It has been amazing to see the number of folks riding to work in the morning. To encourage those who might still be thinking of commuting by bicycle, I thought I would repost this description of how I do the commute thing.

The system I have for getting to and from work is fairly simple:

My usual commuting bicycle is an old single-speed that I have put together from a box-full of old parts sitting around my basement and garage. It’s not an expensive bike at all and, in fact, you really shouldn’t let the cost of the bike prevent you from commuting. The frame dates back to the early ‘70s when I was leading bike trips along the south shore of Lake Superior. It is the last of the fleet of cheap Czechoslovakian bikes purchased by the summer camp where I worked. Initially the only new parts I bought were tires, tubes, fenders, a one-speed freewheel and a chain. Total investment under $75. More recently I added a new set of wheels and some Schwalbe tires (more like tank treads), which increased the investment, but I really wanted to treat myself. Still that only added $225. [Ed.’s note: even more recently added a newer crankset.]  I don’t say this to brag, but simply to illustrate that you don’t have to invest in a lot of high-priced equipment to commute by bike.  My simple single-speed is all I really need.

At the office I keep a supply of shirts, pants, a belt and a pair of shoes. I also have a towel and washcloth, stick of deodorant, a pair of cotton gym shorts and a cotton T-shirt.

Each day I pack an undershirt, a pair of underwear and a pair of socks. I carry these in a messenger-style shoulder bag that doubles as my briefcase during the day. I ride a very easy pace to my office in the morning – I don’t work up much of a sweat in five miles. [A note on the shoulder bag: The one I use has an extra strap that acts as a belt around your waist while you ride. It really works to keep the bag in place on your lower back.]

Once at the office, if I’ve gotten damp from the ride, I wet the washcloth, wipe myself down and towel off. Then I change into my gym shorts and cotton T-shirt for a bit of a cool-down. With my door closed and a small fan on, I answer e-mail, listen to voice mail and look at the news on the web. This little routine takes anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes. By then I’m ready to change into my clothes for the day.

My building does have a shower facility available and, from time to time, I have signed up for access to that. It’s an extra twenty five or thirty bucks a month, but I find my routine to be sufficient. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m lucky to be self-employed and have my own office. It makes my routine easier. I don’t have to worry about a supervisor getting on my case about how long it takes me in the morning or whether I have a damp towel hanging behind my door.

In the afternoon, I change into my riding shorts and jersey, hang my pants and shirt back up in the office, toss my underclothes into my bag and head for home. I find that pants and shirts can go for several wearings before needing a wash – pants easily, shirts only if you let them air out for a couple of days between wearings and, too, only if you don’t get all sweaty during the day.

I ride from early March to mid-November and frankly prefer commuting in the cooler weather. As the seasons change and days are shorter, a set of lights and some reflective clothing becomes as essential as some warmer clothing. I have simple battery-operated head- and taillights that clamp onto the bike. I also have a reflective vest that both provides warmth and visibility.

A couple bike-specific items that I have come to appreciate are the leg and arm warmers that many shops sell. They are made of the same lycra as riding tights (lycra with a very thin brushed fleece lining) and are perfect for those transition times when its chilly in the morning on the way to work, but too warm in the afternoon for long sleeves and tights. You get the best of both – long sleeves and tights on the way to the office, shorts and short sleeves on the way home – without the bulk of carrying one set of clothes each direction.

We’re always interested in hearing from readers. Please log in and share your approach to commuting.