I am intrigued by biking more, but it is still at the Big Deal stage for me. I do not have the experience that many of you have and while I am gaining confidence, I wonder if experienced bikers would offer up their tips for making it as easy as jumping in the car.
For example, I have a rack, but fumbled around with strapping my backpack on there with bungees. This made it hard to grab things in and out of the pack and very fussy to quickly dismount, lock up and head on foot inside to my final destination, as well as get going again once ready to come home.
I also had to plan ahead like all morning to think of all the things I would need - clean clothes, a washcloth and towel for my destination, etc. Plus then I had to leave way early to make sure I'd have enough time, and I did, it was fine.
This sounds whiney but isn't meant to be. I believe that in learning a new skill like biking as a mode of transportation one has to "practice," and this is that. I did the same thing when I rode the bus for the first time. I mapped the route, read how to buy the tickets, was at the stop way early, observed all the other bus riders, etc. Obviously if I were to do this bike ride again I'd know the route, wouldn't be nervous about traffic (hey! there are bike lanes on that main road!), would have a good idea where to put my bike once there, etc.
It just made me think that it would be awesome to have all the biking tips for newbies in a single place. There have been so many biking threads and they are great but it is hard to go back through them to mine for usable tips.
Thanks all for being an inspiration and for hopefully obliging me.