Alie and I live an active life. Well, at least we feel active most of the year. We are much more active during the summertime when we spend our free time camping and hiking. During winter, we are both swamped with school and work, making it challenging to get outside. It also happens to get dark early, and I leave the house before sunrise most mornings. It can be challenging to find the motivation to get outside when it is cold and dark. These challenges are what inspired me to start bike commuting.
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My Journey to Mountain Biking
I’ve always enjoyed mountain biking. I first ventured into the sport back while I was still in high school, although you might not recognize it as mountain biking. We liked to take off on our bikes and journey through the desert surrounding my home in Arizona. The bike I had wasn’t a mountain bike, but that didn’t stop us from venturing down the social trail looking for cool drops.
When I moved away to Flagstaff, I found myself looking for more opportunities to enjoy the forest. Eventually, I acquired a mountain bike and quickly began exploring the trail systems of Northern Arizona. Soon, I relocated back to the desert. However, my love of mountain biking didn’t fade, and I soon discovered the rich trail systems around Phoenix.
Eventually, I landed in Colorado and worked for a sporting goods retailer. During my stint with the company, I purchased a hardtail mountain bike for a reasonable price. Although I’ve upgraded my trail bike, I still have my hardtail.
Bike Commuting
I have often liked the idea of bike commuting. Over the years, I have worked with several people who took advantage of bike commuting opportunities. However, many factors prevented me from commuting on my bike. Some of these challenges were easier to overcome than others.
One of the biggest challenges of bike commuting is proximity to where you are going. In the past, I lived long distances away from work. We are talking about 15 miles or more. In those cases, bike commuting didn’t seem reasonable for my situation. Eventually, I found myself living within a few miles of work, which finally allowed me to consider bike commuting seriously.
If you live close enough to where you work to consider bike commuting seriously, you’ll also need to consider your route. Unfortunately, most cities in the US don’t have great bike infrastructure. In Colorado Springs, the city has only decided to prioritize bike lanes on roadways in the past few years. This has resulted in more bike routes, but the network is poorly connected.
Even if you have bike lanes nearby, you might find that part of your route requires traveling over dangerous roadways. For instance, I lived under 2 miles to work at my previous job. However, it was uphill along a busy roadway that lacked a bike lane or sidewalk. Riding meant I would have to ride in traffic. On that roadway, cars averaged speeds of 50 mph while I was riding about 4 mph. Over the past 3+ years of bike commuting, I’ve learned that most drivers aren’t looking for bikers or don’t care. In that case, the risk wasn’t worth the reward.
Essential Gear for Bike Commuting
Let’s say you live close enough to work and have a reasonably safe pathway to work. To make commuting on your bike pleasant, you will want to get some basic gear to help you start. You can start simple and add equipment as you go. However, I recommend initially investing in a few basic items, particularly safety items.
Of course, you need a bike. Honestly, any bike will do. That old hardtail I mentioned before? I put a set of hybrid tires on it and use it as my commuter. Many cities have bike share or e-bike programs. You could utilize those services to try bike commuting before you invest in a bike if you don’t already own one. If you have an old bike you haven’t ridden in a minute; I recommend taking it to a local bike shop for a tune-up. This will ensure your bike is ready to go and prevent any breakdowns while you are getting the hang of commuting.
Lights
One of the first investments should be a set of bike lights. It might seem sensible to pass on purchasing lights, especially if you plan to ride during daylight hours. However, I recommend always having and using lights while riding your bike. Think about motorcycles. Most have a pulsing light that is on all the time. This helps draw the attention of drivers to the pulsing light. A bike light will do the same thing.
I have been using these lights since I first purchased them in 2020. At 350 lumens, it is bright enough to light up the bike lane on those dark morning commutes. They also have a flash setting, which I typically use during daylight hours. Some cars will start to pull out from a parking spot or a side road and quickly stop. I am certain it is because the flashing light drew their attention.
The great thing about this set is that it also has a rear light that attaches to a bike seat post. The rear light has an adjustable rubber strap. These days, the rear light is attached to my rack pack. After adding the rack, I purchased this Sunlite Tail Light to make me more visible.
Front and rear lights for a bike. They are rechargeable and have lasted for over 3+ years of commuting in rain, shine, and snow.
Backpack
Another essential item you will need to get started with bike commuting is a backpack. A backpack allows you to carry a change of clothes, lunch, coffee and water bottles, and other necessities, such as a laptop and wallet. You’ll want to ensure your backpack is large enough to support commuting, so a small hydration pack might not support your needs.
My bike backpack is from Proviz, a UK company specializing in highly reflective gear to help bikers and joggers be more visible. I literally glow in the dark. It is also compatible with most hydration bladders, making it easier to stay hydrated on the ride. If you are looking for something functional that helps keep you safe, I recommend the Proviz backpack.
The backpack comes in several different sizes. I use the 30L pack because it makes it easier to carry my extra layers home, especially in the winter. If you don’t need to carry as much stuff, they also make a 20L pack suitable for most riders. Do you need more visibility? If so, check out the fully reflective version here.
The 30L version of a highly reflective backpack. Functional and improves visibility while riding.
Helmet
It should go without saying that you should wear a helmet when you ride a bike. It is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment for any rider. I would recommend you try on helmets to find one that fits you best and looks good. I use a helmet from SixSixOne, but several other brands and styles are available to suit your style and needs.
Gloves
A good pair of bike gloves is recommended when biking. They will keep your hands warm when it’s cool and control sweat when it’s warm. Gloves also protect your bike grips, extending their life and preventing slippage on gear triggers. Gloves keep your hands clean if you have to adjust your bike. Plus, they look cool. On warm days, I’ve been using these gloves from Inbike. When it is cold in the morning, I slip an old pair of ski mittens over my bike gloves for extra warmth and wind protection.
Maintenance Equipment
Unfortunately, breakdowns sometimes occur when riding. While you can generally avoid most issues with regular maintenance, some things can’t be avoided. It is important to ensure you have the right tools and equipment in case of a mechanical failure on your way to or from work. I suggest a kit with a multitool, tire levels, and a small CO2 inflater like this one.
You should also carry an extra tube in case of a flat. I prefer Bell self-sealing tubes, which you can find here in various sizes.
Keeping your drive train clean and lubricated will improve your ride. At a minimum, you should clean and lubricate your chain regularly. I tend to clean and lube my bike chain at least once a month. I use a 2-in-1 cleaner lube like this one from Finish Line to keep it simple. Spray on, let it sit for a minute, then wipe off, and you’re ready to get back to riding.
Clothing
You’ll want to consider your clothing to make bike commuting more comfortable. I’m fortunate to live close enough to work, and my professional dress code is fairly casual so I can ride to work in my clothing. If your job requires you to dress more professionally, you might need to bring a change of clothes. The most important factor will be comfort on your ride.
I suggest wearing tapered pants, such as joggers. Flowly and wide-leg pants will touch the chain. At best, they can get dirty. At worst, you might get your pants’ leg stuck in the chainrings. A loose-fitting shirt or fabric that pulls moisture away from your body will help keep you cool and comfortable. If you are like me and commute in cold weather, you’ll want a jacket that blocks wind, rain, or snow. Make sure the jacket is breathable. It tends to get swampy if your jacket doesn’t breathe.
My ears tend to get cold, so I always have a lot of gear to stay warm. First, I use a headband to cover my ears in moderate temperatures. Once the temperatures dip into the 30s, I use a balaclava, which offers more protection from the wind. I also use a helmet cover to block the wind and light precipitation from coming through the vents in my helmet. These basic items allow me to ride comfortably most days in the winter when the temperatures are around our seasonal averages.
Closing Thoughts about Bike Commuting
Bike commuting does require discipline. I ensure I have all my gear laid out and ready to help me get out the door in the morning. You will find many other benefits with a little planning and a willingness to stick to it.
Riding my bike to work helps me save money and stay fit. On average, I save about $150 each month just on gas. Besides saving money, biking helps me stay in shape and ready for our other outdoor adventures. The CDC recommends adults get 150 minutes of exercise each day. Each week, I get about 100 minutes of exercise just from riding. Biking home is also a great way to get warmed up for my other workout sessions. Overall, I have to say that biking makes me much happier, both at work and at home.
If you decide to give bike commuting a try, let us know about your experience.
Happy Exploring!
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A rack and pack combo for your bike. I use it to carry my shoes, a water bottle, a travel coffee mug, and my lunch.
