Originally Posted by
sumorez
It's a Citizen Breezer three-speed that I bought used off Craigslist. Tires aren't flat and gears change when I spin the knob. That's the extent of my bike knowledge. No breakfast or water, though. Rookie mistakes I suppose!
Tires can feel full when you press on them with your hand but still be significantly under inflated. Use a tire pump with a gauge on it to inflate them properly. You'll be surprised how much easier it is when your tires are close to the max PSI.
Congratulations on your first commute. The advice others have given is great. Doing it even twice a week will help with
#2 and
#4 on your list!