My first commute
 

Today I decided to start commuting to work. I have a shower at work and my clothes were already there:D I stuffed what i needed in my jersery pockets and set out on a beautiful ride. 2 miles of greenway with a total of 10 miles to work. Also took much less time than commuting by bus. Now to get some rain gear and figure out how to carry my lunch...why didnt i do this sooner:D

Congrats...sure is better than driving or taking the bus, ain't it?

I'm now in my third season of commuting and I still wonder why I didn't do this sooner.

Welcome to the club!

Welcome aboard! I should've been riding for at least the last 10 years--but it's a grim future in which one is lamenting the past. :)

If you can go light often enough, you might think about a smallish hydration-type pack. Most days I only need to carry clean shirt, socks, and underwear (along with basic odds and ends). For the last week or so, I've been using a Camelbak Blowfish. It's a neat little size that rides nicely and isn't big enough for a heavy load. I think it's become my pack of choice for when I don't have to drag along more stuff. The options are many, though...

Congrats! In just a couple weeks (maybe even by your next paycheck), you'll have saved enough money to go crazy with racks and panniers and trunk bags.

You're gonna love it. I'm in my third week of a mixed bike/bus commute, and I actually look forward to going to work. Of course, I look forward to going home too, it's just the nine hours between....

My opinions on how to carry stuff: single pannier is okay, if you can use it w/out heel strike. Backpack sucks. Messenger bag is so far the best option, but I would rather find one made to hang on the right shoulder, the one I am borrowing currently rides on the left shoulder, and slightly interferes with my view looking back to check on upcoming traffic.

Have fun with it!

Thanks guys. Now to see if it rains on my way home.

Congratulations on your first day of commuting by bike. I basically have the same setup and I leave my clothes at work and have a shower facility. Only problem was bringing lunch. That is until I discovered the beauty of wraps, burritos or any food of that nature. Some can even fit in my saddle bag.:D

But for the days when I must have a bag, I purchased one of these dufflebags from REI.
http://www.outdoorproducts.com/displ...ku=231-&view=D

Its by Outdoor Products, Carryall Duffle bag. Works sorta like a messenger bag, kinda.;)

Note to self: no amount of rain gear will keep me warm if i do not have shoe covers...Doh

Always cool to read about another commuter. Welcome to the club! It's one of the most fun clubs you'll ever join. :D

About lunch, I found the first problem is I eat so much more when commuting by bike (18k each way). Two sandwiches is plenty when driving. That's about 1/2 - 2/3 enough when biking.

Guess that money you spend on petrol has to go somewhere...

Steve

Sweet, another HHCMF

Welcome to the club! Kinda makes you wonder why everybody doesn't do it, huh? Enjoy.