Commuting - First REAL commute

So today I finally commuted to work. I did a dry run with my friend the other night. Commuting alone is definitely not as fun, and seems to take longer, but I still loved it.
On the way there i took the less busy route, including a bike path. It took me about an hour and a half. I felt great at work most of the day.
The way home I decided to take the 6 lane highway, since it's not as busy at night, and is 4 miles shorter than the bike path. It only took a little less than an hour to get home, but all the cars passing me at 55 mph or more was a little unnerving.
I learned a couple things.
Namely, NEVER ride in the far right of the lane, i got passed WAY too closely. Scared the crap out of me, and so I decided I was just going to take up the entire right lane, and that seemed to work great.
So I had fun, not sure if I'm going to do it tomorrow again, but will definitely try to do it a few times a week. It can only get easier, i hope.
Just would like some ideas about going faster.
Now, congradulate me, cos I did it!

Good job! I've been doing it for a few weeks now, and believe me it does get easier. I actually hate driving to work now - traffic gets me more worked up when I'm in my car. My commute is similar in length (timewise). I was able to take 15 minutes off my commute just by finding a better route. Beyond that, I've just been keep track of my time and trying to best myself. I've already taken a few minutes off my time just by racing myself. However, there are still some off-days where the legs just aren't as fresh and I go a little slower. It also helps to be late for a meeting - it's amazing how fast you'll find yourself going then... ;)

Congrats! Going faster... well, let me know if you get any answers!! :)

But I suspect you'll speed up as you get used to the commute...

I hear ya about cars zooming by on the hwy - I travel the whole commute on the hwy and you do get used to it after a while. We have some pretty good and wide shoulders for most of the way too and that helps. But I always like the respect when cars still move over a bit just to give you that extra room. Esp. when the road is clear.

I too just started commuting. I have been biking for years, but what got me was biking under load. This is the first time I have biked with bags on the bike. It stresses the body in a very different way since the bike's weight and balance is all screwy (even with a perfectly balanced load, the arse of the bike is WAY heavier than normal). What does not kill you makes you stronger! You will get faster with time, and get faster quite quickly I bet if you can stick to it.

This experience has given me a whole new perspective and respect for bike touring and daily commuters who ride with loads on the bike. Kudos to you, especially if you STARTED biking this way. (Just think, you might do a recreational ride without all the stuff and suprise yourself with how fast you can go..)

The feeling of reduced time with a friend may be subjective but nice. Please do not substitute a radio or music system for your friend to help pass the time. Your friend is helping to watch for dangers, the electronics will not. If the highway is safe in the AM I would take it then. Getting to work is more time-critical then going home. (Unless you are a newly wed ;) ) Going home I usually have time to look for new routes and do errands. I wich you well.

Gald to see that your making t the 13 miles with little problems. I do wear a head set with radio turned way down so I can hear the cars a people around me. It helps with a long commute.