This year I have chosen to ride my bike into work (42 miles round trip) at least once a week to save gas and build my weekly workout into my every day life. As a family man, (two young boys and a wife), it’s sometimes difficult to get a long bike ride in each week. This is a way for me to do that. I hope these tips help push you to go out of your way to make this happen. It has been life changing for me, and I hope I always get to do it.

- Drive your route before hand and set your odometer so you’ll ensure that you have a safe route and can plan your time so you’re not late for work.
- Choose a back road route, even if it adds mileage to your route. Not only will this be a more safer option, but it will also be more peaceful. I hate having to focus on vehicles during my ride.
- Take your change of clothes the day before work so you don’t have to wear a backpack.
- Find the closest shower within walking distance from your office, or just bring tons of deodorant and calogne so you don’t stink up the office.
- Leave as early as you can to avoid the height of the morning traffic.
- Get a flashing seat light for the back of your bike in case you have a foggy or dense morning.
- Wear a helmet and a fairly bright jersey to ensure that you’re seen by vehicles
- Take a tube change and pump, or co2 cartridge in case of a blow out.
- Take a cell phone. I never know when I might have an accident and need someone to come and pick me up.
- Tell a friend or family member that you’re commuting into work, and have someone on standby in case you need them to pick you up for any reason.
- Check weather conditions. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in a thunder storm on a ride.
- Eat right the night before and for lunch to ensure strength on the ride, and so you’ll feel good throughout your day.
- Make sure you have scheduled any meetings within walking distance of your office, or have a ride to your meetings, because you won’t have a car that day.
- Ride offensively. I now see about every third car texting, talking on the phone or putting on mascara.
- Look around at God’s creation as you ride.
- The most important is to BE SAFE!

If you use these tips above, and decide to ride into work at least once a week, it could end up being the most peaceful and fulfilling part of your week.

These are things that help me have a successful, peaceful, and fulfilling bike commute to work each week. It also helps me build in my weekly workouts into my every day life. It’s the only way I can make it happen some weeks.

PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO EMAIL ME (daniel@danielcwhite.com) IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS TOPIC. ALSO, HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF COMMUTING TO WORK? IF YOU HAVEN’T YET, WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK?