Entered the world of bike commuting...

[CorsairMac]

Lynne: what type of environment do you work in?......as in all office, warehouse, combo??......have you talked to your co-workers?? they may actually help you keep on eye on your bike and take care/protect it. Especially if they know that's your only way of getting home.
As for the traffic - I ride like I belong on that rode doggone it.....coz I am after all considered a vehicle. It can be intimidating but believe me, the drivers Know when you're backing down. I don't mean I'm an Aggressive rider, but an Assertive rider. I also - thanks to someone here on the board - try and let the drivers know what I'm doing ie: if there's a right turn lane and I'm going straight, I signal that I'm staying in the straight lane....you'd be surprised how many people will back off to let you move over where you need to be. As for the masher guy - I'm with you, I'da just let him go. If it happens again you might try stiking up a conversation with him, ask him if he finds it easier to start in such a high gear!!
I'm sorry to hear about the locker - you may have to leave a duffle bag under your desk to keep you biking clothes in.....or talk to the other ladies and see if they'd mind if you left them in the restroom.....heck - ya might inspire some other ladies to ride too! Someone here I think said they had a friend who laid out all her bikie gear under her desk to dry out until time to go home.
No matter what, you're already doing more than most people even dream of, keep up the good work and it will work out for you!

[DeniseGoldberg]

...Someone here I think said they had a friend who laid out all her bikie gear under her desk to dry out until time to go home.
No matter what, you're already doing more than most people even dream of, keep up the good work and it will work out for you!

Funny, that's exactly what I do with my biking clothes!

I'm really lucky though - my office is across the street from a Marriott, and when I started working at this office I went looking for the closest gym. It turns out that this hotel has a decent little gym - though expensive - but it was worth it to me to have a place to take a shower after my morning commute. And of course since it's a hotel there is the added plus that they supply the towels. So I take my shower, then walk across the street to my office. My bike goes in a storage closet in the office, the single pannier that I use to carry my work clothes go under my desk, and I spread my damp cycling clothes over the pannier so that they are dry by the time I'm ready to head home.

If I were in your situation I'd probably leave a bag under my desk with toilet articles, a towel, etc. In fact at one point before I joined the health club I considered leaving a small plastic bucket at the office figuring I could fill it with water, hide in a stall in the rest room , and at least sponge off before changing. If there is a handicapped stall, even better.

I don't ride in city traffic, but there are several spots on my commute that can be kind of hairy. In fact, my commute to work is 16 miles and my commute home is 18 miles because I find that it's easier to co-exist with the morning drivers. After work there seem to be more nuts out there, so I go out of my way to find a slightly quieter alternative to my morning commute. I take whatever room I need on the road (to be safe), and I always signal my intent to change direction. I've had drivers stop to let me turn left, which always surprises me.

--- Denise

[Lynne]

You guys are so sweet! Now if you just worked with me, lol!

Well, with all the downs, there are a lot of ups to my commute. I do have access to the freebie gym with a full shower, shampoo and soap (icky soap, I need to bring my own) and towels and a hair-dryer. For the next couple of weeks, I have access to a drawer at work to put some stuff in (tried just leaving my stuff in the freebie locker room, got a what's-what from the management). I will lay my clothes out to dry all day around my desk because while my co-workers think I'm nuts, they tell me they can't do what I'm doing, so I get a little respect.

We have a guy transferring from Seattle to our office and he's got an "in" so he confiscated an empty cubicle to put his bike in. He offered to let me put mine next to his, so I just have a month or so to get through. (although we have to put down cardboard on the floor so we don't get the carpet dirty...WHATEVER).

I'll probably be doing Tues-Thurs commuting. Kind of a bummer I can't do more right now, but I need to condition myself. So...it's Saturday hard/pleasure rides, Sunday rest, Monday riding around the track (my BF has taken up racing, but I can ride around it for an hour before...my one chance at a smooth flat fast ride!). Tues commute, Weds riding w/my honey, Thurs commute, Friday rest up for Sat. How's that for planning?

See my post about my new bike, too! Going out today for it's virgin ride