The Observation Deck

Since we’re talking bikes today....

Next week, May 14-18, is National “Bike to Workâ€Â

Thanks for the post, Tim.

I bike to work, Terminal Tower, during nice weather months (by nice I mean above freezing) and when I don't need my car during the work day (unfortunately, I need it on most days).

This "exercise" takes pre-planning. Here are some tips that may help folks have an enjoyable bike commute:

1) Obviously, keep a set of clothes at work including shoes. Fortunately I have a tall cabinet in my office perfect for clothes storage. Sometimes, I'll just bring a pair of sneakers the day before I plan to bike and leave my dress shoes at the end of the day.

2) A towel or washcloth will be needed when you get to work. Fortunately, it's cool in the mornings minimizing my production of sweat. Even so, you'll need a wet cloth to wipe your face, arms, etc.

3) Plan to arrive at work 20-minutes before co-workers. Nobody wants to see you changing and cleaning-up. Nor do you want your boss to think you are wasting company time getting ready for work at work.

4) Keep your bike visible during the day. Co-workers will be intrigued and possibly motivated.

5) Get yourself a Camelbak or small backpack to carry personal items, tools and inner tube (hex set, screwdriver), water and a couple of bucks worth of quarters.

6) Rush Hour Riding Tips - Always keep your head on a swivel. Keep a sharp alert for potholes, parked cars, broken glass and jaywalkers. Always adhere to the rules of the road.

7) Short summer hair-cuts are the greatest. Take it “down to the wood,â€Â

Tim,

Just back from biking to First Federal. My office is in downtown Lakewood so I bike to work whenever possible. Thanks for the reminder about next week!

Tim,

Biking to work is a great idea. Unfortunately, I work in Brecksville. Do you know if there are any car-pool groups? it would be great if Lakewood residents who work further away could get together and car pool.

Jennifer

I wish I could bike to work, but I work in Mayfield Village. I just started riding again so that's probably a little far for me at this point, but perhaps one day!

I have made it point though to ride my bike around Lakewood whenever possible instead of driving.

Good hints David....

Let me relay one thing I think most people won't believe. At the risk of “too much informationâ€Â

Tim -

"Sweat doesn't smell." True dat, Tim. True dat. Hilarious.

I'll likely be able to ride next Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and will make it a point to go by Phoenix around 7:15-30 am.

Thanks much for your original post and for mentioning rendezvous points, etc.

Perhaps we'll meet next week.

OK so yesterday (Monday) the normal ride leader (Brendan McNamara) asked me to lead the Bike to Work ride tomorrow (Wednesday). I said sure. Little did I know about the weather forecast. Brendan is the guy who was in the picture in the PD article last Friday.

According to the weatherman it should stop raining by 7:25 AM tomorrow at Phoenix. So here's the deal. One year's free membership to BikeLakewood for anyone who joins me tomorrow. This is not a Board approved offer but I'm sure they would agree. It's not about the money. It's about cycling. Meet at 7:25 AM at Phoenix or 7:50 at Arabica.

For what it's worth I don't work downtown. I work in Middleburg Heights. So the last two days it's been Lakewood to downtown to Middleburg Heights back to Lakewood. It's good exercise.

We've had a decent West Side turnout yesterday and today. Someone is gonna surprise me tomorrow. Will it be you? David?