I have a 47 mile round trip commute, but I usually push it past 50 to get that coveted half-century ride. :-)

1. How many times per week do you ride into/from work?

About half--more in the summer and less in the winter. My streak is over 20 work days in a row (both riding, and unfortunately, not riding).

2. Were you a recreational rider before you started commuting?

Sure.

3. How long did it take you to complete the entire distance under your own power?

Oh, immediately, once I started. But, I couldn't do successive days, and it took a couple of years to build up to three or more in a row. I ride through St. Paul in the morning and Minneapolis in the afternoon, and it's the starting up at the many controlled intersections that seems to trash my legs. Riding the same distance in the country is far easier on them.

Since I started this long commute, a light rail train has been put in for part of the route, and in winter I can cut off eight miles one or both commutes by taking it. It starts looking pretty inviting when temps drop to 10F or lower, or roads aren't so great.

4. After your trial and error period, what ended up being your equipment?

My "summer" bike is a '92 Cannondale T600 (touring) with 84k miles on it. My "winter" bike is a '95 Cannondale H600 (hybrid) with 17k miles on it (and because of road salt and sand, has worn out about the same number of components as the T600) and studded tires. A pair of REI panniers I got back in the early '90s finally gave out this summer, and I'm breaking in a pair of Racktime (Orlieb) panniers. Well, just one for now, and hopefully not the other for several years.