Greetings all - and first a "thank you!" as I've been lurking around here for a while now and absorbing all of the information I can about commuting by bike. I have a 3-mile commute each way and I've decided with gas at or above $4/gallon, I have no more excuses to drive my V8, 4x4 Tundra to work every day.

I landed here when I was trying to decide whether to try and commute on my Gary Fisher Tassajara, my Bianchi Eros, or look for something new... My gut told me that the Bianchi Eros which hadn't been ridden since my 4-year-old was born would be up to the task so I got it down from its perch in the garage and drove it over to my LBS. I asked for a tune-up and a once-over since it's been collecting dust for 4 years and then ended up chatting up the mechanic about making it a workable commuting bike for my short ride.

The guy LOVED my bike. He said with the steel frame and rack tabs, it'll make a great commuter. In the end, I'm getting new tires (he's going to try for 32cc but go down to 28cc if they don't have enough clearance), new cables and housings, and a new stem (old-school threaded style) that is a bit taller and will allow a more upright riding position. I asked them to take off my SPD pedals for now since I'm no longer used to riding on them and just give me some clips and strips, and to re-tape the bars.

So for a fraction of the cost of a new bike, it's going to be mostly new to me! The only hold up is that he has to special order the stem so I won't get my machine back until Thursday or Friday so I have to wait one more week to commute by bike!!

With that way-too-long introduction out of the way, I have a couple questions...

Regarding the route, most of the roads here in Northern Colorado have ample bike lanes, but I'm debating whether to stick to the main roads (nothing major - not highways but not a lot of lights), or try to make my way through neighborhoods. Less traffic off the main roads, but also wondering if I'm more likely to get whacked by some guy backing out of his driveway in his Suburban and not paying attention than if I just stuck to main roads where people are sort of used to cyclists. Thoughts?

Regarding wardrobe - for a 3-mile commute, should I be thinking of riding in my work pants (weather-permitting)? I generally favor dressier khaki-like pants. Usually the no-stain, no-wrinkle ones from Eddie Bauer. I am a high school assistant principal so Monday - Thursday I usually wear a shirt and tie. I'm wondering about how people handle wardrobe on relatively short commutes. I'm thinking wear the pants with a t-shirt and leave shirts and ties at work (or carry them?)...

Finally, racks and panniers - I'm not tickled with the selection at my LBS. Any advice?

All in all, I'm pretty excited. I've put it off for a year and just need to bite the bullet!!

Thanks for the great info on these forums!!