Pulse
Biker Docs
Three Twin Cities physicians who’ve swapped gas pedal for foot pedal tell what it takes to commute by bicycle.
Some Twin Cities physicians choose Trek over Toyota for commuting even in wind, rain, sleet, or hail. Why do they do it? What special gear do they need—especially in bad weather? And how do they negotiate icy roads and subzero temperatures? Here, three physicians share what it takes to be a biker doc.
Live close to work. Soon after he and his wife sold their car in 1972, radiologist David Hunter, M.D., started commuting to the University of Minnesota from Sunfish Lake, near West St. Paul. “It was roughly 12 or 13 miles each way, but by the time fall came around, I realized it was untenable,” he says. Hunter has since lived within two miles of campus—close enough to walk, run, or bike.
Find the roads less traveled. “Cross traffic and turning are the real hazards,” says cardiologist Thomas Kottke, M.D., who is able to take bike trails for all but two blocks of his commute from his St. Paul home to the HealthPartners Riverside Clinic in Minneapolis. He says the biggest danger on his way to Regions Hospital in St. Paul is riding in the bike lanes along Summit Avenue near William Mitchell College of Law, where people are parking on the street and getting in and out of their cars. “If someone opens their car door and they aren’t paying attention, you can really get hurt,” says Kottke, who’s had some close calls. Hennepin County Medical Center’s (HCMC) Scott Davies, M.D., admits he prefers the lesser-traveled Bloomington Avenue in Minneapolis over Portland and Park avenues, which have bike lanes but are often clogged with cars and buses.
Have the right bike. Hunter says if you’re going to ride 12 months out of the year, consider a bike with gears that are internal to the rear hub (think old three speeds, rather than today’s 21 speeds, which use exposed derailleur systems). He says bikes with internally geared hubs, the modern versions of which come with seven or eight speeds, require less maintenance because the gears stay cleaner. Kottke says he alternates between a road bike in good weather, a mountain bike in snow, and an old Schwinn with fenders on wet days.
See and be seen. For HCMC’s Davies, that means using a high-powered Halogen headlight pack that runs off a battery and fits in a water bottle holder. The battery also powers a red, blinking light on the back of his bike. Kottke has two reflectors on the backpack he wears, two headlights, two tail lights that flash, and reflectors on his helmet; and he wears reflective ankle straps for dark, winter travels.
Carry only the necessities. Kottke says he leaves neckties, a couple of pairs of pants, and several pairs of shoes at his office. “I bring a shirt, underwear, and socks,” he says. He also carries a repair kit with enough tools to remove a flat tire, a spare tube, a pump that attaches to the bike frame, and a $20 bill for emergencies. Rather than tote papers or a laptop, Davies carries a USB drive the size of a pencil in his knapsack to transport work between office and home. Another necessity: a good bike lock. Even if you park in a garage, such as HCMC’s, you don’t want to take your chances, he says.
Have a place to change. A locker room with a shower is best, but an office with a door will do.
Dress for the temperature. For every 10 degrees the temperature drops, add a layer of clothing, says Kottke. The bottom layers should be made of a material that wicks away moisture (cotton traps perspiration against your skin, making you colder). Also, start out a little under dressed. You’ll warm up as you go. For more tips on how to dress and what equipment to use in winter, check out www.icebike.org.
Protect your face and head. Wear glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from the wind. And, of course, don’t forget a good helmet.
Cover your hands and feet. These are the body parts bikers say get coldest and need the most protection. Heavy, well-insulated gloves that are also pliable enough for maneuvering the gearshift and brakes are a necessity. Hunter recommends wearing thick socks inside unventilated boots. And if it’s really cold, wear a plastic bag between your socks and shoes to trap the heat. “Lots of people use more high-tech stuff, but I’ve found it to be perfectly adequate,” he says.
Protect your lungs. Hunter’s best-kept biking secret for riding in cold temperatures: a stiff surgical mask with a hole cut in it. Fresh air enters the hole and warms in a recirculating zone inside the mask. “It’s a nifty low-tech solution that allows you to breathe slightly prewarmed air so your lungs and throat don’t take such a beating,” he says.
Dress your bike for bad weather. Davies swears by steel-studded tires for riding on ice and snow. Hunter recommends outfitting your bike with fenders, as they can keep you from getting sprayed with slush and water from the road.
Take care of your bike. Be good to your bike and it will be good to you, says Hunter. He advises doing yearly maintenance, which includes cleaning and repacking the hubs; cleaning the drive chain; checking the shifter; checking and tuning the brakes and making sure they align properly; and checking for dirt in the headset, the bearing assembly that connects the front fork to the frame. Hunter says such a tune-up costs about $75. “If I did it twice a year and got new equipment and really overdid it, I could spend $250 a year. That would pay for one minor fix on a car,” he says.
Enjoy the ride. Kottke, Davies, and Hunter all agree that commuting by bicycle is a painless form of exercise that doesn’t involve going to the gym. “Besides,” says Kottke, “it’s a heck of a lot of fun.”—Kim Kiser