I bought a bike last Saturday with the intention of riding to work 3 or 4 times a week as weather permits.
It’s about 10 miles and about 9 miles of it are a paved trail that goes along the Chicago Botanic Gardens and through Cook County Forest Preserve. I got to see white swans this morning.
Today was my first day and I never did a trial run, so I gave myself plenty of time (figuring it would take 40 mins for a newbie) and it was great! I did it in about 45 mins which will hopefully improve as the weeks go on.
I think I look like a dork with blue jeans on, but who cares. I don’t think spandex is my thing as I don’t want to show up at work looking like I’m smuggling plums.
So, saving a bit of of cash (eventually) and getting a little exercise. As long as I don’t get eaten by a puma, this should be fun all summer long!
That’s great! Sounds like an awesome trail you have there. Be careful about riding in jeans, though. You don’t want them to get caught in the chain. I ruined a perfectly good pair of sweatpants riding last summer that way. Now I only ride in shorts.
I’ve got one of those velcro pants strap thingies which amplifies my awesome biking attire while simultaneously keeping my Levis out of the chain. I ought to slap a logo on something just to try and fit in.
That’s good to hear. If only I had been so smart. I really need to get one of those straps. I’ve heard that rubber bands work just as well, but talk about dorky!
I find jeans are really uncomfortable for biking. Wear sweatpants and take another pair of trousers in a rucksack. You’ll find it much more comfortable, I reckon.
Nice commute too - mine goes past here, here, then across here. (Not while it’s open though )
I try to bike in to work at least once or twice a week during the summer months. I’ve got a great commute. It’s 12 miles one way, with a little over half of that along a nice, paved multi-use trail along a creek. I get to see all kinds of wildlife on my ride in. Much more enjoyable than sitting in traffic.
It ends up taking me only about 20 minutes longer than it does to drive in because of traffic.
It feels great too.
I usually use Bike To Work Day as my kick-off for biking in. Bike To Work Week is next week, and Bike To Work Day varies depending on your location.
In the SF Bay Area and here in Santa Rosa it’s Thursday May 15th. I’ll be out there!
)
