Yeah I remember taking my first spin at my local spot -- I made it 2.5 miles away and thought I was going to have to walk my bike back.

I don't have the ability to use my bike for commuting -- the main road I live off of is just too dangerous to ride on (45 mph, but people go 60), a lot of the private roads off of it have gravel washed out to the white line (for some reason, no street sweepers come and sweep the shoulder, I have no idea why. I'm from the city, and live out in the country now, maybe they don't use them here). Every road off there is it's own dead end eventually -- there's just no way to hit a real connector to anything other than about 4.5 miles each way. The one day I managed to hit a back road through absolute bravery, I ended up getting chased by a rottweiler anyway.

In either event, you've got a plan -- save money and save gas by cycling. Who cares if you go 9 mph...just ride to meet your goal and you will get better and more fit.