Last time we looked at helmets, bags, lights, and security. Now let’s plan your route and get you on your first commute.
Unless you’re starting a brand new job, you’ll already know the route your car, bus or train takes. However, it may not be the best one for cycling. Open your favourite map app and put in your start point, finish point and that you want to go by bike. You may get a few options, some may be shorter but with steeper hills, others may be on busy roads. Zoom in and select what you think will work best for you. You might even find some shared paths that may be longer but take you away from traffic. If you have fellow cyclists at work, ask them for their favourite routes. You could even consider a hybrid ride and use train or bike-friendly bus for part of your trip.
It can be handy to do a dry run on a quiet weekend morning and get a feel for the effort and time. Take your time and maybe come home a different way. You could also stop at a cafe or take a train home if you have a station nearby. Knowing your route will make your first actual commute less stressful.
All that’s left now is to go ahead and do it! If you can, check the forecast and choose a fine day for your debut ride. Before you go to bed, get everything ready for the morning. Get up early and if it’s cool, dress with layers, remembering you’re going to warm up as you ride. Allow yourself plenty of time to both get to work and to cool down. Check the tyres are still pumped up, helmet on, lights on, and off you go. Don’t be ashamed to get off and walk your bike across roads or up hills. It’s not a race, it’s a personal challenge. Once you get to work, give yourself a pat on the back. You faced your fears and did it. Now all you have to do is ride home and do it again tomorrow!
Your first ride will be a huge learning curve and you’ll have things to work on and improve. Don’t be discouraged if it wasn’t all plain sailing, most routes have good parts and not so good parts. Focus on the good bits and work out how to improve the other bits that didn’t go so well.
Next time we’ll look at a few tips to build confidence and make your ride safer.
Check out the rest of the Commute by Bike series
- A series to help start your bike commuting journey
- Choosing a bike for commuting
- You and bike commuting
- What stuff do you need for bike commuting?
- Route planning for bike commuting
- Safety tips for bike commuting
- Motivation when you start bike commuting
- Pimping your ride for a bike commute
- What clothes do you need for bike commuting?
- Maintaining your bike for commuting
- Watch-outs for bike commuting
- Coping with road rage when you commute by bike
- Going electric or going alternative for your bike commute
- So you’re a bike commuter. What next?
