I've commuted by bike off and on since I was 7 years old. I'm 51 now. Since moving to the Bay Area in 2003, I've commuted full time to 2 different jobs. One was 6 miles round trip and my current job is 10 mile round trip. I feel lucky to be able to do this, since I'm not sure how I'd bear up in freezing temperatures and snow/ice. You winter commuters of the midwest and east coast have my respect!