I did my first practice commute on Monday. My route takes me thru the central part of Kansas City, over the Missouri River to the Kansas City Downtown Airport. I have converted my old Bianchi Sport SS to a commuter bike. Fenders, blinky, headlight, new tires, tubes, cables, frame bag, safety vest and a new Cateye. It is 9 miles one way and drops about 300' in elevation from home to work. So the bike was ready to go and the snow had melted enough to try this for the first time. Off I went with the wind gusting up to 35 knots on a 60 degree day. Northbound I was flying. Cruising by the Costco I saw a fellow getting handcuffed by the police behind the building. Not sure I would have seen that from my truck. A fellow did just what the Pennsylvania Bike Safety book said would happen, made a right hand turn right in front of me. I was super ready for anything and handled that OK. I was worried about the bridge getting over the Missouri River but it has very wide paved shoulders and 2 share the road signs just before getting on the bridge. I zoomed to the Downtown Airport in 34 minutes. After a quick blow and a refill on the water bottle I headed back home into the wind. A major gust blowing between the downtown buildings nearly blew me off the bike. I was determined to make it home in all this wind and sure enough I rolled in 1 hour and 3 minutes after turning and heading south.

All in all things went well. Maybe a little hectic still getting used to the traffic and the route. I can't help but think my average will get better with less wind and a little more fitness on my part.