30 miles each way is serious commuting! Getting it done in 4 hours is not bad. Does the subway save you time? If it's only a couple stops, probably so. I'd probably opt for using the train for part of that trip, but if you have the time and the grit to ride the whole way regularly, go for it, I think that's great.

I haven't read all 4217 posts, just wanted to jump onto the back of the pack here.

I usually time myself from my house to my third stop. Sometimes it takes me an hour. Today I did it in 44 minutes. My previous best was 46. A mountain biker who shares part of my route helped me go fast. I always can go faster when I'm 'racing'. Now I don't advocate racing in rush hour traffic! I rode with the usual precautions, but I used his presence to motivate myself. Going faster is safer on this stretch of Rhode Island Ave. that we both ride because the difference between car speed and bike speed is decreased.

This guy is faster than me, he has overtaken me before and I could only hang on, never retook. Today however, I was coming off a big downhill when I saw him entering the thoroughfare at the bottom of the hill. So I overtook easily and he had to fight back. When I got stuck in traffic, he caught me, passed and gained a big gap, a couple or three blocks, but the lights were with me and I came past him again at speed. After that he sat in until I turned off on 22nd. He should have passed me because I was falling behind the lights when I took my right turn on a late yellow. He powered through. We were shouting at each other but I couldn't tell what he was saying. It was something good, he was smiling. We were flying. It was fun.

Yesterday I talked to a girl I've seen a few times before. She lives on the biggest climb on my route. She followed me for a long way and pulled up next to me at lights. Two other commuters also rode along with us for a few blocks. I really enjoy sharing my commute with other riders. For many years, I rarely saw another commuter.

Oh yeah, both rides were in the rain...