John May says if you enjoy cycling as a hobby, it’s an easy transition to cycling as a way of commuting. However, it doesn’t come without its hurdles.

“The biggest challenge is figuring out a way to not be sweaty the whole day in an office setting after biking to work in the morning,” he said. “This sounds like a difficult obstacle to overcome at first, but it’s amazing what can be done with baby wipes, soap, a sink, and a towel!”

Biking to work is a great way to save money, help the environment, and improve your health. Sixty minutes of biking at a leisurely pace can burn up to 300 calories. It’s also an easy method to reduce stress and start your day on a high note. “Biking to work is significantly less stressful than driving,” May said. “My travel time when I bike to work is predictable, as opposed to when I drive to work, and accidents or traffic can pop up.”

His commute from his Lake Mary residence via biking is roughly 10 miles, but luckily, he can utilize trails to get to and from his office at a public relations and marketing firm in Longwood.

“If you’re thinking about commuting by bike, first step is to make a plan,” May says. “Think about what you might need to have with you and bring it the day before or use a backpack to carry what you’ll need.”

While Florida is known as the “Sunshine State,” Florida residents know that the weather can change at a moment’s notice.

“I try to bike to work twice a week, but the summer rains make it a little difficult to reach my goal,” May said. “I still managed to squeeze in some summer rides, but summertime requires a little more diligent planning for the weather. I’m looking forward to fall and winter and being able to bike to work without a threat of rain.”

He always looks forward to putting his cycling abilities to the test in Central Florida’s many biking events throughout the year, including the upcoming Love to Ride Florida Challenge.

“I enjoy participating in the Love to Ride Florida Challenges in the fall and spring. Looking at the high number of miles some people ride inspires me to ride more, and it is uplifting to see smiling faces enjoying bike rides throughout Florida,” he said.

May loves all the physical benefits of riding his bike but especially enjoys it as a fun activity that he and his loved ones can do together.

“I like biking with friends and family because it’s a great way to get the heart rate up a little, but still be able to have a conversation,” he said. “There are a lot of trails in Florida where you can stop to rest and chat while taking in the beautiful scenery together.”

If you’re on the fence about whether or not biking to work is for you, visit the reThink Your Commute website and see if there are any bike-to-work events coming up in your area. It’s also a great one-stop shop if you have any questions about biking safety, are interested in joining a biking group or taking a biking class, or need other resources related to biking in Central Florida.