I have started to commute here in Houston. I am currently just doing one day a week, most likely moving to two days next week or so. I am doing it more for health then anything. I am out on the west side of town, and my commute is about 8-9 miles one way. So far I carry most of my stuff ( change of clothes, laptop, pump, spare tube, lunch etc. ) in a backpack but an thinking about other ways to get this stuff back and forth. I am riding a 2010 DBR Podium 1...

I get to work about 30 min earlier than normal, cool down, wipe down with wet wipes that were made for hunting trips LOL and change in the bathroom ( I would love a job n the energy corridor with a company that has a shower on site LOL, anyone need a VoIP/Network engineer? )

Anyway, just wanted to see if any one else is commuting around the Houston area ....

Hooked another one.

Welcome to the commuting life. Hope you really enjoy it.

I'm a 4 - 5 day a week commuter. I ride from 610 west loop to downtown, either 7.5 or 11.5 miles depending on what route I take. Commuting is a great way of life. I can't stand driving to work anymore, but some days I just have to. Also, I have been much happier since I went with a rack and panniers. No more backpacks for me.

I used to commute there decades ago when I had a paper route. I had "Houston Chronicle" wooden panniers. ;-). Still, I only use a backpack if it is cold weather. In hot and humid conditions, I use Panniers. Currently using Timbuk2 panniers that double as a messanger bag (a little small for laptop + clothes + food). Even in messanger bag mode, it is cooler than a backpack.

Unscented baby wipes rule...

I commute from the Med Center to Greenway Plaza in Houston. The route I take is about 5 miles each way. I'm moving next month though, so my commute will change to a 6 mile each way commute from midtown to Greenway Plaza via Buffalo Bayou and River Oaks.

I shower right before getting on the bike in the morning and clean up w/ unscented wipes, wash my face, and reapply deodorant when I get to work. I have a buzz-cut, so I don't need to worry about my hair. We have showers and a locker room at work, but I don't really feel the need to shower once I get to work.

Is there a gym nearby your work? One idea: join the gym (the chain gyms, like 24Hr-Fit are often <30$ a mos.).
You could then use the shower there before you go to work so you can ride more. Also, could use the weights or pool on occasion! I imagine 9 miles in Houston in summertime will take more than a couple wipes to cool down. They might even have lockers, you could keep a few extra clothes there.

welcome to the drak side.

Congrats! I also am riding for health benefits. I also happen to like riding. It grows on you after a while. There are probably plenty of threads here about how to tote things to work; I'm sure someone will recommend a milk crate. I've see a few of those at work and from serious commuters!

good looking bike. you might consider stocking a box at work with food and clothes so you don't have to carry so much. start looking around and talking to your boss and facility people. you would be surprised by what you find in the way of storage opportunities for food and clothing.

There are a few of us. I'm on hiatus at the moment due to the economy. However, I too am on the west side. I'm at I-10 and Gessner in Spring Branch.

I just started bicycle commuting.

I live close to Little York & I-45 and work near Westheimer & Kirkwood. I ride from the house to the Galleria (~13.5 miles) and take the bus the rest of the way. I've not found a route I feel comfortable riding west of the Galleria. Too many idiots w/ cell phones, ya know? The only westbound arteries I know are Westheimer (gotta be nuts to ride that), Richmond (too busy for my taste) and San Felipe/Memorial/Briar Forest (same).

After work I reverse the process.

I ride a Trek 7100 hybrid and put my stuff in a laptop backpack. That's the perfect size for a pair of jeans & a t-shirt, the stuff that goes in the pockets, a couple of water bottles and a book. I drive in w/ my food for the week on the weekend and store it in the fridge.

I did ~125 miles last week. Feeling great!

I started last week from midtown to the Galleria area. Seven miles each way, on a KHS Urban Express. I'm enjoying it, but am strongly considering getting a different ride. After throwing on a 13lb pannier, the whole thing weighs in at about 53 lbs! That's a ton of weight to push around town.

I'm feelin' kinda proud of myself!

I found a "safe" route from home to work and rode it this morning. 20 miles one way. I think I'll catch the bus back to Galleria and ride from there home. Like I said earlier, I only started commuting by bike in April and I don't want to push too hard.

The goal is to regularly do the commute entirely on bicycle. I think it's actually doable.

My pants are actually getting kinda spacious!