Okay, I can do this. I did two miles today and it was 30 minutes (counting the 2 it took me to unfold the bike and the 10 it took me to re-fold, which is trickier if I want it in the bag). So I can do a mile in about 10 minutes, which means I should be able to bike to work on Tuesday. Why Tuesday? Monday I have an appointment and while I said I was going to bike, I got ‘The Look’ from the Life Partner which says ‘Uh huh. Like hell you are.’ So no bike Monday. I’ll live.
Attire is going to be an issue. While biking two miles in jeans was easy, I think I’m going to need to sort out the tops. But also I’m contemplating joining Active Transportation Alliance. This is on the shelf because frankly only one of us is working.
Lights. The light I got is wrong for my bike, but it’s good for the LPs, so there goes that. Damn it. So I’ll get a regular sort of LED strap on, like they have at PlanetBike. I don’t do night biking right now so I’m not terribly worried about this.
I am NOT going to be biking in the rain any time soon. Sorry. I’m not good enough for it. But I will need something Gore-Tex-ish. Stupidly, I converted from those sorts of coats to wool about 5 years ago, since I never Rollerbladed in inclement weather and I’m inclined to be stylish. So I figure I need a rain outfit and, if I layer right, I can wear the same gear year-round.
As for work clothes, I can easily fold them up into my bag. See the image on the right? Yeah it’ll fit. I used to do this with a smaller bag for rollerblading, and after forgetting my shoes ones (shut up) I always leave two pair at work: black and brown. Shut up. I’m not telling the shoe story. It’s not that funny.
Pants: Capri pants should suit me. Cargo style shorts, which I wear almost all summer long, are great, but the capri pants are a little more stylish. Something like the Pearl Izumi only the cheap version from Target or something. On the other hand, I remember that a lot of Europeans just bike in their clothes. I mean regular clothes. I’m inclined to sweat so I’m iffy about this. Stinky clothes aren’t fun. I’ll want the capris for summer, though! At 90+ F, you want extra pants. And socks. Always socks, people.
All the ‘coolmax’ stuff is polyester, which means I can’t wear it. Period. Seriously, I break out when I sweat on that stuff, and it’s not worth it. So if I bring an extra shirt to wear at the office, I should be okay. And pit stick. So screw the fancy, I’m going for Euro Classy! My dad bikes to the train in slacks, so can I!
You’re the second person I know who reacts to polyester… the trick is to get in shape so you don’t have to sweat so cotton or whatever will work. (I’m allergic to wool… not itchy so much as wheezing… and breathing is required for riding.)
Tuesday’s coming! You’re doin’ it right – leaping crazily out of the comfort level isn’t generally sustainable. Stealthily sneaking out, now… with perhaps an occasional blitz…
*HAH* I used my iPhone already once, and it works ‘enough’. It’s only dark in the morning for me right now, so I’m not as worried as I might be.
My plan right now is to wear a ‘to work’ shirt and then change. I did it when Rollerblading, so it should hold true. Just remember the pit stick! Personally I love LOVE wool. Wool socks, merino wool sweaters, a wool coat. I love them, the smell of them, and the feel. You just have to get the right stuff. It’s machine washable, too, just don’t dry them.
Thank you for the support!
Oh… and bike light? Iphone will do… or you can take any little flashlight like a mini-mag light (or a fancy Fenix) or the cheap Chinese thing I picked up at Walgreens when I was on the wrong bike and it got dark, and a reasonably thick rubber band… and just saddle the thing on.
Thanks for thinking of joining the Active Transportation Alliance. If money is an issue, we have a “low-income” option of only $15.
The issue is my partner’s out of work, and spending even $15 we don’t have to is low on the list.
My plan is to put aside my leftover ‘petty cash’ at the end of the week and tuck it away for this. I should have the money ‘saved’ in a month or so