whoa, a totally new commute today. I am out in my western MA digs and commuting 14 miles each way to work.

The difference between a 20 mile bike path urban commute and a 28 mile road bike commute with major elevation changes- the ride begins (and therefore ends) with a massive hill (sections of 18% but an average grade of 12% for one mile)- is pretty intense. Downhill on the way to work and up hill on the way home. There are really no level sections for the entire ride.

Managed to do the ride into work in 46 minutes and the ride home in roughly the same. Carried a lot of stuff into work today- but left clothes there so I wouldn't have to carry them everyday. Had a rack pack and a large front bag so I was carrying a ton of stuff- including 3 books, which I'll have to carry pretty much every day.

Should be an interesting summer commute wise.