I don’t know what is more stressful. Surviving the workday or my early morning commute to work on my Moto Morini motorcycle? Both of which I have done, successfully. And both of which, are always different and never the same. Yet, what I have learned in the past month of commuting to my office job on my motorcycle is that the Charleston AM rush hour is a beast unlike anything I have experienced before. Though, I will say the PM rush hour has its own demons, but the energy, and complete utter chaos of the morning commute is in a world of its own.

Everything is turned up to ten. EVERYONE is in a hurry. Me included. As fall season is beginning and winter is near, the duration of sunlight is limiting. This makes for a very interesting situation when you must ramp up the RPMs and haul ass or get eaten by the beast of the morning traffic. As much as I studied and prepared myself for commuting to my job, one to two days a week, on my bike, is about all I can handle at the moment. Add to the equation, the occasional accident, traffic jam, and everyone exceeding, and me too, the speed limit, the experience is unlike anything I have felt before.

I have a few tips for my fellow motorcyclists to survive the AM rush hour:

PREPARATION: This is key. Make sure the night before your bike is in great shape. Nothing to offset your commute. Remember, if you leave for work early in the AM, during the fall/winter season, it will be dark. Having to make an adjustment in the dark is very hard. Also, make sure to rest and eat. Nothing spells damager on a bike than an empty stomach and fatigue. Get rest and eat. Finally, I spend about 10-15 minutes before I ride into work practicing my slow speed maneuverers in an empty parking lot. This helps me to be “dialed in” during my ride.

RELAX: The main thing that I experience is the rush and speed of the AM commute. I always have to remind myself that I am the fastest vehicle on the road. So use speed and your experience to get out of the packs of cars if you can. Also, I am a big fan of the side roads. Though they are busy too, the Interstate near me is usually a shit show in the AM. The side roads offer a better view and is funnier ride. Once you are in the thick of it, RELAX. Don’t tense up. Allow your training and experience to kick in and beware of your surroundings. Everyone wants to get to work, and they will do anything they want to get there. Keep your eyes focused on what is happening ahead.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED: I always try to keep traffic surprises to a low. I do my best to anticipate that a car WILL cut me off, WILL make an erratic U-turn, WILL swerve into my lane unexpectedly. I do my best to ensure that what CAN happen WILL happen, so that my surprise level is reduced, panic buried a little, and I survive. 8)

I have learned in my early morning commutes, is after a ride into work, the workday is not as stressful. Surviving the chaos of the AM rush hour really puts things into perspective and makes dealing with me work email inbox in the morning, a piece of cake.

Rolf