This week I learned quite a few lessons during my commute. I usually take the bus to work.* Or the bus and the train. For the first time since I started my new job, I biked to the train station instead of using the bus, due some scheduling issues: I needed to to be at "work" early since there was a local conference, and I wanted to conserve as many zzz as possible. I knew that the bike would work out better since there were going to be some late evenings, and the bus home isn't well timed with the train.

*I am on the fence about biking as a commute to the train station for a handful of reasons: potential theft issues (my station is middle of the pack in terms of stolen bikes, but I had an issue with another nearby station). There are cheap paid lockers, and I am fine using those. And probably the biggest hurdle: the bus stop is across the street. The bus ride to the train is roughly 10 minutes. The bike doesn't really save any time if I can time the buses. But a few changes happened at the nearby train station that makes biking more attractive:
1. The city has striped a bike lane about 1/2 of the ride there, and an "alley" where buses load and the parking garage entrance is. The new bike lane is both more convenient for me than the entrance on the other side, it is also more direct and shorter! It has calmed the traffic as before the street felt like a freeway with cars exceeding the 30mph speed limit.
2. The surface parking was replaces with a parking structure. Circling up to find a spot combined with the longer walk from the parking lot puts the bike time competitive with driving, since you can bike up to the bike parking and bike parking is next to the fare gate.

This new path to work offered 2 lessons.
The first lesson of the week. Sore feet (standing all day at a tradeshow) + slightly loose flats = bad combo to maximize pedaling power and keep your feet on the pedals.

The second lesson inspired this thread. On the way home, I had a little shopping to do. I have been pondering getting a sturdier backpack for going to the gym and traveling. I had a fully and heavy tote bag with my laptop, swag from the show and my day to day stuff. So picking up a backpack didn't seem like a horrible idea, as I saw one that worked stylistically: sleek and not too many pockets! Since my bike ride home from the train is short, I thought I'd just wear the backpack, put my tote in my basket. Typically I keep my stuff in the basket or on my rack.

The whole ride felt funny! I felt off-balance and too hot! How do you guys manage a long ride with a backpack! Mine was only 10 minutes and I felt much warmer than usual. The backpack felt so awkward. I decided, when this backpack comes with me on my bike, It'll stay in my basket!

I did come to a final conclusion: I should definitely ride my bike on days I will get home late, as the buses are not timed with the train. And my new bike will have dynamo lights in the front and back, so I won't need to charge and worry about riding after dark or staying out later than expected. Additionally, another nearby train station has a bike valet open from 7a to 9p. This station is a little further, but that is a good safe option, and the route home has some helpful errands.