As it is across the nation!
And with just 4 weeks to go to summer, one of the best ways you can improve your health and fitness, loose a bit of extra body weight, and reduce your carbon footprint is to bike to work!
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Wanna get pumped up about cycling in Minne!?
Check out his video, posted in May, 2010, which features Minneapolis biking the nations 1 cycling city! Interesting footage on the Hiawatha trail, the Midtown Greenway, Minneapolis bike culture, NiceRide Bike Sharing (you know, those hip yellow bikes around?, comments from Mayor Rybak, and more!
Biking to work will save you some gas money, reduce greenhouse gases, and help get you a bit more fit all at once! Plus, you can then handle that loaded Chipotle Burrito for lunch without even thinking twice about the 945 calories therein
But there are a few tricks for making it enjoyable and easy. So, here are my
6 Secrets to Successful Cyclist Commuting here in the Twin Cities:
1. The right Gear.
You dont need to spend thousands on a bike or clothing, but you do need to have a well maintained bike and layered clothing. A fat reduction review can help you build a clear summarize of what you need to focus on to achieve your fat reduction purpose if you're a novice; or serve as a reminder for these who are at an intermediate or more boost level of their weight loss plan. Applying are seven steps that can serve as methods for your personal weight loss plan. The first thing that one must understand is that losing weight and losing fat is not the same thing. Many weight loss programs have tricked people into believing that it is the same, but most diets and weight loss plans only work by producing a person's body to reduce more muscle tissue and water than actual body fat, more help please visit The Fat Loss Factor. Go to your local bike shop to get set up (NOT Walmart or Sams). If you end up riding a lot (3+ days per week), you would do well to get fit for your bike bike shop specialists match the geometry of the bike to the dimensions of your torso, arms, and legs. The basic gear will get you started, but if you do spend extra, spend it on rain gear: you will get caught in the rain at some point in your commuter lifetime, and being prepared to ride in the rain will help keep you in the saddle.
Additionally, despite the highly enviable fashion appeal of bright, multi-colored jerseys, most cyclists really are not pretending to be from the Tour de France: theyre simply trying to BE SEEN and remain upright on the roadways! And you should too. As it turns out, the best materials and workmanship normally do get tattooed with logos and sponsor graffiti (which helps pay for the more expensive materials), so they are indeed popular with experienced cyclists. Whats important is that you own something very brightly colored to be seen on the road. Yellow, Orange, and Red are best.
Youll also need a very basic toolkit for flat fixing and simple repairs.
Check out this entertaining video from the One on One Bike Shop and mpls.tv on fixing a flat (it also rolls into an interesting clip on
2. The right route.
Planning a route is essential. And rewarding. You will discover and appreciate roads and neighborhoods cycling to work that you would otherwise never see. However, some planning is required. Your local bike shop will have local maps for commuters. First look for routes that overpass freeways where auto traffic does not interchange with the freeway, and plan the rest of your commute around those: the most dangerous part of any commute is crossing a freeway where cars and trucks are accelerating into merge lanes to jump onto the on ramps. Mornings tend to be better than evenings, but you will want to avoid freeway interchanges. Bike pathways, bike lanes, and other wide avenues are normally well marked on local bike maps, but you will sometimes find local residential street routes just as bike friendly.
Plan on trying a few different options: youll need to experiment a bit to discover the best places to cross arterial roads, avoid traffic, avoid traffic lights, and feel separated from or safe with auto and truck traffic.
3. The Right Backup Plan. Perhaps most important of all have a Plan B.
Identify service organizations (coffee shops, convenience stores, bike shops) along or near the route that might come in handy if you have a breakdown, get caught in a storm, or need to rehydrate. Carry a cell phone so that you can always call a cab for a ride, or call 911 if youre really in trouble. Beware, however, that if you do call a taxi you will need a physical street address for a pickup The Park by the river bend will not work.
4. The right light.
Lengthy Minnesota days are a true delight for cyclists. Mid summer you can start as early as 5:45AM and finish as late as 9:00 PM without the need serious lighting. For these hours, you need just two things: $25 flashing headlight and a $25 flashing tail light. Buy and use these if youre riding before 8:00AM or after 7:00PM. While you may not notice any light from them, twilight hours, shadows, and sun glare make seeing cyclists difficult for motorists when the sun is low on the horizon. Youll need a more expensive halogen system if you ride earlier or later, and as daylight diminishes towards fall.
5. A change of clothes.
Plan to sweat a bit, especially in humid summer conditions. You have two choices: you can either carry a pack, or bring a change of clothes to your office the day (or days) before your ride. Supply your office with soap and sundries if you are privileged enough to work for an employer who has a shower and locker room. If not, stock your change of clothes bag with a supply of pre-moistened handy wipes. HOT TIP! Baby butt wipes do a fabulous job of cleaning the crevices and deodorizing after a ride. Youll smell a bit like baby powder for a day, but do your co-workers a huge favor!
6. The right place for your Bike.
Many offices and office building have bike racks for daytime storage. Its plenty safe to leave your bike there if it is a well lit area with plenty of foot traffic. If its secluded, however, or in a bad neighborhood, or if youre in love with your bike (which isnt too crazy heck, mine have names!), or if you simply want everyone in your office to know that you are riding your bike to work (it is contiguous!), you may prefer to stow it in your office or someplace nearby.
In 35 years of riding to work (yes, I rode to work when I was 12), Ive never been denied access to my office with my bike. You may get some curious looks and a few raised eyebrows, but no one will tell you that you cant bring your bike in the building. It is sometimes more convenient and less conspicuous to take the freight elevator or service entrance to avoid other workers arriving before you clean up and change. Mingling with coworkers in biker shorts can be awkward.
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