Bike Education

Here is a detailed list of commuter gear and why it may be important.

Fenders: They keep the rain off of you and out of your face. Full fenders are always the best because they help to keep water away from your feet, your face, and your back. The more you can keep it away from yourself the warmer you will allow yourself to stay. Remember that because you are moving there is always wind. Wind on chilled, wet feet is a disaster so try to keep them a little dryer than you would without fenders.

Lights: A no-brainer. Lights are the law and besides being a law abiding citizen you don’t want to be pegged by a sixteen wheeled truck because he couldn’t see you.

Helmet: Commuter or just plain rider; you need one to save your melon. Wear one period.

Gloves: Padded gloves offer a little bit of road damping. This means they act like shocks on your car and make your hands less tired. Winter gloves are good idea in the cold and wet because your extremities are the first to go numb. If you try to make your ride comfortable you will be more likely to keep riding. Besides wet, cold hands suck!

Cycling shorts: Chamois is the terminology. Wicking moisture from your private parts is the job. A little bit of padding is there to make you comfortable for the regular rides. Do I need to go into depth as to why this is an important area for you? Padded, dry, comfy, this should all make sense. They’ll work a lot better if you don’t wear your undies underneath.

Cycling jersey: Layer these technical fabrics for appropriate weather. Technical fabrics keep moisture off of your body making it less likely for you to get a chill. Never use cotton because it only collects moisture. These layers should be tight to the skin so that the fabric can do its job perfectly. Remember you are moving and you are an athlete so try to keep the layers thin and free moving. Polypropolene can come in varying thicknesses to add to your warmth level. Fabrics that contain it are the perfect technical winter riding layering pieces.

Riding jacket: Same as above in terms of thickness and mobility except that this is meant to keep you dry and shielded from the massive wind gusts you are creating because you’re so darn fast. These riding jackets are similar to ski jackets just not nearly as thick. The best jackets have great breathability and have pit zips so you can let out the heat.

Shoe Covers/Booties: These little gems make all the difference to your life. They are what warm gloves are to your hands for your feet. Covers that keep rain and wind out and insulate your feet even if they do get wet. Consider these to be like a wet suit for scuba divers. Mostly used in the winter.

Considerations:
Chain Lube: The wetter it gets and the more mileage you haul the more you’re going to want to help old Betsy get to the job site. Lube her up.

Panniers and Pannier Racks: Keep everything off of your back if you can. The more mileage you do with weight on your back the greater chance there is for discomfort. The position that cycling puts you in will not disperse your weight from a bag very well and you will get aches and pains. Put the weight on the bike, allow your back to breathe, and carry your stuff more comfortably.

Ear warmers/headband: Just like they sound. With wind a factor some people are prone to earache. Beat the wind by not allowing it in. Again, winter based primarily.

Clear glasses: Keep schrapnel from flinging in your eye. Wear protective eyewear.

Flat tire kit: In case it happens, keep a pump and spare tube in your bag so that you won’t be too late for work. If you want help learning the skills required sign up for one of our maintenance clinics.

Bell: Believe it or not this little gem is a great asset when commuting. People hate to be yelled at and a little dingle gets you through.

Water Source: Keep hydrated because you are working to get where you’re going. Drink a little frequently to keep your body a temple.

Mirror: When in traffic some love a mirror. Just like a car it just lets you know what’s there.

Lock: You don’t want to lose your new found success as a commuter do you? Keep your baby yours.

We are all guilty of the same things: Go to school, get programmed, join the rat race, follow everybody else’s plan, never question the things we are doing, end up somewhere we never expected. Now that you think about it, most of you are probably wondering where you are really going. Why are you in the job you are? What are you trying to accomplish? Are you tired?

I am convinced that each of us needs to slow down and enjoy every day, whether we are a surfer, a banker, a real estate agent, or a cyclist. The problem for most of us is that we are so caught up with daily life that we rarely have a chance to slow down. However, there is a way you can slow down your brain without actually giving up your busy life. Herein lies the secret.

Ride to work. Rain or shine, early or late, once a week or every day. Riding to work energizes the soul.

You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t already believe in the value of riding your bike. Most of you are mountain bikers, and you all know the enjoyment and sense of escape you have when you are on your bike. Riding your bike at anytime of day, for any reason, gives you that feeling you crave. Whether the ride is challenging or simply an outdoor excursion, the fact is you aren’t working. You’re just riding.

Fit a ride in every day by using a bike as your mode of transportation. You will need to put in a little effort here, to be comfortable on your daily commute. There’s no need to spend any money, so don’t start with the excuses.

Follow these steps to get yourself ready. Put some spare clothes in your office or locker at work. You might as well throw in a towel and some spare toiletries (soap, toothbrush, deodorant etc.) so that you look like you just stepped out of a limousine. Get out your bike, and clean it up. Make sure it is working nicely, and try to weather proof it a wee bit. Fenders and flashing lights are a minimum to enjoy your commute but aren’t necessary, unless you’ll be traveling in the rain or dark. Look in that closet of yours and find your thinnest, water-resistant jacket and rummage up some old bike jerseys to layer underneath. Now grab your helmet, gloves, and perhaps some glasses to ward off any car shrapnel and you’re set. Clearly, this is a basic idea. You could get even more wild in an attempt to enjoy your daily sojourn, but this is meant to get you riding, not spending all the money you earn at that job you’re riding to. I will leave a detailed list of commuting equipment and road laws in a list form at the bottom of this article. Peruse it if you wish.

There isn’t a better way to accomplish weight loss goals, reduce driving stress, manage your daily work load, and simply satisfy your urge for riding than ripping through traffic on your two-wheeled torpedo, waving at the sorry lot stuck in their single occupancy jail cells. I promise that you’ll find sanctity on your bike, and you will feel better about yourself – even pedaling one day a week. Don’t eliminate your other group rides just add a ride to work. Try it. I dare you. In fact, I challenge you all.

Mountain bikes, road bikes, BMX bikes, old bikes, new bikes, expensive bikes, deadly department store bikes, or any bike that has pumped up tires – they are all tools that will all have a profound affect on your life if you use them. So go ahead and pull the old rig out of the garage, and use her in a way that you never thought you would. Become a commuter because you owe it to yourself – and after all, ‘the journey is the destination.’ You are set for take off.

P.S. I know a wonderful lady who has ridden to work over 1800 days straight. Never a day sick, and judging by her visits to the store, she seldom has a bad day, period. Now put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Live to ride.