uniformed school kids looking really sad at having to go back to school and one mom seeming pretty frustrating at having to get them going.
The ride was nice. I hit most of my lights, though I always feel like kind of a jerk when I pass faster riders who get to lights when they are still red. I always coast or slowly approach a red light so I can get going again without having to actually stop. Invariably I pass someone who went fast the entireway to the light, but then had to stop. I try to reason that they just need to learn the routes better. The lights are on timers people!
I saw one of my co-workers on the way in. I just said hi since i needed to get to work and shower and she was alreay dressed for work. Today was humid, and I was sweating buckets getting ready in my apartment...so I decided a shower was necessary today. I'm guesing that pretty soon it will be cool enough for me to do all my showering at home and skipping the at-work rinse.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday Evening
After work, I biked over to my swing dance class in the West Loop. It's so much easier than having to figure out public transit to areas that aren't exactly close to el stations.
Later that same night I took Halsted up to Lincoln. Wow, there was a lot of broken glass on the street? Did I miss some kind of celebration where you throw bottles at the ground? Is this guerrilla warfare against cyclists? I know one street that is in need of a street cleaning.
When I almost was up to Lincoln, I heard squealing tires and almost witnessed an accident after a car almost blew a stop sign. No collision, but it certainly made me scared for a moment.
My arrival onto Lincoln Ave is always kind of like coming home. I know that street. Those lights. Those cabs parked in the bike lane. Aw.
One sad note. I didn't make it though the light at Irving and Lincoln, I had to stop, so I rolled by the bus shelter and was surprised to see a cat laying at the stop. Dead of course. Poor thing even had a collar. Poor thing. It kind of reminded me of my cat, Napoleon.
Here's a salute to the fallen.
Later that same night I took Halsted up to Lincoln. Wow, there was a lot of broken glass on the street? Did I miss some kind of celebration where you throw bottles at the ground? Is this guerrilla warfare against cyclists? I know one street that is in need of a street cleaning.
When I almost was up to Lincoln, I heard squealing tires and almost witnessed an accident after a car almost blew a stop sign. No collision, but it certainly made me scared for a moment.
My arrival onto Lincoln Ave is always kind of like coming home. I know that street. Those lights. Those cabs parked in the bike lane. Aw.
One sad note. I didn't make it though the light at Irving and Lincoln, I had to stop, so I rolled by the bus shelter and was surprised to see a cat laying at the stop. Dead of course. Poor thing even had a collar. Poor thing. It kind of reminded me of my cat, Napoleon.
Here's a salute to the fallen.
Wednesday Morning
I'm really loving the cool weather that we are having this August. The wind wasn't bad this morning, which makes it easy.
I took my normal route, but I saw a couple of new characters.
One was an older gentleman who was quite the rider! He had a very good, fast cadence, which is something I'm working on developing. He said good morning at the light at Addison and then I breezed by him...but lo and behold! He caught up and we stayed together until Lincoln turned into Wells and he got kind of confused...it must have been a new commute for him. So I told him that it was in fact Wells and then I hurried up so I could make it through the light at North and didn't see him again for the rest of the ride.
So, I made it through the light and I'm enjoying the ride for a couple of blocks and I go up to pass a guy who was already dressed for work. I say "on your left" and pass and look back to make sure that I can safely take the bike lane and I see that it's actually someone I know! It's Chris.
Chris is a guy who's in my concert band. He had used to ride a lot, but then he said he was too old for it. It was so great to see him back on the bike. I slowed up and chatted a bit. However, I was running late and today was a day I planned to shower at work, so I had to take off. I'll be looking for him in the future.
Today was definitely an A+ ride.
I took my normal route, but I saw a couple of new characters.
One was an older gentleman who was quite the rider! He had a very good, fast cadence, which is something I'm working on developing. He said good morning at the light at Addison and then I breezed by him...but lo and behold! He caught up and we stayed together until Lincoln turned into Wells and he got kind of confused...it must have been a new commute for him. So I told him that it was in fact Wells and then I hurried up so I could make it through the light at North and didn't see him again for the rest of the ride.
So, I made it through the light and I'm enjoying the ride for a couple of blocks and I go up to pass a guy who was already dressed for work. I say "on your left" and pass and look back to make sure that I can safely take the bike lane and I see that it's actually someone I know! It's Chris.
Chris is a guy who's in my concert band. He had used to ride a lot, but then he said he was too old for it. It was so great to see him back on the bike. I slowed up and chatted a bit. However, I was running late and today was a day I planned to shower at work, so I had to take off. I'll be looking for him in the future.
Today was definitely an A+ ride.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Perimeter Ride
I've had some biking epiphanies lately and so I hereby am recommitting myself to updating this blog.
About my recent cyclying activities: I recently participated in the 7th annual Perimeter Ride, let by the amazing John Greenfield. This ride started at the Hollywood Grille on North and Ashland and went around the general perimeter of the city.
What a ride it was! Over 60 people started the ride and it looked like there were about 30 when I broke off to head home.
So, meeting the wonderful people there led me to desire to start getting more serious about the biking thing. So I'm going to do some century rides.
I also recently hit the 1000 mile mark on my new bike. I got it on May 20, 2008 and hit the bike one oh oh oh on August 20, 2008.
Anyway, my new commitment is just going to be to write about my rides, be in commute, recreational, training or whatever. Sometimes it may be boring, sometimes it may be interesting, but it will get me writing. Here goes!
About my recent cyclying activities: I recently participated in the 7th annual Perimeter Ride, let by the amazing John Greenfield. This ride started at the Hollywood Grille on North and Ashland and went around the general perimeter of the city.
What a ride it was! Over 60 people started the ride and it looked like there were about 30 when I broke off to head home.
So, meeting the wonderful people there led me to desire to start getting more serious about the biking thing. So I'm going to do some century rides.
I also recently hit the 1000 mile mark on my new bike. I got it on May 20, 2008 and hit the bike one oh oh oh on August 20, 2008.
Anyway, my new commitment is just going to be to write about my rides, be in commute, recreational, training or whatever. Sometimes it may be boring, sometimes it may be interesting, but it will get me writing. Here goes!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wimpy me
I took a couple of months off from biking...December, January and February. I biked a bit in March, more in April, a little more in May and now that it's June I'm back to biking just about every day to work.
Speaking of work I have a new job. I'm actually spoiled now, the new job actually has a free gym with showers for employees. While it isn't necessary to shower on site, it is very nice.
I also have a new bike. I splurged and got myself a brand new touring road bike. It's a Jamis Aurora and I'm loving it. I probably won't do any long trips this summer, but next summer I'm hoping to maybe take a week long biking and camping trip. As of now the bike is making a great commuter. Check it out:
Happy riding to all!
Speaking of work I have a new job. I'm actually spoiled now, the new job actually has a free gym with showers for employees. While it isn't necessary to shower on site, it is very nice.
I also have a new bike. I splurged and got myself a brand new touring road bike. It's a Jamis Aurora and I'm loving it. I probably won't do any long trips this summer, but next summer I'm hoping to maybe take a week long biking and camping trip. As of now the bike is making a great commuter. Check it out:
Happy riding to all!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Camraderie!
Now that it's starting to get colder, the wheat is really getting separated from the chafe in terms of biking culture. Everyone is now so friendly! I suppose that challenging events bring people together and when your ride is a challenge, people with similar experiences band together.
In the past month I've met several friendly bikers:
1. While biking into 30 mph headwind another woman and i shared conversation and sweat while we struggled to get home. It was good times, we're planning on riding together some other time.
2. Several instances of gear talk: where did you get those shoes? Earmuffs? Gloves?
3. I finally met one of the other people who uses the bikeroom in my building. He also showed me a secret trail that is going to come in very handy.
4. This morning I met some folks who live 2 blocks away from me and who do the same commute. It was very nice. I'll have to look for them again.
I suppose that when you're biking and you see someone else biking you know that you have something in common and it's easier to start conversations.
Yay again for biking!
In the past month I've met several friendly bikers:
1. While biking into 30 mph headwind another woman and i shared conversation and sweat while we struggled to get home. It was good times, we're planning on riding together some other time.
2. Several instances of gear talk: where did you get those shoes? Earmuffs? Gloves?
3. I finally met one of the other people who uses the bikeroom in my building. He also showed me a secret trail that is going to come in very handy.
4. This morning I met some folks who live 2 blocks away from me and who do the same commute. It was very nice. I'll have to look for them again.
I suppose that when you're biking and you see someone else biking you know that you have something in common and it's easier to start conversations.
Yay again for biking!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The things she carried.
After having several flat tires last week (darn you invisible piece of glass!) I was grateful for my over-prepared streak. When I bike I usually always bring at least one pannier with me. In that one pannier I have several handy gadgets.
First off, I always carry equipment to fix a flat:
tire levers
mini pump
spare tube
patch kit
tire pressure gauge
Then I also have a little bike multi-tool:
several hex keys
a chain tool
3 sizes of spoke keys
Screw drivers
other stuff that I don't know how to use yet.
I also have a regular handy tool:
pliers
knife
fish scaler????
Other handy stuff that I'm sure will come in handy
And the following general stuff:
hand sanitizer
Mini-first aid kit
map
ID
Bus pass
credit card
a little bit of cash
cell phone
Most of the following goes into a separate zippered pocket of my pannier.
Ain't nothing going to faze me!
First off, I always carry equipment to fix a flat:
tire levers
mini pump
spare tube
patch kit
tire pressure gauge
Then I also have a little bike multi-tool:
several hex keys
a chain tool
3 sizes of spoke keys
Screw drivers
other stuff that I don't know how to use yet.
I also have a regular handy tool:
pliers
knife
fish scaler????
Other handy stuff that I'm sure will come in handy
And the following general stuff:
hand sanitizer
Mini-first aid kit
map
ID
Bus pass
credit card
a little bit of cash
cell phone
Most of the following goes into a separate zippered pocket of my pannier.
Ain't nothing going to faze me!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Apology to the Bicycling gods
Okay...okay, okay, I'm sorry! Please be kind to me now. I know that I shouldn't do the cheating 5 -point cross at 6 way intersections. I KNOW that you hate that....I know it's illegal, but I was in a hurry. I just did it once!
Did you really need to banish my pedal cover from my pedal? Did you really need to lose the screw from my other pedal? Did you really, really, NEED to give me a flat tire?
I'm sorry bicycling Gods...I'll try not to offend again.
(at least you gave me an excuse for being late too work...at least you're not all bad.)
Did you really need to banish my pedal cover from my pedal? Did you really need to lose the screw from my other pedal? Did you really, really, NEED to give me a flat tire?
I'm sorry bicycling Gods...I'll try not to offend again.
(at least you gave me an excuse for being late too work...at least you're not all bad.)
Monday, October 15, 2007
Load up!!
I was recently talking to a friend about how to carry stuff on a bike. My favorite way is definitely with my panniers...though panniers may not be for everyone.
These are my panniers:
They really aren't very fancy and they cost more than I would have liked, but they really are an investment.
I usually take one pannier with me to work...in there i can fit a change of clothes, lunch, random stuff and various tools in case I have to make a repair.
If I want to go shopping by bike, with two panniers I really don't have to worry about how I'm going to transport it. If I pack smart I can fit lots and lots and lots of stuff in in two bags and then for bulky items, I still have the top of my rack. I just remember to always have my bungie cords with me wherever I go.
If you're just getting using your bike for errands or commuting, the classic milk crate works, though it can get in the way of pedaling. Back when I was using the crate I kind of trimmed it a bit so that my legs wouldn't hit it. Mike crates are ugly but they definitely do the job.
These are my panniers:
They really aren't very fancy and they cost more than I would have liked, but they really are an investment.
I usually take one pannier with me to work...in there i can fit a change of clothes, lunch, random stuff and various tools in case I have to make a repair.
If I want to go shopping by bike, with two panniers I really don't have to worry about how I'm going to transport it. If I pack smart I can fit lots and lots and lots of stuff in in two bags and then for bulky items, I still have the top of my rack. I just remember to always have my bungie cords with me wherever I go.
If you're just getting using your bike for errands or commuting, the classic milk crate works, though it can get in the way of pedaling. Back when I was using the crate I kind of trimmed it a bit so that my legs wouldn't hit it. Mike crates are ugly but they definitely do the job.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Fall Weather
I'm so happy that fall is here. It truly is my favorite time of the year and it makes biking so much more enjoyable.
Summer is nice and all that but the Chicago humidity really takes a number on cyclists. Fall...now that's a great season. The air is crisp, the trees are changing colors and road construction starts to wind down.
Biking in cool weather really is a treat. I find that my body produces so much heat when cycling that a long sleeve shirt is more than enough until it reaches 45 degrees.
I recently purchased this jacket from REI:
It's been pretty effective in the few times that I've used it. Now I just need the weather to cool down so that I can wear it a little more.
Do you hear that fall? Cool down already!!
Summer is nice and all that but the Chicago humidity really takes a number on cyclists. Fall...now that's a great season. The air is crisp, the trees are changing colors and road construction starts to wind down.
Biking in cool weather really is a treat. I find that my body produces so much heat when cycling that a long sleeve shirt is more than enough until it reaches 45 degrees.
I recently purchased this jacket from REI:
It's been pretty effective in the few times that I've used it. Now I just need the weather to cool down so that I can wear it a little more.
Do you hear that fall? Cool down already!!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Progress
A couple of months ago I discovered that the building that I work in has a bike room. I've pretty much stopped using my bike station membership and am now just biking straight to work and getting changed.
Lets look at the different ways of looking presentable once you get to work after a nice bike ride:
1. Ride in your work clothes and try to prevent working up a sweat. This would work well if you have a short commute, a comfy bike, good weather and enough time. If you can avoid breaking a sweat this would probably work pretty well. It would certainly be faster than most cab rides.
2. Ride in other clothes and get changed at the office. You'd also have the option of maybe drying off once you get to work. This is what I do now. I wear regular gym clothes and carry my clothes in my panniers. I haven't had too many issues with wrinkly clothes and when I start out riding clean find that I usually arrive clean too. I'm finding this to be very efficient.
3. Ride in other clothes, shower at destination and put on work clothes. I did this for my first 3 months of commuting. If you have showers at your work, or at a nearby gym or at a dedicated facility this is certainly nice. When I did it, I just counted on not being clean when I got on the bike in the morning. The negatives for me were that I had to lug more stuff with me and it was a bit of a walk from my office building to the bike station I used. It's a nice option to have, I just wish it had been a bit more convenient for me.
Of course, if you work somewhere that doesn't require office clothes it's even easier and you can work up a nice sweat and not worry about anything.
Lets look at the different ways of looking presentable once you get to work after a nice bike ride:
1. Ride in your work clothes and try to prevent working up a sweat. This would work well if you have a short commute, a comfy bike, good weather and enough time. If you can avoid breaking a sweat this would probably work pretty well. It would certainly be faster than most cab rides.
2. Ride in other clothes and get changed at the office. You'd also have the option of maybe drying off once you get to work. This is what I do now. I wear regular gym clothes and carry my clothes in my panniers. I haven't had too many issues with wrinkly clothes and when I start out riding clean find that I usually arrive clean too. I'm finding this to be very efficient.
3. Ride in other clothes, shower at destination and put on work clothes. I did this for my first 3 months of commuting. If you have showers at your work, or at a nearby gym or at a dedicated facility this is certainly nice. When I did it, I just counted on not being clean when I got on the bike in the morning. The negatives for me were that I had to lug more stuff with me and it was a bit of a walk from my office building to the bike station I used. It's a nice option to have, I just wish it had been a bit more convenient for me.
Of course, if you work somewhere that doesn't require office clothes it's even easier and you can work up a nice sweat and not worry about anything.
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