Two days in a row, and feeling good. (For those of you who may be counting, I don't commute at all on tuesdays ). My new route definately has a spot that is more hairy than my whole old commute. I don't know if I will take the direct route on rainy days since that would mean I will be riding on the road paint. That stuff is slick when dry. The hills are a bit larger on the direct route. Also, there is more opportunity for a very hilly alternate route w/ minimal mileage increase.