Originally Posted by
weepingwillow
Very good point. I tried my planned route and it was definitely nervewracking... not the stress-free ride I was hoping for. But it wasn't terrible enough to put me off commuting entirely. I still think it's worth doing. I've decided to drive half way to avoid the busy roads and then bike the rest. When I transition to a job closer to home (which I am working on) I can bike the entire route.
I too am a 'multi-modal' commuter, though for different reasons. I drive part (to get my teenage daughter to school), I ride part (to get me to metro/subway) and I use the subway for the rest (except on the rare occasion when I feel motivated and have the time to ride the entire distance). I ride several extra miles in order to take a more relaxing route, and sometimes I drive, because it is just more convenient (we're experiencing tropical storm aftermath today, for example).
Kudos to you for giving it a shot, and be okay with working yourself into it slowly.
I began with a 2.6 mile round trip, and that was enough. I started enjoying it, and began lengthening, first with extra miles just on the way home. Then I added the longer ride in the morning too. I've ridden the entire 42 mile round trip exactly one time. I want to do it again, but I'll be honest: it was tough.
Above all, though, enjoy it.