My commute is usually mixed mode (bicycle and bus) and the mix changes daily, depending on my work schedule, weather, available time, and other factors.
A bit of description of your route profile.
Route is hilly, with an elevation gain of about 300' inbound and 800' (guess) homebound if I ride the whole thing.
What kind of bike you ride. (photos would be cool)
2 main commuters: A mongrel 90's Stumpjumper for really wet days and leaving at the park and ride; a new Marin Point Reyes for longer commutes. Both are basically hardtail MTB's with slicks, which I like as my commute is a mix of obstacles, curb hopping, and open road stretches- often very wet. Both commuters are equipped with lights as I often ride after dark.
How you carry your gear and what or how much (volume) stuff you bring on the ride.
Rain gear, lunch, warm clothes, bike tools, spare inner tube, patch kits, pump. I prefer a small backpack to panniers for the mixed mode commuting that I do.
Distance & time (average speed if you care to share)
One way distance is 23 miles. The time usually falls somewhere between 50 minutes and 2 hours, depending on how much I ride. I'm a small engine so I tend to be slower than most serious commuters on the flats, but do better on the hills.