Tips for bike commuting to work

Try it out on a day you're not working to give yourself an idea of the commute and how long it actually takes you (is it hilly, any bad stretches of road, etc.)

Baby wipes and dry shampoo are a godsend if you can't get a shower.
Leave early and don't bother with makeup until you get to work.

If its less than 10 miles and a relatively easy road, you may be able to just bike in your work clothes (I used to bike my 12 mile commute in a skirt and heels with shorts or leggings underneath).

These girls used to be my favorite bike commuter chicks- they always make it look so easy and glamorous. https://letsgorideabike.wordpress.com/

Enjoy the ride!

Check the forecast.
It could be fine in the morning and lashing rain in the evening, so you're prepared with rain jacket and that kind of stuff.
I send a text to a friend before I go as well in case something happens.
Also it would be good to learn a few things about bike repairs so that if something small happens you can fix it and be on your way and on time. A mini tool bag under the saddle for example would be handy.
After that it all depends the kind of commute you're doing, like is it all suburbia and city streets or like me in rural country roads.

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

Always assume that every car on the road doesn't see you.

^^^This^^^

Echo most of the stuff said so far. You can get lights that plug into USB to recharge so you just plug them into your computer at work if you work a desk job and never worry about dead batteries.

Also if you wear pants, they make little reflective Velcro strips that snug your pant legs up so your right pant doesn’t get caught in the chain, and drivers have a better time seeing you.

I’d also spend some time thinking through carrying stuff a bad bag or backpack will throw off your balance and make even a shorter ride challenging. Panniers are a great solution, or a “real” messenger bag, and finally minimize the junk you carry and your back/balance will thank you. If you don’t already know how, learn to change a tire and perform some basic adjustments. Carry a couple nitrile or latex gloves so if you need to mess with your chain you don’t end up with greasy hands.

I bike commute year-round, but I have to say that I likely would not if I did not have facilities at the office to clean myself up. I used to have a gym membership around the corner, and now I have shower facilities in my office tower, but it is so much nicer to bike when I can just roll out of bed, hop on my bike, then shower and put on my work clothes and not get them all gross from the ride. That way, I can ride hard and give myself a better workout than if I have to keep myself from getting sweaty, and I don't have to worry about which of my clothes are bike-friendly.

I have all sorts of light-up gear for maximum visibility. Front and back lights, spoke lights (I have those clip-on LED ones that make your wheels into all sorts of fun colour patterns), and LED bracelets so my hand signals are seen. I use a messenger bag instead of panniers since I hate having to remove them whenever I park someone unsecured, and it works for me since I can keep my shower stuff and makeup in a locker.

I take a slightly less direct route, so I can use bike trails and bike lanes as much as possible and keep myself out of traffic. A lot of drivers seem to have a vendetta against cyclists, even responsible ones, and I take that saying about not being dead right to heart. If someone in a car cuts me off, swerves into me, turns right on a red light without stopping as I'm going straight on their right, etc., I ride defensively and let them do it and get out of the way because my safety is more important than showing them they're in the wrong. I am not interested in proving a point by my own injury.

Maybe not as relevant at this time of year, but if you're riding in the cold, which I do for much of the year, low-visibility ski goggles are a huge help. They keep my face warmer and my eyelashes from freezing together, I can wear them in the dark (unlike sunglasses) and still see well, and they keep snow out of my eyes. I actually wear all my ski gear on my bike in winter since it's all designed to keep me warm and dry at high speeds in cold weather, so I wear my ski googles and jacket, ski pants, mittens, face mask, etc.

I just noticed that the Cygolite Metro 500 lights are going for 29.99.....that's a steal compared to what I paid a few years ago. They throw out quite a bit of light and have a not so harsh blinking mode that works great at dawn and dusk. They're waterproof and rechargable. I get about 3-4 hours per charge. Very dependable.