Anyone ride their bike to work??

Question

(with gas prices going up the roof)

i am going to start riding my bike to work, it would be a 5 mile ride (1 way) and was wondering what kind of things would i need to take with me to help me in my ride and to get ready for work.

i would be changing in a bathroom with a sink (no showers)

so far i have:

my bike, wipies & work clothes/shoes (and water of course!!!)

anything i missed?? lol i know there has to be way more... or any tips or suggestions?

any and all info will help thank you!!!

Answer 1

5 miles is getting towards the long side for a commute;  you'll need tools and a spare tube and patch kit and pump unless you can call someone if you get stranded.   A small windbreaker/rain coat would also be in order as the weather can change greatly from am to pm.   I'd get in the habit of checking out the WeatherChannel for daily and hourly forecasts to be better prepared;  I never leave on a ride w/o checking weather.com for the hourly forecast and radar.

Answer 2

You could pack a light raincoat in there in case it's raining when you leave work so you don't get soaked.

Answer 3

Helmets are really really really important, if you are an adult (I'm assuming you are) it takes much longer for your wounds to heal.  When i was a kid i fell on my head; but luckily I had a helmet on; i could have had some serious brain damage if it weren't for the helmet, but instead i literally felt nothing.  Trust me on this one, if you fall straight on your head and you have a proper helmet, you won't feel a thing.

Sunglasses are extremely useful when you are riding in a sunny state, and it prevents particles from flying into your eyes when you ride.

Riding 10 miles a day might seem exciting at first, but after a while it may get boring, so if i were you I'd invest in an ipod or mp3 player or something of the sort.  Trust me, when you are running or cycling on a daily basis, music makes times fly.

Cell phones are a necessity.

My last tip to you is to invest in a great butt-pad.  If you are not 110% satisfied with your butt-pad right now, get a new one.  Sitting on a comfortable seat for 10 miles a day is a must!

Answer 4

If you live anywhere it gets warm, have a little bottle of baby powder on you.  You'll laugh and feel silly now, but you'll thank me later!

Answer 5

i agree with the one above me

Answer 6

You might consider a pair of cycling gloves.  And I'm not sure whether or not you're going to wear cycling shorts, but they will feel better in the long run than a gel seat.

Do you have a small tire pump?  Or some quarters to put into a gas station air machine?

A good mental attitude is a great thing, too. :-)  Some days, it's hard to get out the door.  Good for you for doing this.

Answer 7

A small first aid kit may be handy.  Hope you don't need it but just in case.

Answer 8

Take a sum of all responses:

Water Bottle

Baby Wipes are good

A kitchen size towel

Deodorant

Small First Aide Kit

Air Pump & Pathces (in case you get a flat you need BOTH)

Rain Poncho (a one time use one from a dollar store is good)

A Back Pack to pack it all in)

And the most important thing BIKE CHAIN OT BIKE LOCK if you can bring inside the building, make sure it's locked up!

Answer 9

a back pack to hold it all. deodorant also