How I Bike to Work

I've been biking to work a few times a week in the summer so I thought I would do a post on what I do.  

- Every couple of rides, I will check the night before to make sure my tires are pumped up.  I also pack my bag the night before and set out my gloves, helmet, and water bottle.

- I wear gloves because I find on long rides my hands get a bit worn.  These ones, from MEC, have the fingertips that you can use on a touch screen.

- My bike is just a mid-range hybrid one, 18 speeds.  It cost about $350.

- I bought this pannier last year.  I had been using a backpack, but it was (a) heavy, and (b) made my back sweatier than it needed to be.  This pannier holds everything I need and gets it off my back.

- It takes me under 40 minutes to bike, and that is just about the same as it takes me on the subway.  I am mostly on bike trails along the lake, and am only on the road on my way down to the lake and then up to my office (although most of that is on a bike lane).  I don't really feel unsafe riding my bike, I'm careful and traffic isn't moving too quickly when I'm out there.  

- My office building has a bike locker and I pay $25 a year to have access to it.  My bike was stolen back in 2019 when I was locking it up on the street (a common occurance) so then I found out about the bike locker and have used that ever since.

- I lock it up there too with a Kryptonite lock.

- Besides my laptop and work papers, I also bring a change of clothes in my pannier.  I wear shorts and a t-shirt on my bike and then change in my office when I arrive, reapply deodorant and brush my hair.  I do put on make-up and it stays on while I ride, even though I do get a bit sweaty. I don't wear a ton of make-up anyway and I just dab my face and I look okay.   

This is what I look like when I head out.

When I am just finished my ride.

And after I've been able to cool down have freshened up (but before I put my jewelry on)

- I'm not a fancy biker, but it is a great way to start and end my day.  I look forward to getting on my bike at the end of the day. I love seeing all of the commuters and tourists, going home, going out, heading to a Blue Jays game or a concert.  There are always lots of bikers, runners, scooters, dogs, etc.  It's also good exercise of course even though I'm not winning any races out there. 

- Mostly the weather is great, and if it is raining in the morning I just forego the bike and hop on the subway instead, and if it's raining in the afternoon, then I'm on my way home anyway so it's okay if I get wet. It is such a good way to take advantage of summer while it's here.