The Sweat Factor

Topography and geography always comes up as a justification for Seattle's slow move to having a true bike culture. It's not Portland or better, it's not Copenhagen, we have steep climbs that sometimes extend for blocks. It makes a casual, easy ride seem impossible; never mind the idea of riding into work in a skirt and heels.

First, having a lighter bike with 5+ gears is a great start. I also found that having a basket or panniers takes the weight off of your back, making the ride easier.

Second, know your route and avoid huge climbs. The City of Seattle has a list of the highest elevations here. Some of the rides I've found to be the easiest to get from point a to point b are below.

• The Burke Gilman will get you back and forth from Ballard, Fremont, Gas Works, and University District.
  
• The Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop will be you between Eastlake, South Lake Union and Fremont.
• Stone Way is a  slow and steady climb to get from Gas Works to Wallingford.
  
• Getting from Downtown to Capitol Hill is easiest via Pine or Pike.
• Getting from Fremont to Downtown is easiest via Westlake or Dexter.
  

Finally, know the bus schedule. Now that the weather is colder and I'm not using my bike home as a workout - I've started to the 8 to get up Denny from the gym. If you become familiar with times and routes, it's makes those hills pretty easy. Check here to see how to load your bike.

image via ninjatira.

Cargo Bikes

Another option in getting your goods where you're going is a cargo bike. They seem to be the perfect option for someone with children, someone that uses their bike for grocery shopping or getting equipment to work, a person that lives somewhere flat, &/or a person with a couple thousand to drop on a bike. I think they look super fun & really convenient (just not for me & these Seattle hills).


Metrofiets are handmade in Portland, OR


Bakfiets are pricey & foreign, but can be bought at specialty bike shops like Clever Cycles (Portland), Rain City Bikes (Vancouver, BC), and Dutch Bike Co. (Seattle) .


Joe Bike sells a variety of cargo bikes in varying costs & uses; Portland based of course.


Yuba Bikes sell in the states, but are German based & reasonably priced.


Madson Cycles are another stylish option & available across the US.


Christiana Bikes also seem nice, though I'm not sure they are available outside the EU.

Other resources include: Bikefix & Cargo Bikes (the list).

Getting It There

Carrying your lunch, clothes or other things to & from work can be quite a hassle. Should you carry it on your back, or should you make your bike do all of the work?

Bags
I've been using a Gama-Go messenger bag for the last two years, but often find that it doesn't hold it all, not to mention that it weighs me down & wrinkles my shirt. While I love the look of Chrome, Timbuk2, & R.E. Load bags, I was discouraged to find that I'd be dropping hundreds. I also looked into waterproof panniers & courier bags at REI, again, I was shocked at the price for something that didn't even suit my style.

Using a messenger bag can be tough on your lower back & when it's hot out I find that having a bag against my back makes matters much worse. If you are like me & haul a lot of stuff to & fro, a bag is often tricky, unless you rock a large Chrome Metropolis, which I thought about often. The positive to using a messenger bag is that it can easily go where you go & serve a purpose other than cycling.

Getting a sturdy bag that is both comfortable, stylish & functional will run your over $100 & can move closer to $200 as you upgrade. As usual, I'll recommend checking Ebay or Craigslist for secondhand deals.


Chrome


Timbuk2 - check out their bag builder to create a custom piece


R.E. Load

Rack Options
I just installed a rack on the rear of my bike & I'm sold on its convenience. It would have been easy to put on myself, but I had the folks at Velo do it since it was already getting other work done. Not only do I have the option for panniers or a basket, but I can rig up almost anything using a bungee cord. Until I find the perfect basket or bags, I plan on sticking with the bungee method. With that said, I may pick up a net like this one.

I also love the idea of a basket - one that is easily removable for taking into grocery stores, my apartment or work. This rattam one is super cute, this black one seems nice & subtle, & this white one has a touch of girlie (oops, I just bought this); all of these run between $17 & $55. Don't forget about front baskets either; I personally love the super simple wire, but wicker also floats my boat. Oh oh oh & I lust over this as well, the Carrie Swedish Lace Basket.


Eleven81


Eleven81


Carrie Swedish Lace

Then there are panniers, which seem to be a bit harder to find around these parts; Dutch Bike Co. carries the FastRider Line & London Cycle Chic has some to lose your cool over. Instructables shows us how to make our own & these knitted panniers are so sweet. Want to spend top dollar? Check out these designer bags from Gruppo Bici. Again, more utilitarian panniers can be found all over; Amazon, Rei or Bike Somewhere.


Safari Bags from London Cycle Chic


Gruppo Bici


FastRider at Dutch Bike Co.


Via A Lovely Thing

To Work

I woke up this morning ready to get on my bike for the first time since getting home; I have a hair apt in Belltown after work & cycling is the quickest way to get around for me. as I was packing my bag & figuring out what would fit, I decided that today I would bike to work in what I would wear to work. Geared up in my AA pencil skirt, patent flats & my new summer jacket, I took to the streets. getting to work in street clothes doesn't ever seem to be a problem, it's always the uphill ride home that has me worried. If I'm feeling too styley to ride my bike up that hill, I can easily ride down to Denny & put my bike on the #8.

Commute stats: 60 & sprinkling, 2.55 miles, 15 minutes, no drama
Route via G-maps Pedometer