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That’s the response I got when I asked my coworker why he doesn’t ride to work more often. It takes too much time for him to get ready. If he takes the car he can just jump in and go. But with the bike he has to (1) put on all the extra gear, including helmet, boots, gloves, and jacket, (2) then there are the work-related items that he has to put in his backpack, such as his planner, his notes, etc., and then (3) he has to let his carbureted bike idle for a minute or two before taking off. It might take an extra five to ten minutes before he can get on the road. And then there’s the hassle when he gets to work. He needs another pair of shoes at work since he doesn’t want to wear his boots all day. And then there’s the time needed to remove all the gear…and put it on again if he’s going to lunch…well, I think we all get the idea.

And I know what you’re thinking. He’s a whining little bitch, right? Well, that whining little bitch is me. Rather, it was me. When I started taking the bike to work, instead of just riding on the weekends, it did indeed seem like a hassle. It’s a fact; it takes a little more effort to ride instead of drive. But after a few years of riding, there are two tips I would like to pass along.

First, have the right mindset. Assume that every day you will ride to work. After a few weeks it will just become a habit. You’ll automatically put on your riding boots instead of your office footwear.

And second, make riding more enjoyable with a little planning. There are lots of small actions one can take to speed things up or make it more convenient. Such as: leaving your helmet and gloves on the bike when you park it in the garage. Then, in the morning, let your bike warm up while you’re putting on your helmet and gloves. Here’s another one: have two garage door openers. Leave one in your riding jacket and leave the other one in your car. If we actively seek out these personal conveniences, riding will become more enjoyable.

In closing, I must admit that I won’t be riding to work tomorrow. A bunch of the guys at work are going to the local rifle range at lunch for a little skeet shooting. I briefly thought of slinging my 12-gauge across my shoulder, strapping a box of clay pigeons to my Bandit’s seat, and riding in to work. But this is the state of New York, and I’m quite certain those antics would be frowned upon. (Vermont: no big deal.) And then there’s the safety issue. Going down on a bike with a large firearm in close proximity could result in a rather nasty puncture wound. So, the car it is.