Commuting

74 Main Street Middlebury Vermont (802) 388-6666

Why commute?

	A brisk ride in the morning boosts your energy level and helps motivate you for a productive day on the job.
	A well-paced ride home helps you wind down and distance yourself from job-related stress -- or it can help you celebrate a job well done!
	The exercise will help you get a better night's sleep.
	You'll be saving $3/gallon by leaving your car home.
	Do your part in helping to reduce the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide to below 350 parts per million. The level at the end of 2010 was 388 parts per million. It is rising by 2 parts per million each year and will continue to do so if we don't reduce our emissions. Click here to see why these numbers matter.

Commuting by bicycle -- you've been thinking about it, and this year you've decided to do it! Here are some things to consider.

How Often?

This depends on time available, distance, daylight, terrain, your level of fitness, and the kind of bike you have.

Rain or Shine?

If you want to commute regardless of weather, set your bike up for all conditions, with key items like fenders.

How Far, and What Terrain?

Almost any bike will work for a commute from just outside of town. Here are three examples of Addison Country commutes where you want to have a well-geared, reasonably light bike, preferably without suspension:

	Middlebury <----> Bristol, 12-13 miles each way
	Middlebury <----> Brandon, 16-17 miles each way
	Middlebury <----> Vergennes, 12-13 miles each way

After Dark?

Early and late in the season, it pays to have good front and rear lights, even if you normally don't ride after dark. It's as important to be seen as it is to see where you're going.

The Things You Carry

What do you take with you, and do you carry it on you or on your bike? You may find that a fanny bag or a backpack will do the trick, or you made need to carry enough to consider a rear rack.

Clothing

It's great if you can leave a change of clothes at work, but do you have access to a shower (and the time to use it?) Or can you ride at a pace that will just let you towel down and change? Or can you just ride in your work clothes?

Bike Storage

Will there be a place to lock your bike outside your workplace, or will your employer let you bring the bike inside? Here's one of our favorite tips from a commuter:

"I commuted 20 miles to and 20 miles from work, spring, summer, and fall, and while my company did not allow bikes in the office, they did have an excellent bike parking rack in a sheltered location. My bike was fairly expensive, so I wanted to use a really rugged U-lock, but I didn't want to carry it with me. I decided to leave the lock attached to the rack, and voila: not only was I spared the weight of my U-lock, I also had a reserved parking space waiting for me every day."