Thanks everybody for their reply!!

I took your guys advice... We have a metal fabrication shop here at work, so I brought my bike to the shop manager and he said that the noticed my tires were really low when he saw me on my bike yesterday! So he pumped them up (we have an industrial strength air pump), and I took the bike on 1 minute test ride and it seems a lot easier to pedal.

Regarding winter biking, I'm not quite sure if I trust myself & drivers around me during the winter enough to bike in it. Last year I ended up carpooling with a co-worker and paid him $10/wk. I think I will do the same next winter or just take the bus to work (I'm no stranger to public transit), it's MUCH cheaper than owning cars...

My ride is only about 6km each way and it has taken me about half an hour to get through it. I usually take 2-3 minute breaks (most of the time at stoplights) but maybe it will change now that my tires are filled! I will keep everyone updated! Thanks again for your help...

Now just 1 question, what is the drive train on a bike? Sorry, not only am i a newbie to the forums, I just got back into biking after 10 years of not having one!!