Commuter Newbie Help

[kcmpls]

I actually went down and checked out the showers today and it is really nice down there. They have a hair dryer that I can use, which is great! I'd prefer not to dry my hair or shower, but that just isn't an option right now. It will be completely wet when I get to work due to sweat.

And I do know how to fix a tire and do basic bike maintainence. I'm just really slow. Like 20+ minutes to fix a flat.

But the bus is great. We can put our bikes on the bus and it will be totally okay. The furthest I'd have to walk is a couple blocks to a bus line.

Tomorrow is the day. I'm going to get up very early to make sure it all works out okay. And if I end up here early, I can leave early.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'll let you all know how it goes.

[Melalvai]

I strongly encourage the bicycle class, http://www.bikeleague.org for learning how to bicycle with traffic.

Join the local or state bicycle advocacy group to help you deal with the crap motorists dish out. I heard a lot of advice like "Don't let it bother you" as if it were a choice. If I could just flip a switch from "bothered" to "not bothered", that switch would always be OFF! But getting involved in advocacy was sort of like flipping that switch for me.

As far as sweating and being presentable for work, your sweat is more noticeable to you than anyone else.
As Thistle discovered when she biked to her meeting:
http://www.yehudamoon.com/index.php?date=2008-07-21

I sweat pretty easily, and I find the easiest results are when I wait ten minutes, then towel off and change into a clean shirt. For a while I had a shower available, and learned that I preferred not to shower even on very hot days.

If you leave that extra 10 minutes, and you are always 10 minutes early, then when you get that flat or other delay, you're covered. (Maybe you can surf the web or whatever during that 10 minutes...just don't get distracted because it easily turns into an hour!)

My goretex rain gear was a really good investment. In your area cold weather will be a problem and the rain gear works even better as a wind blocker. But it was expensive. I didn't get it right away, but either got a ride or got wet for a couple years! Put your change of clothes in TWO grocery sacks to keep it dry.

The other advice I have is to crystallize in your mind why you bike to work. That will help when you are pestered with questions, criticisms and judgments from people who think you are out of your mind. I don't mind those who are just curious, but some people seem to think that I'm the one making a statement about their driving because I choose to bike. Perhaps a guilty conscience?

I'm so excited for you!

[jezbael]

Good for you!

I bet the positive comments you get from people will far outweigh the occasional jerks. When I tell people that I make a 12.5 km commute once a week, they think I'm a hero. I love it

You're going good for yourself and for the environment.

The first couple of years that I commuted, I would look outside and if the wind wasn't right, or if it looked like it was going to rain... then I wouldn't. Then once I got caught in the rain, and I discovered that it wasn't so bad! Now I almost never even bother to look outside or check the weather, and only forego the bike if the rain is so heavy that it is dangerous.

[kcmpls]

I totally wussed out at the last minute. And tomorrow is going to rain.

BUT, I'm going to do it. Next Tuesday. For sure. I'm going to get a bike rack this weekend and be able to use my pannier.

I'm going to do it.

And I appreciate everyone's comments and advice.

[Tri Girl]

No worries. You'll get it done.
I chickened out about a dozen times before I took the plunge and finally did it. You'll get there- and we'll be cheering you on the whole way to and from work.

[Melalvai]

I totally wussed out at the last minute. And tomorrow is going to rain.

BUT, I'm going to do it. Next Tuesday. For sure. I'm going to get a bike rack this weekend and be able to use my pannier.

I'm not going to let you off the hook that easily. Because I'm looking forward to hearing your first ride report! Get out there next Tuesday for sure!!

[tpb]

I totally wussed out at the last minute. And tomorrow is going to rain.

BUT, I'm going to do it. Next Tuesday. For sure. I'm going to get a bike rack this weekend and be able to use my pannier.

I'm going to do it.

The most difficult commute is the first one. Get it behind you as soon as possible

[Grog]

When I didn't want to do something because it rained, my mom would ask me:

Are you made out of chocolate?

It sounds better in French. I think in English you say "out of sugar," right?

Anyway, I'm not (thankfully, or I would no longer have limbs) and I now live in a very rainy place. Rainy commutes are actually a lot of fun!

Just ride.

[kfergos]

If you'd like some more information on bike commuting, I can email you a PDF of a Bike Commute Manual type thing that the League of American Bicyclists put together. It covers the entire range of stuff you're concerned about and is pretty comprehensive.

Another tip: Does anybody else bike to your work? If so, how about teaming up and having an experienced commuter escort you until you feel comfortable? If you're worried about slowing them down, remember that all experienced bike commuters love to help new commuters -- as evidenced by this forum -- and they'll gladly go your speed to help get you on the road.

I like to use the bus as my flat tire backup. It's sure nice to know I can just toss my bike on the bus and get to work in a reasonable time.

As for riding in the rain, I second Grog's comment: Nobody's going to melt out there. Riding in the rain, especially in the summer, can be glorious -- you get a cool, refreshing rinse-off and arrive wet but not sweaty. Just be sure to have bright blinking lights so drivers can see you through the rain. My rule of thumb: If drivers have their windshield wipers on, I turn on my lights. (OK, actually I ride with lights on all the time, but that's a different story.)

Most of all, bite the bullet and do it. When you decide "I'm going to ride," don't even let the thought "I could drive..." enter your head. That instant of wavering will kill you every time. You can do it! We're all here rooting for you, eagerly waiting to hear how your first ride goes. And your second, third, fourth, etc.