Tips And Tricks for The Commute

Rider: Johannes
Bike: Rove LTD
Commute: one way 12km d+100m
Route: quickest bike path asphalt route in the morning/ extended route gravel rides every noon if there is time
Rides per week: 2-3 depending on the weather
Motivation: beat my boss in the commuter challange/ love riding bikes too much
Location: Upper Bavaria (Germany)

Rider: Sébastien
Bike: Honky Tonk or Jake the Snake
Commute: one way 11km d+150m
Route: quietest path or route in the morning/ extended road or gravel rides every noon if there is time
Rides per week: 3-4 depending on the weather and the planning
Motivation: Like to see the sunrise / love riding bikes too much
Location: Fribourg (Switzerland)

Preprare your kit / everything the night before

Have a little frame or bar bag with a repair kit and to put stuff like gloves, buff, keys, phone, and lock when riding.

Have good riding glasses that you can use in the morning when it’s dark and also at noon when the sun is out

Double-check the weather to avoid a rainy surprise or too cold fingers

Store some breakfast at work so you don’t have to carry it (you will be hungrier after riding)

Lock your bike lock at the bike garage at work so you don’t have to carry it each time

Take a spare t-shirt with you and leave a pair of casual shoes at work

Put some bigger tires on the road bike and fenders

Install a bag rack to carry stuff which is really cool in summer when you don’t want to have anything on your back.

Always have a “buff” as it takes no space and allows to be comfortable with temperature variations

Always wear a helmet

Use good lighting so you can be seen

Start a commuter challenge with your colleagues for extra motivation

What better way to start the day than by riding with the sunrise and feeling the first rays?

Try different routes, even if you know your way around you can always find some shortcuts or new unknown paths

Avoid roads with cars or lots of traffic, and try to get a whole bike path or even some gravel stretches to yourself because no one is awake.

Don’t be in a hurry in the morning. Take a little more time to ride at a comfortable pace and enjoy the moment #itsnotarace

If the distance is too long, it may be possible to combine the bike with the train or other public transport

You have always something to tell/ a small talk topic with other bike interested colleagues and you’ll earn respect from your colleagues

On the way back from work it is possible to extend the journey to make a small tour

stepping onto the bike after work is a way bigger stress relief than sitting in the car in the traffic jam
right after you leave the doorstep of the office you immediately do what you love the most