Prospective bike commuting plan: feedback wanted
Prospective bike commuting plan:
I am looking for feedback on the soundness of this plan and anything I have missed. I have never commuted by bike other than to class while in college and that was in the last century.
The general plan is to initially travel to work one day a week via bicycle. The route is 20 miles one way. The only way to get from A to B includes 2000 ft of vertical climb. From my house to work there are 3 substantial hills to climb and the reverse is true on the home trip. There is a reason they call it the South Hills of Pittsburgh. There is one section of heavy traffic of about 3 miles at the end of the home to office trip. I can bypass the heavy traffic by adding another 500 ft climb and a mile to the trip. Figure 2 hours one way.
Plan on using a standard road bike with a compact crank 12/25 rear. I can not see the need to go with a backpack or other stuff. Flat kit, blinky light & cell phone of course. Since riding or driving would be dictated by the weather report - no rain kit but a rear fender sounds in line.
I run our family business and figure to keep a set of clothes to change into at the office. I do not have a shower so I guess the folks will have to get used to it.
The ultimate backup plan is if the weather man is wrong(gee when is he right?) or something comes up, I can take the company pickup truck home that night. Then the next day return the truck and ride the bike home.
The plan has nothing to do with saving money or the planet, just getting some riding time. If it works out then maybe go to 2 or 3 days a week. The question, has anything of great importance been overlooked?