Preparation

Preparing to do it takes longer than actually doing it. I had to rethink what I brought to work and things I might start leaving at work. I also had to do a quick tune up on the bike and learn how to mount a bag to it. The first time is the hardest I’m sure and now that it’s done I think I could evolve a good routine for prepping on an ongoing basis.

The morning

I woke up this morning at 5am and biked to the gym. It was colder out at 6am than it is at 7pm. Other than that the ride went great. It felt like drivers are less alert in the morning, so I was careful.

Locked up the bike outside the gym. Workout went great. Did chest and triceps; ended with crunches and pushups.

Got back on the bike, pounded a protein shake, got the quickest route from there to work on my iPhone, and headed off. The first 10 mile journey to work commenced. Somewhat surprisingly the roads I took were largely part of the reverse of my 2 hour night rides. Being the reverse, I got to bike UP hills I’d usually be biking DOWN. So that was interesting.

There were some breathtaking morning views of the valley that I hadn’t seen before. Unfortunately didn’t take a pic today because I was anxious about completing, but I will definitely take pics to post one of these times.

A couple morning bikers blasted past me. I didn’t think they were in that better shape, I think their bikes were better than mine. That’s okay. Doing it the hard way might make more muscles. Or so I’ll tell myself until I get a chance to buy a better bike.

The ride took 50 minutes to cover 10 miles. That’s a 12 mph average. Normal for me.

As I pulled in to work I started seeing coworkers. And they saw me, in all my sweaty glory. Haha. My hair was all over the place, face was red, clothes were nothing like they’d seen me in before, except maybe on Facebook. They were largely congratulatory. It was cool. Some may just hate me a little more. Ha. They’ll get used to it.

Then there was the matter of “getting ready for work.” There’s no shower. Only bathrooms and the washcloth I brought. I left my bike in the warehouse and jumped into a single room bathroom with my “workout bag” and went to town. Ultimately felt super refreshed just like a shower. I thought it might suck but I felt quite fresh.

Coming back

The ride home was smooth. Seemed faster than the ride to work, but turned out to be only a few minutes shorter. Seemed like it was mostly downhill but it could have been because I’m more familiar with biking that direction, as like I said, it is part of my 2 hour night route.

Seems like there are a bunch of upsides to doing this:

• The day biking is safer than the night biking perhaps because of visibility. Both seem dangerous enough though. Will need to stay vigilant.
• I like the “necessary exercise” of commuting with the bike. Otherwise it’s an extra thing instead of an essential thing.
• It seems like I make better time in the morning and at night and end up with an extra hour at night. I think this is the time I save between morning gym and home.
• I will save lots of money on gas.
• How could I ever get fat again if I bike to work every day?
• I appreciate beautiful mornings and views and smells (not counting the car exhaust).

Downside: did I mention it is dangerous?

So all’s well with the biking to work. Gonna do more of it. How much more? Hard days only?  You may be the first to know.