Finding the Time to Ride

by Chris the Intern

Whether you ride for fun or fitness, finding the time to ride can be one of the biggest challenges you might face. Many of us have to balance work/school, family, household, and countless other needs when trying to fit in riding time. You might be able to easily find time to ride on the weekends but just can’t seem to fit time in during the week.

If there is one key in finding the time to ride it is the old boy scout motto “be prepared.”

Pick the day(s) you want to ride in advance and get ready the night before your ride so that you can get out the door in relatively short order after you get home. To do this I have compiled a few tips that work for me.


Prep your gear the night before:
Lay out your riding outfit
Fill water bottles
Prep a snack to eat on your way home from work or to eat on the bike
Have your bike by the door and check tire pressure (nothing will stop you faster than if you have even the easiest of maintenance to do)
Hang your helmet on your bike with your gloves inside and place your shoes nearby so that everything is within arms reach


Plan your route in advance:
I like to have a couple of basic routes planned out in advance so that I don’t have to think about where I want to ride. I’ve found the best routes for me are basic loops that you can either add onto or subtract from based on how you feel once you are on the road.


Plan your meals:
We all need to eat and when you are riding regularly eating good quality food is important. The problem can come in when you are trying to ride midweek and still find the time to make a healthy dinner.

If you have a family at home make deals with them. If they cook while you are out riding you will clean up the mess.
Don’t have someone to cook for you? Make something the night before that will leave you with leftovers for the night you ride.


Hopefully these tips will help you get out riding even more this summer. If you have your own tips/tricks that help you get out on the road share them in the comments because we can all use the help.