Fifty Plus (50+) - 1st Commute (in 25 years?) ...

... or something like that. I guess it doesn't really matter. At any rate, the commute is jut under 6 miles each way, so not too bad for someone trying to get back into shape. Went quite well, auto drivers were respectful, can't complain. Biggest hassle is carrying everything. I am wearing bike shorts/jersey for the ride in, as well as clipless shoes. That means I need to carry extra shoes, change of clothes. There is a shower available at work which is great, but that means also a towel, deodorant, etc.

I had a couple thoughts ... light chino type pants instead of jeans, leave a pair of shoes in my office. I am sure other stuff will be figured out, just the 1st ride.

All in all, a nice ride!

Congrats! You might want to consider taking a weeks worth of clothing, etc. in by car just one day per week. That used to work for me.

Congratulations. :beer;

Leave work shoes at work rather than carrying them back and forth.

Now go to the Commuting forum for more suggestions and info.

I started a couple of weeks ago. It's about 10 miles round trip and it's going well so far. I leave shoes and belt at the office and take a supply of pants in once a week. Shirt, towel and other stuff go in the trunk bag on my rack.

+1 or 2 on the congratulations...I may do some 'commuting' ...I don't have far to go so may not need the change of clothes. Can't do the bike all the time though cause of distances after I 'get to work'... Hope you find your nitch in what you need here and there.

Good suggestions everyone. I don't think I have a weeks worth of pants clean at any point in time right now. I have been losing a lot of weight, and having a hard time staying in the right size ... mind you I am not complaining. :)

I will zip over to the Commuting forum as well for suggestions, etc.. The 50+ seems most like "home" though.

I did not bike in today, as thunderstorms this afternoon, and errands to run. I find I am banking the errands as much as possible and saving them for rainy days.

Thanks all for the encouragement as well!

Great! You can leave toiletries and a towel at your office, in addition to work shoes. Driving once a week with all your work clothes is also a good way to do it.

You lucky devil. 6 to 10 miles is the ideal daily commute distance- Wish I could get that. And as to the clothing- Spare set at work and hang the Cycling duds up to air for the trip home- And make certain you have plenty of shorts available- Or wash them daily.

You lucky devil. 6 to 10 miles is the ideal daily commute distance- Wish I could get that. And as to the clothing- Spare set at work and hang the Cycling duds up to air for the trip home- And make certain you have plenty of shorts available- Or wash them daily.

Agreed, you are lucky! Don't know about the "devil" part, so I'll leave that to Stepfam :)!

Every job I'd had, from '68 through late '99 I was able to bike-commute to work. Starting at the turn of the century I began a job in a very bad (read "gang-controlled") section of Los Angeles. I love the job, it's all good, with the big EXCEPT everyone, and I mean everyone without exception, tells me I'd be taking my life into my hands (or worse :eek:) if I tried to ride a bike on the streets in this area.

Not that I don't see occasional riders, but at least they're the right color for the neighborhood, whereas I would stand out like the proverbial sore thumb (or worse). Even the most ardent bike-commute evangelists tell me "Don't do it!" So I don't.

But I do envy those of you who can!

Rick / OCRR

That's a bummer about riding through tough areas! Not sure I would be up for that, fortunately not an issue here. I ended the week with 3 days of commuting. I was pretty happy with that. I expect it will be similar this week. I drove the car in today, as they are predicting heavy rain, originally some thunderstorms too. I am thinking light rain OK, thunderstorms no.

I should probably leave a spare change of clothes in my office. I am worried that someday I will forget something, and spend the day in bike shorts and a jersey. :)