The Gear

Being married to a planner has really benefited my life. Grocery lists are made before we get to the store. Vacation plans are prearranged, usually with Groupon discounts on restaurants and random fun. I mean, in Las Vegas, we knew where and when to get cheap sushi, what casinos had the best odds and lowest table limits, and how to get show tickets for cheap, and none of that was thanks to me. Crisi makes the plans, and all I have to do is pay for it and enjoy the ride. Pretty sweet!

So, when it comes to planning out this bike commuting experiment, I feel like I should take a page from Crisi’s book and prepare a gear list. For your reading pleasure, I will now think aloud everything that I will need to be ready for a day of school after a 4 mile ride:

The clothes:
- T-shirt, tennis shoes, athletic shorts, Crocs for the ride in and the ride home
- Clean button-up shirt, khakis, belt, dress socks, dress shoes, occasional necktie

Nourishment:
- 2nd breakfast for when I get hungry (‘bout 9:30, before my first class starts)
- Lunch (I avoid the cafeteria except in the most dire situations)
- Snack for after school and the bike ride home
- Water bottle

Bike:
- Helmet
- LED lights for front and rear of the bike
- Bell
- U-lock
- Mini air pump
- Spare inner tube
- Tire lever

Toiletries (to stay at school:)
- Deodorant
- Hair jelly (I’m a Dapper Dan man)
- Aftershave lotion
- Wrinkle releaser
- Washcloth for freshening up

Extras:
- Cell phone
- iPod
- Chapstick
- Classroom keys (very important)

This sounds like a lot, which it is, but half of it will be attached to the bike or stored in my classroom closet, and the other half can be packed the night before. The only question is, “Where will I get my coffee in the morning?”

If I forgot something or you have some suggestions, comment below!