It is that time of the year again.

It is that time of the year again. Time to get in shape. Time to use the nice, cool spring mornings for some exercise. Why not get a bike and start commuting to work? Save time needed at the gym, save money for both gym and gas/bus/train tickets... Be green!

But don't run off and buy a fast bike and expensive clothing. It will be a short-lived affair.

My recommendation for new commuters is to get a dirt cheap offroader first. Lots of gears in the low range lets you feel good about mastering uphills. Springs on the front can be nice. I am more sceptical to a sprung real wheel. If it's a long commute a cheap bike won't last long. My first one was so worn down after 3 months it was cheaper to buy a new than to fix it. Still it was cheaper than the bus for those 3 months and by then i knew i would continue biking.

As for clothing - those padded pants are great the first season. Then you don't need them anymore. The helmet on the other hand is a must. My last one definitely saved my skull. Always wear it. On the head, not the handlebars! Where i live none of the fastest commuters wear "tour de france" clothing. That is for the noobs. So don't go wild buying expensive clothing at the bike store.

After the first season get a faster bike whenever you spend too much time in the top gear. And buy at the autumn sales if you can. Bikes are dirt cheap then. I got a nice hybrid bike that way. It is still a good bike, but is now a winter bike with spiked wheels. For summer use i got a full-blood racer for a birthday. Thank you, Cecilie Selsvoll Monsen​. Now that i can utilize that beast it is fast, and i love it. I can get to work almost twice as fast as when i started commuting. Had it been my first bike it would have left me exhausted and disillusioned. Now it puts a big grin on my face when i ride it.