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Bicycle commuting is probably the smartest thing people have invented, if the distance between home and place of work is reasonable (depending on what you consider reasonable). I can reveal that mine is about 14-15 kilometres, depending on my route choice. Which I find quite a good distance for outdoor exercise. And we should see it as outdoor exercise, since many of us need to go to work, and combining exercise and work can actually be quite difficult.
I wouldn’t be a real gear enthusiast if I didn’t have ideas of how to pimp a carefree summer bike into a weatherproof commuting vehicle. Here are some points to help you out:
1. Belongings / Place for them
If your bike has a rack, I recommend a bike bag that you mount on it. Why? I don’t trust in bungee straps, and a backpack will make your back swelter. In addition, for example Ortlieb has some cool bike bags that look a lot like briefcases. Like this Office Bag. Waterproof and durable.
2. Lightning
In Finland and other northern countries, it doesn't get dark in summer nights. So, you don’t necessarily think about bike lights during the summer, except maybe in the end of the summer when you're starting to need them. First, I replaced the poor lights that came with my bike with a Petzl headlamp (everyone usually owns some kind of headlamp that they can use if needed). But now that the autumn has come, it’s good to get a more efficient lamp, for example Led Lenser B5R light series, which has an excellent price-quality ratio.
3. Motivation
I’m still thinking which model from Garmin should I get. I’m easily provoked into something reckless, and I would love to win my friends in a kilometre competition. Or at least reach the same number of cycled kilometres as them. Other statistical features would be great too. Garmin Edge Explorer 820 seems to have a good price and the features that a bike commuter may need.
4. Accessories
4.1. Bike helmet, check.
A helmet protects your head, and they sell so nice helmets nowadays that you are happy to wear them. A tip: get a helmet that matches with your bike!
4.2. Bike gloves, check.
A good grip and a windproof hand part are great when it rains and it’s windy, as it does in autumn.
4.3. Bike (sun)glasses, check.
Even though sunglasses designed for cycling may look a little bit too fast for my bike and speed, I cannot stand it when the glasses steam up because of bad ventilation. In addition, it’s very unpleasant to try to get rid of the little bugs that fly right into your eyes when you’re cycling.
4.4. Shoes suitable for cycling, check
(I have basic sport shoes that I can use in other activities, too, like running) Inov-8 and Salomon have some great models.
4.5. Good trousers, training tights are my favourite
4.6. Windproof and somewhat waterproof (breathable!) jacket
5. (BONUS) who shares the ride?
Personally, I don’t have kids, just dogs, and I don’t need to (cannot) take them with me when I leave home for work. Even though Croozer's selection includes dog bike trailers, if I happened to need them.
It’s clever to take the kids to kindergarten on your journey to work. For it, there are many kinds of safe bike trailers available for one or more kids. You can mount a trailer adapter to one or several bikes so that you can leave the trailer in the kindergarten (if allowed) for the day and anyone of the commuting family members whose bikes has the adapter can go and get the kids when the workday is over.
Kid trailers
So, let’s go back to work by cycling. It feels good to get some fresh air, experience a little outdoor adventure, and exercise at the same time, and all this happens before work. And the same thing after work: you’ll feel refreshed mentally and physically after maybe a hard day at work, and when you get home you can just enjoy your free time without thinking about the things that happened during the day.