Tour De Force
Driving to work? Swap four wheels for two and start biking. Your body, your planet, your mind and your wallet will thank you for it...
For lots of us, every week is ‘bike to work week.’ But for many more people, each morning they stroll straight past their trusty bike and hop into the gas-fueled comfort of a car, bus or train for the daily commute.
National Bike to Work Week was officially May 11-15, but don’t sweat it if you missed the memo. Make today the day to ditch the car and hop on.
If you aren’t excited to don the lycra and get those quadriceps burning, you’re probably full of excuses ranging from the fear of messing up your clothes to being afraid the journey will take too long. Our handy guide puts those fears to rest. Read this and you’ll have no reason to bypass the bike ever again…
Here are some of the top myths, debunked:
I’ll arrive hot and sweaty
This isn’t the Tour de France, so there’s no need to overdo it on your commute. If you’ve planned and tested your route, showered before you left and are wearing reasonably sensible clothing, there’s no real reason for you to arrive too disheveled. If you’re carrying a backpack (the most common cause of a sweaty back), try a single shoulder messenger bag. If there’s a shower at work, use it - and if not, keep some deodorant there, keep a trusty PackTowl on hand, some baby wipes and no one will think twice.
I’ll ruin my work clothes
Not if you’re not wearing them, you won’t! Try taking a bag of clothes in at the start of each week (roll don’t fold them, as that stops creasing) you can change into daily, so you’re always fresh. Alternatively, if the dress code is casual, don’t be afraid to just change tees and keep one or two pairs of jeans in the office so you can mix and match.
It’ll take too long
If you live in the middle of nowhere and are cycling miles on empty roads, this might be true, but once you’re in the city, the bicycle rules. From using bike lanes and avoiding traffic jams, to not having to park your car or walk the last leg to your office’s front door, the bicycle is almost always faster and easier. And on those rare occasions it’s not? Well, your commute to work doubles as your daily dose of exercise, which means no need to hit the gym or go for a run that evening, meaning you’ll make the time back, every time.
//Did you know?
Cycling saves on CO2 emissions.
Okay, you probably did know that – but do you know by how much? Didn’t think so. According to People for Bikes, “If 5% of New Yorkers commuting by private car or taxi switched to biking to work, they could save 150 million pounds of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the amount reduced by planting a forest 1.3 times the size of Manhattan.” So… a lot then.
//What to wear…
City Premium Messenger with Joey Charger
You’re going to work, which inevitably means schlepping your laptop/tablet/notebook and likely a spaghetti of cables (and maybe even your lunch) from home to office. The crush and water-resistant City Premium Messenger with Joey Charger lets you carry it all in style and safety, thanks to the super strength Cordura nylon and reflective trim details that ensure you’ll be clearly seen. With easy access pockets and the integrated Joey power supply, you can quickly get going and charge your devices on the go, so you’ll never arrive at the office out of juice.
Men’s Glastenbury Oxford Shoes
It’s hard to imagine cycling in a leather-soled brogue, but it’s not always possible to roll into work in your favorite comfy sneakers, either. Enter our two-toned Men’s Glastenbury Oxford Shoes with soft fabric - a perfect balance of street style and comfort. We love the detailing which makes it smart enough for most occasions and as the materials are 50% PET recycled from plastic bottles, your feet will carry on the green theme set by your bike.
Mount Clay Hooded Bomber with Hyvent Waterproof Technology
It’s almost as if the Mount Clay Hooded Bomber With Hyvent Waterproof Technology was designed purely with the commuting cyclist in mind. Lightweight in a classic bomber style, it’s super versatile with easy access front pockets, a removable hood and is waterproof thanks to the Hyvent Waterproof Technology lamination - because let’s face it, you’re bound to get rained on sometime!
//Did you know?
If you own a bike you’ll need to cycle around 400 miles (roughly 100 trips to your grocery store if you live 4 miles away) instead of driving a car to cover the bike’s initial carbon footprint. After that, every mile you pedal for the rest of your bike’s life is helping reduce your carbon footprint. Go green!
//CO2 calculator
Want to know how much CO2 you save on your daily commute? Riding your bike instead of driving your car for 10 miles results in these savings:
- 0.5 gallons of gas
- the money saved on buying gas and
- 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is how much is produced from one gallon of gas
Source: Colorado Department of Transportation publication "Colorado Bicycling Manual - A Guide for Using Roads and Trails", CDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Program, 4201 E. Arkansas Avenue Denver, CO 80222