16 days ago I started commuting by bike, for the third time in my life. Unfortunately in order to placate S.W.M.B.O. I can only commute every other work day. As a result of my schedule I've only done four commutes. Every trip has been interesting in different ways.

I know why the first trip is called the "shakedown " cruise..In my case it took three trips. The practice run, to get an estimate on time needed, went smoooth as silk.

First trip out, I got into some gravel and dumped the bike, lost my wheel lights and discovered that the front rack needed to be secured better.

Second trip, destroyed the wheel lights, that I had replaced from the first trip. Hit a bump about 2000 feet from work, and my handlebars decided that they didn't like the angle they were at and readjusted themselves (i.e. rotated downward). I fixed it at work on break.

In the morning on my way home I almost got hit twice. The first time I was attempting to execute an Idaho stop and a left turn at the same tjme. Before I was fully committed to this manoeuvre I noticed a car on my left, tried to convert to a full stop, as that wasnt working, I stood on it. Next two stop signs I had minor braking issues (which I attributed to cable stretch).

I continued on my merry, I come to a point where the main road goes to the right, as I needed to continue straight, I indicated this to the vehicle behind me, with the straight ahead signal on my signal vest (which is now a taillight on my bike), driver is totally oblivious makes his right anyway as I'm approaching the junction, I hit my brakes, not happy with the response, plant my feet, stop, car goes by. I get hone, was standing there chatting with S.W.M.B.O. I let off the rear brake, holding the front, bike starts rolling backwards (my driveway is uphill from the road). Now I'm thinking the cable pulled through the pinch bolt. I get it into the bike shed. Remove the front pannier. Now I see my rotor is not attached to the hub any more.
I also discovered my front hub was loose.

The third trip was uneventful.

I did not tell S.W.M.B.O about the second trips' near misses.

Welcome! This will all work out

Yes, be sure your handlebar, stem, and front wheel are extra secure. As you know, having them go out is worse than other things going out. You may have made a good decision not telling her what went wrong. Things go wrong, and that's life.

Take the lane when you are going straight when the cars are going right. Looking forward to picture of your commuter

1. Before you take your next bicycle ride of any kind, take your bicycle to a competent bicycle mechanic to give your bicycle a complete safety inspection to include adjusting all brakes, shifting mechanisms pedals, steering and accessories connections (bolts, nuts and cables.). It sounds like your current bicycle is not up to the task of riding around the block safely as currently assembled.

2. Forget about relying on anyone else understanding or paying attention to obtuse or arcane signals to include those given by hand or improvised lights (such as going straight ahead, slowing down, or right hand turn signal given with left arm bent at 90°.)