Rapid Transport:  Overland Equipment's Open Mic Messenger Bag in distressed canvas with leather trim gets the job done....in style.  Terry's Cargo Skort in Chocolate with super comfortable chamois looks great on and off the bike. 

Fall has arrived and believe it or not, it is perhaps the best time to ride a bicycle.  The cooler, dryer temperatures are actually less stressful on your body while engaging in this sort of aerobic exercise.  With the right clothing and gear, you can turn your bicycle into a virtual second car. Why not unless you actually enjoy paying nearly $4 for a gallon of gas?  You'll soon find you can bike a lot of places!

We're going to show you how to use your bicycle to go work, shopping trips, lunch and run errands.  If you are concerned about arriving at any of these destination points dressed in Spandex, say no more!  Terry Precision Cycling not only makes the best women-specific bicycles in the world but she also offers a fashionable line of cycling clothes that well, don't look like something Lance wore for the Tour de France.  We also have mountain bike wear that doubles as streetwear from fast forward companies like Zoic.  No, we didn't forget the accessories either so we have Angle Tech Panniers and Overland Equipment Bags for the trip.  Understanding that cooler weather cycling requires covering exposed areas, we went to GORE BIKE WEAR for their under the helmet Balaclavas and Signature cycling cap shown here and Turtle Fur for their Knits and a funky Chantel Hat which work great no matter what you're doing.

Planning Your Commute-Going to Work

If you want to begin using your bicycle to get to work, you can start off with a few essentials such as a well constructed messenger bag and cycling pants or a skort that look great on the bike as well as off.  Overland Equipment's Open Mic Messenger Bag,(photographed at the top of this page), will easily accomodate a notebook computer, cell and your office essentials.  The guitar strap is especially comfortable and with a bag like this, you need not invest in on-the-bike panniers or trunks unless you really need the extra cargo space.  Depending on your office dress code, you may wish to pack a pair of dress slacks such as the ones from the Limited.  They are made for travel as they do not wrinkle and will still look great after being packed in your messenger bag.  If your place of employment does not have a strict requirement for dress, you can don a sporty pair of Knicks such as these from Zoic and their Ride With Me 3/4 Sleeve Cycling Jersey pictured here to the left.  The Knicks come with a removeable chamois for those longer commutes and the Ride With Me Jersey is made from bamboo fiber with an eye for eco-friendly materials. No need to change with a cool outfit like this.  Dress once and you're good for the day! 

Going Shopping & Running Errands

If you are going to the mall, lunch or running a few stops around town, you may want to add a set of panniers or at least a rear rack trunk to your bicycle shown here and in the photo above.  This will allow you to bring home the bacon or other items too large to fit in a messenger bag.  I use Angle Tech Techwind Panniers on my touring bicycle and they are super-light, very visible and cut down on wind drag. They also come with a set of inner bags to separate things like clothing, food and other essentials.  I've gone to the farm market and purchased potatoes, onions, apples, etc. for my family of 5 and it all fits with room to spare.  If you are going to the mall or lunch, I would recommend a more fun, upbeat outfit with Zoic's Knicks shown here which are amazingly comfortable and stylish.  Another fashion-functional idea is Terry's Cargo Skort in Chocolate, paired with some opague, chocolate tights.  This will give you a little extra warmth and since tights are very much in fashion this fall, you'll look great!  Terry thought of all the details and added a comfortable chamois to the shorts and large off-set cargo pocket to this rip-stop fabric biking skort. 

Cool Weather Cycling Accessories

There are other items you'll want to have to help make your bicycle commute as comfortable as possible.  As the mornings are often cooler as the fall advances, you can put on Terry's GT-Jersey shown here which is super soft, warm and looks fantastic anywhere.  With zippered pockets and rear pouches, it is a cycling jersey and jacket in one.  Add Terry's Full Fingered Light cycling gloves and you'll be super comfy while riding.  When it gets around 50 degrees & even a little below, you'll appreciate these essentials and you'll want to add a GORE BIKE WEAR Balaclava for extra protection from the cold wind.  You won't believe how comfortable it is to wear.  What we liked about this Balaclava is that it is thin enough to fit under your bicycle helmet and with the nose and mouth vents, it lessens fogging. Perfect for cross training during the winter months too.  You can see the GORE BIKE WEAR Balaclava pictured here and their Signature cycling cap at Terry's GORE Store at: http://www.terrybicycles.com/gore 

Turtle Fur makes a very thin, super-light beanie,(shown in photo above), which also fits comfortably under most helmets.  These pieces give both your face and neck warmth and comfort against those headwinds.  Get longer season wear out of this Terry's Cargo Skort by adding a soft pair of opague tights in the same color.

If you are concerned with "helmet hair" after getting off your bicycle, Turtle Fur makes a very jaunty, Chantel Hat of 55% wool & 45% viscose shown here in black.  Speaking of hats, Turtle Fur also offers beautifully made 100% Merino Wool Knit hats such as Franz & Olaf with a no-itch liner. This is great cross training wear and makes the perfect head covering for your early morning autumn walks and jogs making the transition beautifully.  The bag pictured here is Overland Equipment's Carmel model and is a bit bigger than their Open Mic Messenger Bag but with the same organizing features plus a place to hold two water bottles!

Cycling Nutrition

If you are getting out on the road early, you'll need something quick, highly nutritious and easy to digest.  That pasta you had for dinner last night might help a little but you'll need some good glycogen and protein support for your muscles to do their job.  Besides water, (remember to put a water bottle rack on your bicycle if you don't already have one), an energy bar is going to be your best friend on the ride.  Skip the soy products though as it can be very hard to digest when what you need is instant, available energy.  Try raw nuts such as almonds, walnuts and pecans, juicy berries and yogurt.  Here's a smoothie recipe with ummph!

Cycling Commuter's Cosmos

1 Scoop Chocolate Protein Energizer by Rainbow Light

1/2 cup frozen mixed berries, (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)

1/4 cup raw Almonds

1/2 cup Yogurt

1/2 cup ice

Blend all these together at high speed and drink before hitting the road.  Can also be added to your drink bottle but water may be the better choice while commuting.  I also like to add Rainbow Light's Immuno Build Just Once to my daily routine during the cooler months.  It gives some extra insurance against the sniffles that can so often follow a windy ride.

Start out commuting with reasonable goals.  Try just doing errands within a mile or so of your home.  Before long, you'll be going much further and not even feel it.  Wear low, laceless shoes, (velcro tab closures), with a stiff sole.  This will give you extra power for pedaling.  Dress in layers so that as the day gets warmer or cooler, you'll be able to adjust. Last of all, invest in a flashing bicycle tail light. Mine is by Trek and clips right on to their cycle trunk pictured on my touring bike.  It is a very bright LED light and is easily visible even in full sun.  Don't leave home without it!

Our special thanks to Terry Precision Cycling, Zoic, Overland Equipment Bags, Turtle Fur Hats and GORE BIKE WEAR for their beautiful yet functional clothing and accessories for commuting by bicycle.  All of these fabulous items and more can be found in Terry's Fall 2008 Catalog at: http://www.terrybicycles.com/  These fine companies also supported my Rett Roll Bicycle Ride for lovely young women like Megan Riegelman pictured above on the two-seater trike.  Team Megan's, (aka the Tie Dye Family), relatives and friends turned out in droves for this fantastic event.  You may visit our participating company websites as they are listed under our Cross Training Gear header on the upper right hand side of this page.

On that cell phone again?  No need to announce you've arrived by bicycle anymore.  The right clothing and accessories allow you to look and feel great commuting.  Hooded jacket-Romeo & Juliet Couture, leather shoes-Born of England, cycling helmet-Rudy Project, ultra light cycling gloves-Pearl Izumi

"I can do all things through Christ, (Messiah), who gives me strength." The Apostle Paul, Phil. 4:13