Commuting - Learning a lesson

I know this lesson well, prepare the night before you head out, so you have all the stuff you need. It is really a lesson I need to put into practice. I have left the house the past three commutes to work without stuff I need, like my head lamp, my helmet, my puncture kit, full water bottles.

I thought I'd covered all the bases yesterday. I got up and got going in a little bit of a rush, got to work in descent times on the fixed gear. Put in my 8 hours and discovered I didn't have my night glasses (clear lens'). But, I had my camera, the charger for my headlamp, and everything else I'd forgotten the past few days.

Is this just forgetfulness? Am I just harried? Poor planning? Other than packing the night before which even though it sounds like a great idea, is difficult for me, as I get home at 2AM, I've ridden 23 miles, I do well to remember to plug in the headlamp so I can see the next night, and eat something, then I'm in bed by 3-3:30. How do you guys handle this?

Funny you should mention this... I forgot to pack a shirt for work today. At this moment I am wearing an electric green Addidas soccer jersey covered by a lab smock instead of my usual dress shirt. I have been attempting to dodge meetings most of the morning and I'm hiding out in the computer lab.

I usually solve this problem by developing a routine. After a while you can pack on auto-pilot.

A checklist might help as well. Mine is typically memorized but it could help to use a written one.

Dan

I leave all the basic stuff (patching kit, pump, lights) in the pannier when I get home. I charge the battery for the light if needed. That way all I have to worry about next morning are my clothes (and possibly the battery), which is quite enough :). I have my battery charger permanently located by my front door, so I usually spot the battery on my way out, even if I had forgotten all about it.

--J

Originally posted by naisme

Is this just forgetfulness? Am I just harried? Poor planning? Other than packing the night before which even though it sounds like a great idea, is difficult for me, as I get home at 2AM, I've ridden 23 miles, I do well to remember to plug in the headlamp so I can see the next night, and eat something, then I'm in bed by 3-3:30. How do you guys handle this?

This is one situation where routine is a good thing, perhaps one of the few. You don't need to pack everything the night before, I don't do this myself. It's OK to just dump everything in a pile when you get home (this is more my style), as long as that pile is always in the same place. It's even better if that pile is in a place where you know you'll see it the next morning.

Originally posted by DanFromDetroit
Funny you should mention this... I forgot to pack a shirt for work today. At this moment I am wearing an electric green Addidas soccer jersey covered by a lab smock instead of my usual dress shirt. I have been attempting to dodge meetings most of the morning and I'm hiding out in the computer lab.

I usually solve this problem by developing a routine. After a while you can pack on auto-pilot.

A checklist might help as well. Mine is typically memorized but it could help to use a written one.

Dan

That's not as bad as when I forgot to bring underpants and had to make do with bikeshorts until lunchtime... I now keep a spare shirt, tie and underwear in a drawer at work.

I have the essentials-patch kit, tube,tools in a seat pack at all times. I keep extra tubes, tools and a flashlight(emergency bike light) and extra bateries in my back pack. All I need to go in the morning is my lunch, water and dress clothes added to my pack and I am ready to go. I keep extra clothing at work.

The only stuff I carry is the "U" lock and my rain gear. The lock and the rain gear stay on the rack. The helmet always hangs from the handlebar. I just hop on and go. That's all I am capable of in the morning anyway.

Paul

I've forgotten a lot of things. One time I forgot to bring in my boots (I was in the military then). I got a friend to friend to carry me home to get them, and on the way the driveshaft fell out out of his truck. Had to call more people to pick us up. Ended up borrowing a car to drive home shoeless to get my boots. But usually its the small things I forget, like a bandana to wipe the sweat off when I stop. Or my cateye glasses mirror. Or my computer.

I keep eveything in my pannier. That way the only thing I can forget is clothing (I to had the problem of no underwear very recently).

I never forget anything, ever! I don't think, um, let's see...I've forgotten if I've forgotten...

:eek:

Of course, I do remember the time I forgot my BELT! You know, the thing that keeps your pants up?!

:rolleyes:

I had a strap that came with my reflective triangle. I put it through my pants loops, and I was good to go!

:thumbup:

(Oh, that's right. I said I never forgot anything! I guess I forgot that...)

I forget almost everything that isn't attached to me. That is why each of my bikes has it's own pump, patch kits, inner tubes (essential since I ride 24", 26" and 700c on the different bikes), tools, emergency blanket, spare light. I keep the batteries on the bikes and the charger is mounted on the wall over the bikes. In the morning I pack my lunch, get my cell phone out of its charger (I clip the phone clip onto the top of my lunch bag to remind me to get it), & hope I remembered my clean underwear & socks!

I've found that I forget a lot less when I pack the night before rather than during the morning rush to get out the door. That said, I do keep an extra shirt at work. It came in handy once this summer when I packed one of my wife's shirts by mistake. If it wasn't for the spare shirt I would have been facing a choice between a sweaty t-shirt, or being the first male manager to try the bare midriff thing. Ugly either way.

Originally posted by Jean Beetham Smith
emergency blanket,

What is the emergency blanket? Why do you need it (whatever it is)?

Originally posted by Max
What is the emergency blanket? Why do you need it (whatever it is)?

This (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=46323&parent_category_rn=4500522) is an emergency blanket. It is very much like the thin silver thing they wrap around you at the end of a marathon. Also it is good for a groundcloth or a (very) temporary shelter. As to why it is needed, He must be biking in remote areas (?), though I don't see other survival type gear in his kit (matches, compass, whistle, etc).

Dan