Commuting - Worst and Best Commute Times?

First off, other than one post on the Roadkill thread this is my first post here so hello y'all. I'm a mountain biker primarily and I commute to try and keep my weight down and keep in shape. My commute is about 8 miles each way unless I take the long way home which I try to do on a regular basis.

I live east of town so my commute is perfect times, west in the morning and east in the evening. So I am highly visible to traffic coming from behindme. Well when I was coming home today I did something a bit unusual and I went past the turnoff to my house to get some extra miles in, then turned back. Big mistake. When I was coming back the sun was dead on in my eyes and I couldn't see anything. Not only could I not see anything but I had my closest ever near hit today by a small truck who was going way too fast considering he probably had no idea I was on the road until he was literally right on me. I saw him swerve away from me AFTER he passed me. Scared the heck out of me. Next time I lengthen my trip home it will be along a different road that does head straight into the sun.

Anyhow, I was treated to a great sunset shortly after but I could have done without the drama ahead of time. Just wondering if anyone else thinks about timing their commute based on the position of the sun? I could see this being an issue in the morning as well.

its a very relevant problem sometimes especially if the road is worn and reflects the sun well. sunglasses is the only thing i can think of.

I never time my commutes. I just ride my bike when ever it's time to get to work, and to leave from work. As for traffic conditions, I ride just about in any condition, just as long as there is'nt a sign that specifically states that Bicycles are not allowed (such as highways)...

I try to commute after rush hour. Often times, this means I leave work at 7-8pm, but the ride home is so much better...

I shift my day about 2-3 hours sooner. I'm riding in between 5:30 and 6:30, and go home 2:30-3:30. Riding with the sun down or high up is much safer IMHO. I'm much more visible at night than in the day also. Plus I like riding in the dark.

Just wondering if anyone else thinks about timing their commute based on the position of the sun? I could see this being an issue in the morning as well.
It is one of my first considerations when I have decided where to live when moving to a new job. Always pick a place so that the sun won't be directly in your (and every other commuters') eyes when commuting. Makes no difference what mode you use unless it is by public transportation exclusively.

I don't. I commute east in the morning and west in the evening. I have it backwards.
Anyhow, in the morning I commute before the sun rises and evening is more like late afternoon (3-4pm)

I usually go to work before sunrise. Evenings I either go home well before sunset, or wait until dark and go home with my lights on. I think that's actually safer. Even going away from the sun, I don't like the glare in my rear view mirror, as well as being invisible to people coming onto the road ahead of me.

Good sites for getting sunrise/sunset times:
http://wunderground.com
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.html

My commute is mostly north south and sunlight is never a factor. Once I had an early ophthalmologist appointment near home, and got drops put in my eyes, and rode in later than usual in bright direct sunlight. That was a bit hairy, although fortunately most of the effect of the drops had worn off.

My favorite time to ride home is about 11:30 pm on a summer evening. It's cool, there's no traffic, and it's very peaceful. I work really late a few evenings a month and look forward to that near midnight ride.

Once, however, I was working on a huge project with a deadline and I didn't leave work 'til 1 am. It was August and the leaves on the trees were so thick they were obscuring the streetlghts, and my headlight battery died en route home. It was so dark that I almost didn't see the white stripes on the road until it was too late. Phew, just barely escaped disaster! I'm talking about the white stripes on the backs of the black animals that were on the road!

Absolutely I do, and on my training rides as well! If drivers can't see you because of being blinded by the sun, you are asking for trouble riding the same roads with them at speeds that clearly mean that they will have to be passing you. I have had enough close calls to know too that you are asking a lot of your typical driver under those conditions.

In terms of commute, it is easy to ride in before daylight and get a little bit of a head start before rush hour at the end of the day. I basically see a handful of cars in the morning, and typical but not bumper to bumper traffic for the leg home at the end of the day.

While bored at work one morning, I wrote down the average sun rise, sun set times, and civil twilight times for each week. Copied them into my pocket calender and now check them pretty frequently. Especially during the winter time I'll jostle my riding time around to leave before dark or whatnot. Hardly ever critical, but sometimes it's useful.

I commute south and north along about 2.5 miles of steep hills. Morning ride is at about 9-10am, evening commute is usually between 8-10pm.