Originally Posted by
dynodonn
After reading the OP, personally I'd get the car for starters, get a inexpensive good used bike or fix up the one you have,(if you still have it) and learn how to do basic bicycle maintenance.
Since the car is not cosmetically in good shape, throw a bike rack on it, find a secure big box store parking area half way from home and work (or closer to work) and slowly work out the quirks of commuting, as well as the bike's, and see if commuting by bike is what you're willing to do.
Added: To the OP, to go from 0 experience to a 20/25 mile r/t commute on a daily work basis, in a single bound, is a considerable undertaking and requires a major change in life style. If the car/bike option is not financially doable, look into your local mass transit schedules, and see if they will fit your work schedule, and also allow bicycles to be transported, go multimodal until you are sure that you are sure that you can go the full commute. Give yourself a second option in transportation should the bike or you are not able to complete the commute.
^^ this
You gotta walk before you can run...or ride...son. Start with an inexpensive used bike and gently push the envelope of your comfort zone. I'd hate to see you drop a lot of scratch on that Sirrus only to end up with it collecting dust if you decide bike commuting or triathlons are not for you.
and since we're posting HTFU winter pics...
My daughter lives down in Cocoa. Other than the occasional hurricane there isn't much in the way of weather that should stop you from riding. I wouldn't even bother with a rain coat...just ride in some shorts and a shirt when it rains, carrying your 'good' clothes in a waterproof bag in a rack trunk, panniers, handlebar bag, saddlebag, backpack, messenger bag (whichever works best for you) so you can change at your destination. Sandals are great for wet riding! Point is, weather is only a limiting factor in its extremes...or if you let it be one.
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Last edited by chipcom; 11-22-11 at 01:03 PM.