ScotchMan

Well, not a full week, but did my first commuting this week. Tuesday I rode to a volleyball match, about 3 miles away. And Thursday and today I've rode to work, 1.5 miles each direction. Short commute, through fairly heavy traffic at times. Takes me about 8-10 minutes.

My first ride, at the beginning I ran into a biking group, all wearing the same jerseys, about six of them. And on my way home I rode past the same group going the opposite direction I was not all decked out in cycling gear but I think I got some cred for still being out that long after the first time they saw me

I learned/remembered very early on, taking the lane is good. First ride, someone passed me very close as I was hugging the curb with no shoulder; now I ride in the middle of the lane. Drivers definitely seem to respect it. I have a 150 lumen strobe on the front of the bike, and a PDW danger zone on the back, so I think I am fairly visible. I bought some "Refun" blinkies and both are already broken after a couple rides. I also have a lightweight neon green jacket coming I plan on adding to help me stand out.

So far no fenders, no rack, no panniers, no mirrors, and no bell. I do have a small bag under the seat. I am using a "Strap-it" luggage strap to hold my right pant leg in so it doesn't hit the front gear.

The storage situation at work is pretty nice; we have a high fenced-in cage with a padlock on it surrounding bike racks. Only downside is it is not covered, but I probably won't commute in the rain just yet anyway. Some people leave their bikes unlocked, I am at least chaining the rear wheel to the rack. Yesterday there were 4 other bikes in there, today just one.

Having fun with it. Definitely feels good to be saving money, gas, maintenance on a truck, along with helping the environment. And I'd been sort of plateaued on my fitness plan, but have seen that pick up as well (I am also riding recreationally on the weekends).

ThermionicScott 

Welcome to it, @ScotchMan! Sounds like you've got a good situation for bike-commuting. You can always get racks, fenders, any of the other stuff as the need arises -- I think sometimes people look at these discussions and worry that they won't be able to commute until they have the right bike with everything on the list.

no motor?

You're off to a great start and have a great set up at work for parking. Enjoy!

beerRun

This is my second week. I already can't imagine going back.

Keep it up!

ret3

Congratulations on a good start! I just completed my fifth year of bike commuting a couple weeks ago; my daily round trip is about 4 miles. I've built up slowly to a reliable bike commuting system, with some redundancy built in, which allows me to do it 5 days a week in all sorts of weather, plus some fun on the weekend. As it becomes a part of your lifestyle, get those bits of gear you need as you go. Of the items you listed, I'd say the most universally useful and best bang for the buck is a mirror. I often find myself looking for it on the left side of my field of vision even when I'm off the bike!

mrv 

Cool!
Over the past 3 years or so I would bike to work about 2 or 3 times over the summer. It's 17 miles one way and take about 70 minutes with all my stuff in panniers.
Today is the third time THIS WEEK I biked it to work. It's not as difficult as I think it is. I also put in a request to the facilities folks to put the only shower in the building on the cleaning rotation. - BAM! This morning it had been scrubbed. Pretty happy about that.

phenry24 

+1 to this.

You'll eventually figure out what kind of gear works best for you. As bad as it looks, I really like the milk crate ziptied to my rear rack. I just throw my backpack in there plus any extra big things I might need and I'm ready to go. Small stuff, including my toolkit, goes in my handlebar bag. Putting stuff in bags that stayed on the bike was a hassle, carrying my laptop + charger to my desk from my bike was always awkward.

Leebo

Great start. Lock the frame, not just the wheel. Fenders help for after the rain too, when it is still wet.

BobbyG

go, Go, GO!

downwinded

Good job! I would also recommend a mirror. You can figure out the other stuff as you go along. Be careful and have fun!