thanks for the advice everyone. my first bike commute starts monday. after spending a couple hours reading the above, I have made a priority buy list (limited by resources) for the start next week as per what I can interpret for my route. and a protracted routine.

taking an effective cycling class from the atlanta bike campaign and spending hours doing other research (i have a stack about an inch thick to paw through - for starters) has also helped cement the needful changes to make my transportation choice more smooth.

my dad loaned me the 1996 arrette gt to get me going (I will buy my own if necessary and if I am able to sell my roadster - any takers? J/K) on a 10 mile/one way residential street commute in buckhead and chattahoochee area atlanta. a really gorgeous landscape.

i am a female, who works in a business casual environment at a low-key semi urban facility that refuses to allow me my bike indoors. so i cover her with a tarp outside if it rains.

i noticed a lot of posters seem to be male, and do not deal with extra prep time for makeup or hair. i am low maintenance at work, but i still like to look nice and fresh. so here's what i have got:

when you come home: 1. take a shower and hang bike garments to dry
2. unpack panniers
3. check bike for wear and adjust accordingly

before you go to bed: 1. check weather and sunrise - pack/leave appropriately
2. pack work clothes and shoes
3. pack makeup supplies
4. make lunch for next day

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when you wake up: 1. wash face and brush teeth
2. dress in bike garments and load panniers and pack lunch
3. fill water bottle and ride out

when you get to work: 1. secure bike outside and cover with plastic, if necessary
2. wipe dry with baby wipes (no showers), apply lotion/deoderant
3. get dressed and proceed to sink for face/hair
4. clip up hair and execute toilette for face then apply makeup
5. unclip hair and blow dry and style as normal

i already have a bike (see above), rear and front fenders, rear rack, panniers, reflective lights on spokes, rear red blinkie, front light, cable and lock, full tire repair kit, sunscreen, bug juice, first aid kit, helmet, glasses appropriate to the time i will ride (dusk and dawn, so they are yellow), gloves, & shoes. i also have a padded crotch insert for days when i can wear regular street clothes but i am too sensitive.

i love carbs and front load to keep my energy charged. i also drink water instead of coffee, my alert factor comes from the bike ride. i eat oatmeal, chocolate, cliff bars, odwalla juices, peanut butter, bananas, wheat breads, tuna, v8, and dates, figs, and peanuts as well as pasta to pack in energy.

nancy clark's sports nutrition guidebook has been an excellent resource for foods.

i keep a full set of dishes at work and dish wipes, which is economic and environmentally friendlier than disposable items. i keep my food/dishes in a stowaway compartment, perishables in the fridge.

that's about all i can think of for now. oh, and i shop for everything online. i do not spend time at stores any more. i buy local where and when i can, i love my local bike shop (they have an web site too).

this post is long enough. i am open to your advice if you have some. thanks.