In a nutshell, I shower in the morning. Carry my work clothes and tools in a backpack daily. Lock my bike on a rack off the street (but still outside). Wash my hands, hair and face in the bathroom. Use extra paper as needed for road grime to clean shoes and legs a bit (if it was raining). Change into the work clothes. Hang up bike clothes. Put helmet and shoes in bottom desk drawer. Optionally put on deoderant at the desk (have two travel size solid and spray in an overhead cabinet).
Some things that I've learned are:
- Always hang up your bike clothes. Its nice to put on dry clothes at the end of the day.
- If your shoes and socks are wet, try stuffing a bunch of paper towel inside them. We have big roll paper dispensers in the bathroom and the kitchen.
- If you ride in the rain, you will eventually get creaky bike. Just plan on a little extra cleaning for the bottom bracket, seatpost and stem at home when needed.
- Wipe your chain after every ride. If the chain looks dry, then put some oil on it. If you park and ride, then keep a roll of paper towels and some oil for the chain in the car. I use air tool oil. But just about any lighter oil will do.
- Spin and wipe your tires before the ride. Then check for any debris stuck in the tire. This saved me a few times from getting a flat. If something is hard to get out, then let some air out of the tire and pinch it.
- Pump up your tires before every ride. I keep my floor pump in the car when I park and ride.
- If you get a lot of debris (like me in and around the city) consider a tire with some extra flat protection. I've been using Conti Gatorskin but any tire with a little extra protection helps. Can also consider Mr Tuffy strips but I've never tried them yet.
- Try to keep up the regular maintenance if you are commuting year round. Replace tires, break shoes, bar tape, chain and cassette as needed. Also consider repacking or replacing the bearings either annually or every other year depending on how much you ride.
- Try to carry as little as possible in the backpack (or other bag on the bike). I leave my laptop at home. Have a desktop at work. Leave the big chain lock on the rack. Only take the tools you can use. Don't carry any books, etc.
- Use a front and rear light if riding before or after dusk. Consider using them all the time. Leave the USB charge cables at work and plug them into your desktop (or laptop).
- If its raining, use a plastic bag for your work clothes in the backpack. I also use another plastic bag on the seat to keep it from getting soaked (since I leave the bike outside).
- Look at the weather after you get up in the morning (I like wunderground.com). I also look at the tweets for GWB sidewalk.
- If its really cold, snowing, or you feel sick, then take the day off. You'll still get plenty of ride time on the other days. So no worries there.
I usually want clear roads and 20F or higher temp.
Most of all have fun and enjoy the commute. You will keep in shape so will feed good. Meet some other fellow commuters on the route. Say hi to the crossing guards and maybe have a chat with them once in a while. Of course, stay in touch with the folks here on BF and ask anything you need. I learned a lot from this forum, so its a good place to be.