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07-24-03, 10:00 AM
Today, I finally did it...I bike commuted to work.
Now my "commute" is hardly a workout....takes about 10 minutes across town. But that's one of the reasons I've been thinking about doing it...can't help feeling guilty about firing up the gas burner for such a short trip.
Here's how all of your experiences and tips on this forum worked out for me in "real life":
1. Wrinkled clothing -- The rolling thing actually worked! Carefully rolled my ironed shirt and slacks and put in pannier. No wrinkles!
2. Sweaty mess -- Yes, I sweated as much as I ever do on my bike, which is a lot. But I noticed that after a cooldown period, I was no more sweaty than I get walking from my car to my office on a hot day. A wipe down with wet wipes, fresh cologne, clean clothes...and I'm as comfortable and presentable as I've been on any hot day I came in my car.
The other fears that people express about commuting (riding in traffic, bike storage) were already not problems for me. I'm used to riding around Charlottesville, and the school where I work does not have a problem with me storing my bike inside.
So thanks to you all for your encouragement....took me 2 months from when I first got serious about cycling, but I know this will now be a regular part of my riding experience.
mark
t
Now my "commute" is hardly a workout....takes about 10 minutes across town. But that's one of the reasons I've been thinking about doing it...can't help feeling guilty about firing up the gas burner for such a short trip.
Here's how all of your experiences and tips on this forum worked out for me in "real life":
1. Wrinkled clothing -- The rolling thing actually worked! Carefully rolled my ironed shirt and slacks and put in pannier. No wrinkles!
2. Sweaty mess -- Yes, I sweated as much as I ever do on my bike, which is a lot. But I noticed that after a cooldown period, I was no more sweaty than I get walking from my car to my office on a hot day. A wipe down with wet wipes, fresh cologne, clean clothes...and I'm as comfortable and presentable as I've been on any hot day I came in my car.
The other fears that people express about commuting (riding in traffic, bike storage) were already not problems for me. I'm used to riding around Charlottesville, and the school where I work does not have a problem with me storing my bike inside.
So thanks to you all for your encouragement....took me 2 months from when I first got serious about cycling, but I know this will now be a regular part of my riding experience.
mark
t