Commuted for the first time today! To be honest it was pretty noneventful - I'd already done the route two times in a row on my last long ride. Still, I'm pumped - I got a good work out, I got to work in once piece, and in less time than I normally do. In fact, instead of going directly to work I took a lengthy detour - and still made it in less time!

I think the only annoying part was the new bike flash light I'd affixed to my bike - it fell off as soon as I started riding. I thought maybe it was a fluke, so I put it on again and again it fell off and this time I ran over it with my back tire! I just stuffed the thing into my bag and will deal with it later. Tape I guess? Either the the thing is broken or I'm missing something obvious. But other than that hiccup - I'm a commuter convert!

Awesome!!! Keep it up!

As for the flashlight, try some heavy-duty velcro to hold it in there. They also make clip-in handlebar flashlight holders.

Sheer coincidence, but this morning was my first bike commute to work also. It's a stretch to call it a commute, though, as it's just a 2.4 mile hop, mostly on bike paths. The only glitches were trying to trigger the traffic light at the one major intersection I had to cross, and discovering that my bike didn't fit into my bike locker unless I completely folded up my bar end mirror.

CC in sunny Sacramento

Welcome to the club, friends!
Be warned, you will be hooked!

I find commuting a couple days/week is plenty for me. Too often and it seems like a chore.... ride to work with clothes, shower, change up before going home, etc....

I like to commute enough to look forward to it. I enjoy the exercise and saving some gas, being 'green', etc. Given the $$ I've spent on the bike, it will take along time to realize any financial benefit. My other commuting option is a BMW Z3, so I also enjoy taking it, as well.

Frobozz - My other commuting option is a sardine impersonation on a crowded metro train with rising fare prices - and I'm claustophobic and cheap. It's a pretty good incentive to get out and ride!

Non eventful is good. Eventful, not so much, unless it involves something suitable for Penthouse Forums.

So what kind of light were you using, what was it attached to and how was it attached?

My favorite thing about commuting is that I get in two workouts without really thinking about it. I'd never make it to the gym both morning and afternoon several days a week.

Might as well add a me too in here...Tuesday was my first commute and went again Thursday. Mine is about 20 miles round trip. I've been posting my experiences in the SE "did you ride today" thread. That's where I'm linking. My biggest challenge is the heat in the afternoon. Beating it pretty well so far! I figure if I can handle the worst of it through the summer, the rest of the year will be gravy.

Yes, non-eventful is good. Welcome to the club. I can't tell you how much better I feel on days I can ride. If I don't, I feel like a part of my day is missing or off. It's a good thing I can take out my non-commuting day woes on my co-workers.

Oh, and I had trouble with a bike light. I ended up buying a flashlight recommended on BF and bought a bracket and haven't looked back.

Yeah, I just have an 8 mile commute, but there's no shade and on the way home it's been pretty hot lately... I'm an outdoorsy type, but it has gotten to me a few times. I got one of those insulated water bottles, they are pretty awesome, I think it helps.

Same. Bicycle commuting when you live within a reasonable distance of the work place, in my opinion, is the easiest way to get regular exercise and stay in shape. Trying to hit the gym regularly or start an exercise regimen as an addition to your regular schedule is bound to be a chore. Bicycle commuting integrates right in with what you're already doing, and doesn't really take any more time than not doing it.

This was a blackburn voyager 33 -

I had it fastened to my handle bars. I first fastened it upside down, because if it was on top of the handle bars I wouldn't be able to store my bike upside down (my preferred method, don't have hooks). The strap stayed on the handle bars but the light slipped out of its cradle. I figured it did that cause (duh) it was upside down, so I unfastened the thing and resecured it right side up, again on the handle bars, and this time it fell off even faster.

I am thinking I will tape the heck out of it to the straps. Either that or I'm just missing something obvious about how it's supposed to click in.

As for commuting as exercise, that's totally my thinking behind this. Though I'll take all the other benefits too

Congratulations on the first of many commutes.

Hopefully many of your commutes will be uneventful. Most of the horror stories here are the exceptions rather than the rule. You don't need anything fancy, just you, a bike, and a willingness to go for it.

You could probably use a twofish lockblock for your light SR. Tortuga. Otherwise some rubber bands or zipties might also fit the bill.

It is true, any loose item that falls off your bike ends up under the back wheel. The crunch of a nice pair of ray-bans is a sickening sound.

I think this one is a great model for the money!

I have been using this light for about 11 weeks. I have never had a problem with it.

What about finding the crunched up frames of your favorite Ray Bans underneath your car tire in the middle of winter visiting relatives? I almost cried.

Now I ride my bicycle.