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ePaper created 2016-04-04, 21:01:23 | version 1.33.0
14 • April 2016 • COAST • www.coast-magazine.com By Rosemary Austin SINGLE-TRACK MIND Work wheels Follow these tips for stress-free daily bicycle commutes A s the days grow longer and the paths clear of ice and snow, a new bike-commuting season is upon us. Admittedly, Anchorage has a growing number of winter bicycle commuters, but spring is when many riders decide to leave the car at home and ride to work, school or the market. New commuters will learn how to get around town and hopefully they will stick with it. What’s the key to sticking with it? Preparation. The first step is to determine whether you have the right bike for the task. Almost any bike can be a commuter, but some work better than others. In my early years of commut- ing, I used my mountain bike with knobby tires and a clip- on fender. I used a backpack because I didn’t want to add the weight of a rack to the bike. These days, I use a steel-framed touring beast with smooth tires, a rear rack and fenders. I’ve shed the backpack in favor of waterproof panniers. My back is happier and less sweaty when I arrive at work. Whichever bike you choose for commuting, make sure it fits you comfortably and that it is in good condition. Your local bike shop can evaluate the bike for you. Remember, if you’re not safe and comfortable on the bike, you probably will not enjoy your commute. When I first began bike commuting in the late 1990s my ride to work was about two miles. That is, if I wanted to ride the sidewalk along Spenard Road the entire way. Which leads to the next tip: Plan a route you will enjoy. I asked a few friends about their first times commuting and some said they preferred a more scenic, less stressful route than one that was most direct. This was some- thing they learned after taking the most direct route, where they were faced with a multitude of curb cuts and intersections. These days, my commute is about nine miles each way and I’m fortunate that I can ride through a park for part of it. It’s definitely my favorite part of the route. Another thing some friends learned the hard way is that the best time to choose your route is not on the first day of commuting. In- stead, choose a day when you’re not working to plot your course on a map – the Municipality of Anchorage publishes a free bike map that includes trails, paths and streets with bike lanes or slower speeds – load your gear as you would for work with clothes, lunch, snacks, water; and then time your ride. (Look for the map at www.muni. org/departments/parks/pages/trails.aspx). After you’ve made your practice run, you’ll need to park your bike. Not every workplace has a good place for your bike. If you have the choice of a parking rack that is in plain sight or one that is tucked behind a shrub, go for the one that’s out in the open. Higher visibil- ity can keep a bike thief from tampering with your lock, which you hopefully have remembered to bring with you. I recommend a U- bolt style lock, which is more secure than a simple cable lock. If you have access to secure bike storage, don’t hesitate to use it. However, lock the bike regardless of where it is stored. Once you have secured your bike, you should have enough time to change clothes and be ready to work. This is often the part people worry about most – that they will have body odor or their hair or clothing won’t look professional. This is another area where planning helps out. I find that if I shower in the morning and then dry my hair before putting on my helmet, I’m fine: no odor. For added measure, I often wear a lightweight wool base layer top at work and on the bike. Wool doesn’t get stinky as quickly as synthetics do, so they are great for commuting and for wearing at work. As for my hair, if I brush it while it is still damp from perspiration, it turns out fine. Also, keep a change of clothes at work so you always have backup, and after you change, don’t forget to hang your padded shorts and other cycling clothes so they can dry before the ride home. I can’t talk commuting without addressing safety. Wearing a helmet and bright jacket or vest are at the top of my list. My next rule of safety when riding the roads and street-side paths is to remember that to most drivers I am invisible. I can never assume that I will be seen by the driver making the right turn on red or the one pulling out of a neighborhood street and across a path. I also can’t assume that when the signal turns red all of the cars will stop. Even though we have rights as cyclists, we should remember that most drivers are not looking for us so we need to be diligent about our own safety. Despite the challenges of commuting, there are many benefits to riding to and from work that can only be understood after you have done it a few times. Among those are being more alert and energetic at work, feeling physically and mentally healthier, and at the end of the day enjoying a more leisurely bicycle ride home. Once you get the hang of bicycle commuting, you’ll wonder why you waited so long. Rosemary Austin is author of “Mountain Bike Anchorage” and a longtime commuter, cyclist and cycling advocate. JEFF SCHULTZ/ALASKASTOCK A cyclist pedals over the bridge at Tudor Road in Anchorage. When commuting, try to bike a route that you enjoy taking, not just the most direct route.