I just don't know what I enjoy more; riding my bike to work, or not going at all. This is ride your bike to work week. I try to ride to work every now and then. Mostly for the experience and exercise and to enjoy the weather. But, it's also a great way to introduce the sport to your co-workers and let them know that you care about reducing your carbon footprint, and your fitness level.

Here are a few tips for making your ride to work safe, quick, clean, and keep you from looking like a complete tool:

1. Take a change of clothes - you don't want to get the rap as a the 'stinky bike commuter guy'. And your socks are especially going to get dirty.
2. Take some cologne/perfume, and deodorant - Some workplaces have shower facilities, that's ideal. But if that's not an option, go to the bathroom when you hit work, strip in a stall, wipe the sweaty parts down, and spray down with some smell-good-stuff.
3. Build plenty of time in - Ride your bike to work on a weekend first. You don't want to ruin your "save the world" vibe by showing up late.
4. Consider an alternate route - You drive to work in your car one way. But your bike route might be different. If you have greenways or bike lanes on roads along the way, you'll definitely want to take those to make the ride safer. You'll always want to consider shortcuts too. You can cut through rail yards or parks with ease ans sometimes cut traffic lights and stop signs out. This reduces your risk and can even help you get to work quicker than in your car in some instances.
5. Some will think you're the coolest, some will think you're a dork - So what. The ones who think your a dork might not think so after they hear how much exercise you're getting and in some cases how quick bike commuting can be. You can curb some of this the taunting by wearing stylish commuter clothing instead of spandex. . You can also keep your stuff organized so that when you get to work you aren't in the bathroom for an hour with everyone wondering what the heck you're doing.
6. Bring a spare - I've learned this the hard way. Roadsides are full of nails, staples, and scrap metal that fall off industrial trucks. You will get a flat. So know how to change that flat, and know how to do it quickly. Get off the road for Gods sake too.
7. Be ready for rain - Take a rain jacket at the least. Rain showers can pop up in many parts of the country without warning. And have a back up plan in case something bad happens and you need a friend or family member to pick you up.

There are many benefits to riding your bike to work beyond the exercise and reducing your carbon footprint. You can take your bike cruising at lunch and even encourage your coworkers to ride along with you. It can be a real bonding experience and a way to get the office exercising. There is also a Ride Your Bike to Work Day on June 15th. So if you can't get others to do it regularly, maybe you can just get them to do it once. Go ahead and start the conversation now and see what happens.

Tomorrow we'll feature cool new products that could make your commute easier and more enjoyable.

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