i just started commuting and riding road bikes. i bought a felt 90 56cm 2005. put 160 miles on it in 10 days, 4 of them were 15+ miles each way commute days... heres my thoughts as a newbie commuter.

I thought that my commute would be a few miles shorter.. becuase of the rooute i drive... well that route is deadly and hilly..., so what i was thinking would be about 12 miles each way is now 15+.. but most is on bike lanes... trust me you want to use the bike lanes...

Holy !@# how many people i see in just 10 days with no clue on riding safe.. riding on sidewalks, riding against traffic in one ways,coming to redlighted intersections not stopping and riding across crosswalks, riding down my bike lane the wrong way. when some lady swerved her bike from the oncoming lane over into my lane almost whacking me so she could avoid a oncoming car... i told her its nots a good idea to ride into oncoming traffic... she looked at me like i was ********..

My god...i spent the time doing 3 days 10 miles.. restday.. 26 miles 1 day trying to get my "fit" and fitness ready to do the commute. 10 days in my biggest sore.. is my sit bones...not sure if im just breaking my butt in or need a better saddle.

Heavy messenger bag.... bad idea.. its amazing how much some food a flat kit, a few textbooks, some clothes can wiegh. I the waist strap as tight as it can go.. dont like things pulling my shoulders pretty sure i would hate a backpack.. and i have to fight some insane headwinds... Your going to need racks to carry big loads.. i want to go fast so i am hoping to just lighten my loads somehow.

You need visible riding shirt/hoodie at least bright colors... and a rear led flasher front flasher or some sort of headlight so sleepy drivers dont pull out in front of you. Helmet... cheap ones protect better than the same brand more expensive alot of the time.. only diff is the amount of holes cut into them for vents...

Stiff soled shoes.. your feet will thank you.

I read alot of "goto LBS!" well as someone who has been a serious bmx racer... and been into alot of bike shops. i can tell you that your health and safety depend on your machine.. do you really want some guy making 7$ a hour working on your bike... choose your mechanic like you would a doctor... get a referral

Learning about how your bike works and how to fix it can help you spot problems and keep you safe.

If you are lucky there could be a cycyling club near you,, these are the people you need to talk to.. they know who has the best service at the local shops.. whos got the best prices... whos got good used gear.. where the best routes are to ride... where the people meet on weekends to ride together and a ton of other usefull stuff.. most of the time they will be than happy to help you.