Commuting - Downtown Commutes

I just finished a 2 day course at a hotel downtown, got to do the urban commute that some of you do - Ride downtown (race the bus all the way there), leave the bike outside locked to a post (take off the seat so it doesn't disappear), get changed in the washroom, fold up the wet cycling stuff and leave it in a bag for the day. During the day constantly look outside to make sure bike is still there.

Then when it's time to go home - Back to the washroom, put on the still wet and slightly smelly bike stuff, fear for your safety from the weirdos hanging around while you unlock your bike and put the seat back on, then race the bus all the way home.

I now appreciate my suburban commute, indoor bike parking and locker and drying space at work so much more!!!

Then when it's time to go home - Back to the washroom, put on the still wet and slightly smelly bike stuff...
I tried that once and decided that no matter what I'd always carry clean shorts and jersey for the ride home. ;)

unlock your bike and put the seat back on, then race the bus all the way home.

I now appreciate my suburban commute, indoor bike parking and locker and drying space at work so much more!!!


I guess it's all what you are used to, but I'll take my chances with a downtown bus or cab over a suburban soccer mom in an SUV any day of the week.

I guess it's all what you are used to, but I'll take my chances with a downtown bus or cab over a suburban soccer mom in an SUV any day of the week.

Agreed - the downtown area is one of the easiest parts of my commute. Most of the drivers know exactly where they are going, and they're also looking to get off the road as soon as possible - as long as you know which parking ramps are the bad ones, you're fine. I like the bus drivers much better than the cabbies, though.

I like the lights better too - they are just on timers, they don't stay open for traffic, so there's less variance. I end up having to stop/trackstand the exact same ones every night, and gun the same ones. When I'm riding in other parts of town, the lights keep changing how long they are on for, and how long the 'don't walk' light blinks - it's frustrating.

Luckily, downtown is just something to ride through on my way to work - then I've got an indoor place to put my bike and it's a printshop, so nobody cares what you look or smell like - there's a ton of ink and chemical smells anyway. It would probably really bite to have to bike to a downtown office then change into a suit and tie everyday...