Wow, omesh, 1h15m for a first-time commute of 18 miles is very good. I do 20 miles typically in the same time. Granted I have 50+ stop lights to contend with but it sounds like you had your share, too.

Today I took the same route in I did Monday. I didn't ride home Monday night so I felt pretty fresh today. Funny that the route I took today I once considered the "long" route, then I settled into that as the "normal" route for a few years. Nowadays it's the shortest route I take.