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On of my favorite alternatives to the hotel gym when I’m on a business trip is renting a bicycle. I’ve ridden along the lakefront in Chicago, through the busy streets of Amsterdam and Munich and, most recently, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco to Sausalito. I shot the photo accompanying this post while in Barcelona. Their citywide system was geared for locals so I never did get to ride one of these though I admired the well-used operation. And next time I get to Paris…le Velib! (Though Gulliver reports that it isn’t user friendly, at least for first timers)
As biking has become more popular, bike rentals have become more available at a wide range of destinations. A simple Web search will likely turn up options and for just a few dollars you can get a glimpse of the city you are visiting that isn’t possible any other way. Most rental agencies will offer you a helmet and lock as part of the rental.
Some hotels are beginning to offer bicycles as a service to their guests. Both the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA and the Liberty Hotel in Boston have a mini-fleet ready for the road. The Chic Cyclists blog reports that in addition to these, Element — the LEED certified Starwood offering, the James Chicago, and the Bowery NYC have two-wheelers on hand.
One of the great advantages of bike riding on a business trip is that you don’t have to bring a lot of gear. In fact, you can ride in business attire (as you’ll observe many commuters doing in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and other European cities — and more and more often in the U.S.). You simply moderate your speed so that you don’t build up a sweat. Of course that’s easiest in a flat city.
On my recent ride in San Francisco , part of a Saturday Night Stayover, I was happy that the ferry was an option for the ride back as the ride back up to the bridge is one serious hill (and, truth be told, I was returning with four bottles of wine that added to my ballast:) .
Have you pedalled your way across town while on a business trip? Have a business biking story to share? Leave a comment below.
