Words and photos: John Prosser

As another working day begins in the San Francisco Bay, many of its 7 million residents face the realization that the trip to work or school will shortly need to begin. For some, this is a daunting prospect of a journey full of frustration as they crawl along in stop start traffic over crammed bridges or sardine packed commuter trains. The lucky ones however, can walk or even if you’re really lucky cycle.

There is a lot to be said for commuting to work on your bike. I love it. For me it’s a “win win” situation. As life brings on more responsibilities and demands on my time it seems harder and harder to find the time to train. So it is a huge advantage for me to use the hour plus commute productively. The time I would have spent sat on the bus traveling to work has turned into an enjoyable ride instead. The 2 hours I ride to and from work has also become my training foundation.

There are a number of advantages in commuting by bicycle.
• The efficient use of valuable time that would have been wasted sat in traffic is now transformed into time on the bike.
• Actually arriving at work fully awake and ready to go!
• The inherent good you do for the environment by taking the bike. One less car on the road!
• I like the split training day. I find it more beneficial to have two hour long rides at the beginning and end of the day than one two hour ride.
• Saves you the bus/train/ferry fare that could be spent on a new Neil Pryde bike!
• Unless you puncture the journey time is very predictable on a bike – no traffic jams or delayed buses/ferry or trains.

There are few tips worth considering before you start commuting by bicycle.
• Safety first – try to select a route that offers bike paths if possible or at least roads that have some room for bicycles.
• By all means dress like your favorite professional rider in the day but if cycling at night dress like a Christmas tree! The LED lights now are superb but the old school fluorescent cloths and better still reflective bands really help to get you noticed!

My commute starts from Mill Valley in Marin County at the base of Mt Tamalpais to the financial district of San Francisco which is a scenic 14 miles around the Bay. The trip starts with sweet bike paths to cycling friendly Sausalito before a short climb up to the Golden Gate Bridge. This stunning bridge offers dramatic views of the Bay and infamous Alcatraz Prison Island as you pedal along on your own path divided from the poor souls sat in traffic. A quick roller coast descent on recent constructed bicycle paths takes you down to Crissy Fields with its wide flat multi use paths all along the shore heading towards the City.

Finally, after Fort Mason I need to venture on the roads and face some traffic. Here I researched the route with the best bike lanes provided on the roads to facilitate a safer journey into the heart of the City and my place of work.
This hour long ride has only one climb up to the bridge and plenty of nice flat bike paths to ride along and together with the beautiful view it is just a wonderful way to start and finish your day.

See all pictures in HD at www.flickr.com/neilprydebikes