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Seeking advice for biking to work - tips/tricks

JeremyBehlerJeremyBehler
in General Training Discussions

I've always liked the idea of biking to work but the logistics and/or circumstances never made it practical.

I changed jobs/companies last fall and that's no longer the case.  I live about 15 miles form work and have the option of many different routes and a bike trail, none of which are particularly busy here in small town Wisconsin.  

My situation:

  • I carry a briefcase home with me every night that includes laptop, paper files, ipad, etc , but 90% of my work I do from home is responding to email, etc.  
  • Dress is business casual meaning I typically wear slacks and a pressed long sleeve shirt.
  • I have a private, secure office with ample storage for clothing, bikes, etc.

My thought is that I can keep a few shirts/pants in the office and just bring in new ones on the days I drive.  I would anticipate biking into work twice a week to coordinate with my bike training days allowing me to 1)kill two birds (training and commute) with one stone and 2) increase the amount of training because of 1).

As far as having access to work files/email from home..I could attempt to find a mount or other means to bring my iPad on the commute and just leave my laptop in the office.  Alternatively I could leave the ipad at home, but I like to use it during the day if possible.  I can also access email via the web so my email connectivity isn't a huge concern which again is 90% of my needs.  That said, given the scope and responsibilities of my role I would highly like to find a way to have access to my files, folders, etc that reside on my computer.

Any thoughts/suggestions from those who have found a way to make this work are much appreciated!

 

 

Comments

  • rlh2000rlh2000
    I've done it off and on over the years, as well as run commute, with the distance being 7-8 miles each way for me. Makes a good run distance but not a real bike workout, especially since it is on a heavy traffic path for me, but can be more enjoyable than the bus. I found it works well when I wasn't doing it every day, as I could bring what I needed the day before as you mentioned. Other things to make sure you'll have are shoes (there was a day I went in socks all day at work for that reason...) and lunch if you bring yours. As far as accessing files, I use dropbox and store pretty much everything I'd need to access at home on there and can flawlessly go between computers.
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    I have done the opposite which is only bike commute on days when I DON'T have a bike workout scheduled, with the logic that I cannot do a quality workout on a commute and it undermines a planned evening quality session on the trainer. Instead I have used bike commuting as a bonus workout in addition to the run/swim planned for that particular day.

    The above has allowed me to use a different bike that is more set up for commuting, including lights, fenders and a rack. For your length of commute you could consider a touring bike or cyclocross bike that will have decent geometry (not an upright "commuter"). I have a really low-end computer briefcase that I lash to the rack with bungee cord for the days when I commute, and keep several shirts and dress pants in the office. I bring socks and undershirt, etc with me in the computer bag.
  • JeremyBehlerJeremyBehler

    Matt - I can still get in a good workout here..roads are wide open, limited/no stops along the route, etc. so I would be fine doing it on my tri bike.   This is what sparked my original thought as I would already be out on these roads in the AM for my training so why just go to work and get the bonus mileage in at the end of the day.  

    Now, that means limited/no bags/etc which is a tradeoff but certainly has a different objective.  

     

  • novaavantnovaavant
    Before moving to New Jersey from Northern Virginia I always commuted to work on bike.

    I bought and still have a timbuk2 messenger bag to store all the stuff I would drag back and forth to the office. The bag is enormous and it would fit more stuff than my back could actually endure. Clothes I would store at the office and drive to work once or twice a week to swap stuff out. I also kept a dop kit of toiletries and always had plenty of baby wipes. I would normally have access to a shower but baby wipes are a great option to "refresh" on days you are short on time.

    Depending on your IT firewall environment you can leave your laptop at work and access it remotely via multiple options. I use logmein but have a corporate account since it's no longer free but there are alternatives. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2091801/5-alternatives-to-logmein-free-for-remote-pc-access.html

    I loved commuting to work and miss it to this day, so if you can pull it off do it. You will feel super energized in the morning and in the afternoon be ready to hammer home.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    J ... I've got a lot to say on this, but am halfway around the globe in So hemisphere next 2 was, so will limit it to ...+1 on what Matt says. Describe my 13+ yr experience. Will trade ideas with you in May @ ToC
  • Mark StahlkopfMark Stahlkopf

    Jeremy,

    +2 on Matts post. I have done something similar. I will drive to work in the morning with bike & stuff in car, then get a good workout in with extended ride home. Next morning, get the bonus by riding back to work. You could carry a tablet in a small backpack.

  • thekidduxcthekidduxc
    Back in Chicago I followed Mark's plan with Matt's logic. I drove to work with my bike, brought work clothes for the next day and biked home that night and to work the next morning. Then drove home the second day.

    I would most of the time use it as a bonus workout. Just made me that much stronger.
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