So today my first ride to work. I rode to work the other week for bike to work day, and this was my first "real day." I work about 30 miles from home, too far for me to bike. So my route is bike to the train, it is about 1.25 miles, ride the train for 45 minutes then bike 4.5 miles to work.

On bike to work day I chickened out on the way home. It was drizzling. And I was to meet some friends for happy hour/dinner. But the larger issue was that after I went to dinner, I knew the ride home was either detour a mile for a flatter route or ride a mile on an escalating hill. I ended up parking my bike downtown in a locker after the train and grabbing it over the weekend. It was a 10 mile day even though I didn't go all the way home.

I have ave been hesitant about biking to work because I want to wear regular clothing and not worry about changing. My office is casual but I am on the dressy end, and wearing leggings to work isn't really my thing. I did on bike to workday with the excuse of biking. . But my ride to work is low key and much easier than my last three blocks home in my neighborhood, with a flat route and few lights. The route is all sharrows in a mix of residential, commercial and industrials areas along the way.

On bike to work day I didn't see many other cyclists, but I got to the train station at 9 which is kinda late. The ride home also say limited riders. Just 3-4.

So today my goal was to bike in my regular outfit, and get to work on time. I didn't want to make bike concessions, and only made one small modification on my outfit. I wore a dress, cardigan and flats with ankle straps (instead of regular flats). I parked outside as my buildings elevator barely fits my bike and bike theft seems to be rare based in the way bikes are locked up near work. Cable locks I can cut with child scissors are the norm.

It was an easy ride in. I didn't get too sweaty, just a little warm and a small amount of perspiration. On the way home I had a drink date. It was a straightforward ride back to the train, the only hiccup was a strong headwind. Once I got off the train, I went to the bar, and then biked home after. The ride home from downtown is uphill at a slight incline. But the last few blocks are annoying. No bike lanes, steeper hill. I did cheat, and pedaled on the sidewalk for the dangerous block. I typically detour to a side street, but the street doesn't have many pedestrians especially at night, so it was safe to stay on the sidewalk to avoid a few hills.

I got got home and realized it was pretty productive. I wasn't as tired as I have been over the last few weeks and I got some free exercise. Since traffic can be terrible midweek, I think I'll swap my drive for a ride 1-2x a week as an alternate activity.