Finally Rode Bike to work!!!!
I've been wanting and planning to do this for a couple of years now. Initially, I had job that was too far to bike commute, 92 miles one wqy, so I commuted on Amtrak instead. Finally got a gig that was somewhat manageable, 35 miles one way, but only 12 miles to train station, so I was planning to bike to the train station everyday, and possibly bike all the way in Friday's. When I came up with this idea, it was late fall round Thanksgiving, so instead of starting in the winter, I decided I would wait until spring. As luck would have it, my job contract ended before spring.
Next gig was too far, 60 miles one way. Fast forward, now I have a new gig that is only 12 miles away. So instead of waiting until spring, last night I decided I was just going to go for it..... And I DID!!! I lLUV IT!!
But I do have a couple of takeaways I hadn't previously anticipated:
1. To go from Superman to Clark Kent, (and vice versa) took way tooooo long. I gotta shorten my departure routine from the house, and shower routine at work; and my clothes change routine in the evening. I'm hoping within the next few rides I'll settle down on an efficient routine
2. The "lightly traveled" back roads I ride on the weekends and late evenings, are VERY busy early morning and during evening rush hour. Seems as though everyone knows about the "lightly traveled back roads" LOL!! Not much I can do about this except leave earlier in the morning with the hope of leaving work earlier in the evening. However, not sure this would be a realistic option for me because of my job demands. Any other route would be on the heavier traveled roads. Although its not me I'm worried about in rush hour traffic, it's car drivers drinking coffee, checking email, calling the office, haggling with the kids, etc., I just have to suck this one up stay alert and prayed up...
3. Although I installed a rack on my bike during my previous plan to commute, I never got around to buying a pannier, So I had to carried a backpack which felt like 10+ lbs!!!, Not sure I can pack much lighter, a suit, shirt, under garments, laptop, shoes, wallet, and bike lock. Shoulders and back will get a workout until I get a pannier.
The main thing is I enjoyed this as much as I thought I would, can't wait to commute tomorrow... Gonna try to keep doing this for 3 days a week, weather permitting. Here is a picture of the bike in the parking garage after I got there. Not a great picture to look at, but I love it because I RODE AND PARKED MY BIKE AT WORK!!!!!!