Wendy Caldwell, Assistant Membership Director & Family Progamming Manager at the YMCA, regularly commutes to & from work on her bike from Webster Township. The 12.5 mile commute takes her about 40 minutes. Wendy, a mother of 3 boys (5th, 6th, and 7th grade!) loves her bike commute and looks forward to the alone time on her bike. "On my bike, I'm not tempted to turn on my radio, I just get to enjoy the quiet time. It’s my time.” It's also, of course, great exercise. Though as a bike racer and cycling instructor at YMCA, Wendy has found herself in a predicament many of us don't face... over exercising. "I have to remind myself to slow down on my bike commute, just enjoy a leisurely ride to work. I try to time my commute so I’m riding over Foster Bridge as the sun rises. With the mist rising off the water, it’s really magical.”
Wendy offers some good suggestions for those considering bike commuting:
Plan Ahead. Take a bit of time prior to your first commute to anticipate what you might need during the week… instant oatmeal, clothes, shoes, hairbrush, etc. Pack up those items and drop them off at work. This way you won’t be lugging a huge backpack with you on your first day. You’ll be able to focus on your commute, not what you need to carry.Test your Route. Try out your route on the weekend so you’re familiar with it and you know how long it will take. You’ll feel more comfortable the first day if you don’t have to rush or worry what the best route is.