Get Your Pedal On

Thank you for returning to Executive Nomad. Wondering why don't we feature reviews of the sites we recommend? Find Out.. If you haven't already, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed

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.