Commuting - Made my first commute today...

So I bought my bike yesterday. I was so excited I took it out for 9 miles last night. This morning I knew the forecast called for severe scattered thunderstorms. I thought about not commuting, but made the jump when it looked like it was not going to start until 3pm today. So I took off for school at 6am and it was still kind of dark outside. Big mistake considering I forgot to buy lights yesterday, but I was wearing a white shirt, white helmet and my big old white legs. There was hardly any traffic so I made it without even hardly any vehicles passing me. I made the 6.5 mile commute in just under 28 mins and an average of about 13.5 mph. Then as I was ready to leave school to head back home it starts raining pretty hard. It was not torrential so I took off. I was very nervous of crashing, but I took it slow and made it back home at 33 mins because of several long stop lights and an average of 12.5 mph. My fastest speed on my way to school this am was over 28mph on a big hill. That same hill on the way home was only about 6-7mph, but I made it up without standing or walking, just spinning slowly but surely. All in all, my fear of riding in the rain is all gone. Now I will only be worried about cold weather...

congrats.

it's fun isn't it?

Welcome!

Congratulations!

I also did my first commute today, haven't had so much fun going to and from work for ages!

Yeah, even in the rain it was fun. I bought lights and a messenger bag today so I am all set to go for commuting...

I like rain on my morning commute. Only problem is it leaches all the lube out of my chain.

Congratulations!

I also did my first commute today, haven't had so much fun going to and from work for ages!

What is the bike scene in Iceland like?

Yeah, even in the rain it was fun. I bought lights and a messenger bag today so I am all set to go for commuting...

[lilting oriental music playing in background]
Grasshoppa..... you have much to learn...... The "I've got to have this/that do-dad for my bike" bug has yet to bite......
:thumb:

I have 2 whole rides in so far this year (commutes). Last year I managed 47. I wanted to get to 52 so I could say that one daya week on average I rode. But I got sick. Now I need to get in a groove. As a student it should be a natural for you.

Made my first commute today as well! I'm thrilled about it...I almost chickened out once I loaded the panniers up. The bike weighs a TON! But it wasn't bad at all to ride. Now I've finally justified buying the rack and panniers from several months ago :thumb:. My route is 11.7mi and has a boatload of stop signs, so it took an hour, but I can live with that. Can't wait to do it again on the way home!

congrats to the new commuter! Enjoy and ride safely!

ps - the ride home is always better - relax and enjoy it!