I cancelled my commuter pass for April - time to bike to work!

[Bostongirl]

I just cancelled my commuter (bus/T) pass for April, and have finally committed to riding my bike to work.  It's only three miles, but it's through a pretty highly trafficked area.  Also, I often work late (past dark), and I have to dress fairly formally for my job.  And I don't know what I'll do if it's pouring rain.

But F it, I want that extra $60/month going towards my student loan debt, and I want to be in badass shape for my upcoming nuptials.

Advice/encouragement appreciated. :)

[MrMoneyPinch]

Find out if your workplace has showers.  I like to dress and smell nice at work AND I get to my desk feeling quite relaxed :)

Edit: I am jealous because I will have to wait until May to commute by bike...

[PindyStache]

You will feel and be awesome! I'm lucky as showers are in the building (though there hasn't been any hot water for the past 2 weeks...). Have you biked to work before? I would guess in most weather/conditions you would be OK showering at home before biking in, and changing in a restroom if nothing else.

In rain, I suggest just planning to get wet, with your work clothes in a waterproof bag (or at least in a plastic bag inside another bag that isn't waterproof).

Be sure you have a good light and backups/backup batteries. Also a small roll of retroreflective tape can be creatively applied to great effect. Especially try to have something reflective on your ankles/arms/other parts that move as you bike.

You should also experiment with different routes and you will soon get a sense of which is best for you in terms of stress/danger/speed.

Congrats on your freedom! (and upcoming wedding!)

[olivia]

Awesome!  Depending on the route (if there are sidewalks), you could also try walking it.  3 miles takes me about 45 minutes to walk at a normal pace, so it's a bit of a time suck, but on nice days I love walking to and/or from work.  If you're sore from biking you could always alternate and take the T in to work in the morning and then walk home.

[Milkman666]

I've been riding my bike for a while now in some pretty fierce conditions. No problem.

I take work clothes with me every day, shower at work and put them on. Get yourself a rear rack and some panniers (saddlebags). They're totally worth it. Also, exercise your inner desire to be a Christmas tree; if drivers see you, they don't generally drive right over you.