Stupid newbie question about leaving the house...

[Brenhden]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to motorbiking and I love the idea of popping out for an hour but it seems to take me so long to get ready that it disuades me from trying. Also I'd love to leave the car behind and ride to work but the combined clothes changes and pre departure faff means it will take more than twice as long. Below is my routine, its so longwinded its comical:

Start off in pants...
Put thick socks, longjohns, thermal vest and base layer on (all from Aldi, thanks for the tip guys!).
Head downstairs and open the front door so I don't get too hot before I leave.
Slide into riding jeans and then head back upstairs to hunt for belt
Put boots on.
Fill backpack with wallet, phone and keys.
Grab helmet, gloves, snood, jacket, backpack and take them all outside.
Put snood on as hat.
Move car so bike can come out.
Take locks off bike and fire it up so it can warm.
Put jacket on and backpack, (take backpack off again and check zips are done up).
Put gloves on.
Take gloves off again as I can't do my helmet up with them on.
Put helmet on.
Go to put gloves back on and realise I need a wee.
Take helmet off.
Turn off bike.
Have wee.
Struggle out of backpack to get keys to lock front door, put backpack back on (wonder if the zips on backpack are done up and decide f*ck it I'm not checking again).
Put helmet on.
Put gloves on.
Start bike again.
Leave house on bike.

Is this standard?

Bren

[Nigel]

Yep joy of being a biker :laugh:

[Bonniebird]

Is this normal? :laugh: :laugh: Been there, done that :laugh: For a newbie the answer is probably yes, but it doesn't take long to get the routine down to a fine art

[Jelly]

Just get up earlier. :whistle:

[Gripper1974]

You'll soon learn to manage your time and get it down to a slick routine. Don't forget it's winter now , summer makes things easier :woohoo:

[numptyspence]

don't park the bike behind the car :laugh:

[Peejay]

That's all pretty normal.
After 35 + years of biking I'm still doing all of the above.

Except that I have two pees!!

[Brenhden]

Thanks everyone.

I guess summer will be easier, glove liners are a massive pain in the bum.

PeeJay, I'm not far off myself.

Spence, thanks to my lovely city centre location it feels like I need the added security.

Cheers guys

[africajim]

Dress as you normally do, pull on a one piece quilted waterproof suit, throw on a helmet and gloves and go to work! A topbox is a better answer for carrying your shit, just unclip and carry it in with you.
Get to work, suit off, into topbox with helmet and gloves, sorted!

[hodgerydoo]

Good post :laugh: thanks, it either gets quicker and slicker or you just forget how easy the car was. I take my daughters to school in the car then go home and get on the bike, it used to take me ages but now everything seems to get thrown on quicker, I bought some thermals from Primark but I've been riding all winter without them; I found them too hot off the bike and my jacket and trousers have a winter liner that seems to be enough. I wear a pair of cheap wooly gloves and a pair of waterproof mitts on top, the trick is to pull your hand out with the inner glove still on, leave it in and you cant get it on again. A top box makes life a lot easier and as you get more experienced your ride will get smoother and quicker so it won't be taking you twice as long as the car, and yes you've the sunshine to look forward to so keep it up.