Class, what did we learn from this morning’s attempt at getting up and riding to work?
The night before…
Verify that you have all the clothing items you require when you get to work. Shirts and pants aren’t enough. Socks and underwear are also important.
Make sure that the cycling clothing you use, be it lycra gear, or simple shorts, is clean and ready to wear.
Verify that your bike is in working order. Check the tire pressure, at least, and if it’s been a few days, check the lights, fenders and chain for proper operation.
Verify that all your gear is accounted for, and not strewn about the house, having, perhaps, left it there after a long and tiring ride a few days before. Going back and forth from the garage to the driveway to the house to the garage to the house to the driveway, etc., is frustrating. Avoid it.
Check the weather so you’re not discouraged by a few random drops that look like they might be much more, but aren’t.
In the morning…
Leave yourself time for unforeseeable emergencies.
If the dog doesn’t eat his breakfast, check the house out for puppy accidents, b/c he’s probably not feeling well. Preferably, don’t wait until the last minute, right as your leaving, to do this.
If you have carpet, make sure you have carpet cleaner.
Ah, an epic journey without leaving the house! I’ve had a few mornings like that. Once, I got all the way to the bus stop without any of my stuff other than my self and my bike. That was a 9 mile commute to get 3 miles, and I almost got run over to boot.
Then, there’s the “don’t pack your panniers the night before if you’re excessively tired” tip. Because when you wake up, and throw your panniers on to head out the door, you actually think you have everything. Won’t YOU be surprised to find out you’re going commando and wearing white socks with black pants and dress shoes???