caloso

It usually takes me 20 minutes to ride to the country, depending on traffic. It's not great, but it's not terrible either. I just consider it a warmup.

TheCannon

To each his own.

crowrj

When I first began commuting I occasionally forgot items. Even when I remembered them all I felt like I didn't. Eventually I just counted them up. Seven items in the backpack, three out the door (backpack, trunk bag w/ lunch, helmet). It makes it easy to know when something essential is missing. After a few weeks it is just routine. For a fitness ride you probably only need two or three things, so 1-2-3, got it, go!

StanSeven

I'm the same for starting. Nobody used helmets when I got back into cycling as an adult. I got a helmet later and started wearing one. I got another bike and on the first ride I crashed. It was on a MUP and a stray cat being chased by a dog run right in front of me. I hit the cat, went over the bars, and cracked the helmet landing.

I never found out what happened to the cat.

AlmostTrick

What's a garmin, does it have something to do with a cell phone? 'Cause I don't have one of those either.

Nachoman

That's how I do it too. Pump tires. Set out all cycling clothing. And also set out a bowl of cereal and coffee grounds, so all I have to do is pour milk and heat water. Mistakes are eliminated by eliminating any thinking at that hour of the morning.

steve0257

Riding is much of a production as you want to make it. I'm able to get some nice rides right out my door so I don't have to haul the bike anywhere. That means I leave the pump, tube, and tools on the bike or in the handlebar bag. That means on shorter rides, generally under an hour, I can just get on the bike and go. For longer rides I'll make sure to bring a couple of full water bottles along.

Having said that, I'm not riding for fitness or training so I don't even think about different kinds of monitors and electronics to track my performance. My idea of getting ready for a ride might change if I was riding for fitness.

Machka 

No, it's not particularly a production for me.
I ride whenever I want to ride.

I have pretty much everything ready to roll at all times.

Machka 

You might need to set your bicycle up so it fits you better.

Little Darwin

I also usually need to drive somewhere to ride, and therefore, I keep everything I need in the car that makes sense (seat pack with its contents, and helmet, and my floor pump in case I need to top off the tires.).

I have forgotten my helmet twice, and I just rode without it. I don't suggest it as a norm, but I also realize that it is a very rare ride that includes an accident where head protection would make a difference. I rode a bike for over 10 years before helmets became the norm, as did all of my friends, and we made it through.

If I forgot something, I decide at the starting point if I will ride.

Floor pump: Do the tires feel ok?

Pack/patch kit/inflater: Am I willing to be careful, and potentially walk back to the car?

Helmet: Where am I riding, do I feel confident that I can mitigate risks by riding carefully.

Water: depends on length of ride, and availability of water along the way.

I will sometimes shorten my ride if I forgot something, but I don't recall canceling a ride because of something I forgot to bring.

wphamilton

You'll get used to a routine and then it's no production. Think of it as equivalent to commuting in your car: you have a mental checklist of the essentials, that you tick off every morning by habit. Maybe, phone, wallet, keys, work ID, coffee. With something new, like the bike ride, it's only while building the routine the first few times that it's time consuming.

My other advice is just relax about it. Forget the helmet, water, cookies, don't fret about it and just ride.

TheCannon

I agree. This morning I have some good top of the knee pain. I think my bike needs some fitting adjustment.

2manybikes

Not the only, but certainly the most common cause of top of the knee pain, is the seat too low. This makes you bend your knee more at the top of the stroke.

ShortLegCyclist

Garmin is a company that makes GPS (Global positioning system) products for car, bike and running/hiking. There are a large number of Garmin devices each of which is optimized for the activity it is intended for.

There is no Garmin cellphone app as far as I know, and that is because if Garmin made such an app, they would be competing with their own devices, which would be a poor business decision.

fietsbob

Why are you making it such a production ? you dont need the GPS to find your way back home do You?

RollCNY

If I am driving first thing in the morning to a location to ride, I do the following the night before:

Put socks and gloves in one shoe.
Put filled water bottle in the other shoe.
Place filled shoes and helmet on the floor of the passenger seat.
Pump up the tires.

So in the morning, I grab the bike, reinflate, put the bike in the car, and go. The reason for the double inflate is that if I forget it, I know with certainty that I did it the night before. With everything on the floor of the passenger seat, it is easy to see if it is there.

BlazingPedals

I ride in the evenings because I hate getting up early. But when I have a morning ride, I gather up everything I need the night before. How 'bout using a duffel bag for helmet, gloves, shoes, etc? Grab bike, bag, and go.

Blue Belly

Driving to start a ride? That makes it a production, for me.

BobbyG

I bike commute mot mornings. It gets easier, but some mornings I seem to loose my "rhythm"; especially if I've missed a few days.

TheCannon

Y'all need to get out more. Soon I will be driving one hour to ride 7 miles of bike trails through the redwood forest. I am also going to bring my drone via backpack so I can get some epic aerial footage. If you're willing to venture a bit there are tons of fun bike riding trails and routes far beyond riding distances from your home.

Blue Belly

ha! I used to ride 25 miles to get to a 50mile ride. Then Back. Though my rides are much shorter these days, I'd still rather pedal away from my doorstep,than go to the hassle of loading/unloading everything into the truck twice. I feel like I'm not cheating, that way

rydabent

Production to go for a bike ride? Why not ride like a 10 year old does. He wears whatever he has on and rolls his bike out of the garage, and off he goes.

wphamilton

So it's a literal Production, as in filming footage? To each his own.

I wouldn't bring anything but the bike for 7 miles in the bike trail. Maybe some water, if it's 7 miles out and 7 back two or three times.

caloso

i am sure that's true. I would just find it hard to justify 2 hours round trip in the car to ride 7 miles.

italktocats

youre overthinking it, its riding a bike; get your bike and ride it


i rather ride 2hours than having to drive 7 miles..