29DEC2015

Sometimes the best way to get yourself to commute to work in the morning is just to start pedaling.

Preparing yourself for the ride is a good thing, especially if the weather plans to nestle in the thirty degree fahrenheit range (it was cold this morning). However, at some point, no amount of planning makes the mundane any easier. Rousing one's mind is the most challenging part to each day of commuting (especially before sunrise), but it can also be the most rewarding...

I think if you have not experienced happiness and relief in sometime, you should wake yourself up before the break of day and head east on your bike. I never feel so happy that the sun rises--that there is light! It boosts the soul.


A while ago, my wife wondered what the heck was so great about "fat" bikes. Apparently she did not share the same excitement I had for running over virtually everything in your path. As a commuter, the Pugsley by Surly does pretty well; sure, you have to resign to the fact that roadies on their carbon fibre skinnies will blow right past you, but you get to take in the environment so much more (as well as find some sweet trails you could never touch on anything but a fatty)!


I like finding hacks that totally work and save money. The Metolius Rope Ranger pairs well with the Jones H Loop bar on the Pugs. With almost no modification, this rope bag turned handlebar bag rarely shifts or moves, even when fully loaded! I haven't tour-tested it yet, so I will write about that experience in the near future. Bottom line: pretty much anything from Metolius is the bomb, whether you are a climber or not; they are a brilliant, considerate, worthwhile company to purchase from.

A cool feature on the Rope Ranger is their use of these "6" shaped adjustable hooks. They are not expensive, if you are planning on stitching together your own bags (around two bucks per) and on the Ranger bag, they help to hook/unhook the bag to/from the bars quickly and hold securely (I've bombed down quite a few stairs and they show no sign of shifting--coooool)!


Saving the best for last...my Christmas present!! This telescoping, roll-top seatbag from Carsick Designs is DOPE! The only problem is that I want to carry so much more stuff to work than I need to, just because the bag can fit it. Made of DWR material, my clothes for work have yet to get soaked on the way to work. My gratitude goes to the Bicycle Business for carrying such cool stuff and supporting this local, well-made bag company.