So, took the dive this morning. It was, in a word, exhausting. I'm an Athena, so even a mile wore me down. Luckily once I cross the mile point I only have a short stretch of road left. Got honked at, an idiot nearly hit me, got lots of looks from drivers. I was disturbed by how many were on their phones. At the red light, though, I met another biker going the other way. He had a nice road bike, aerodynamic helmet, full biking attire as opposed to my sweatpants and Tshirt. I was convinced he was going to sneer at my huffing and puffing and my WalMart Roadmaster, but he just smiled and nodded. I returned the favor before going through the light. Took to the sidewalk for a particularly busy intersection(no matter how many times I tell myself the big truck won't try to hit me, I'm afraid). Rode the last stretch of parkinglot, and praised God when I made it barely in tact.

I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS

Very nice! I started commuting three miles to work on a walmart bike and had a similar experience. People were hostile and I was exhausted. Both kind of fade away after a while (or at least you just don't notice it as much). Glad you took the first step!

Good going

Great job, congratulations!

Congratz! You only get stronger from here.

Sounds like it was stressfull? Why do that whole bicycle thing if it's like that?

Keep it up! It does get easier!!!!!

I do it because I want to, because I want to get stronger, to be independent, and because you connect with people and places on the back of the bike that you can't do from a car. For better or worse, it's exhilarating, exciting, and just plain fun. Plus, it's great to get the juices flowing before work.

Looks like I'll have to get a poncho for the ride home though, it's getting dark and rainy outside.

Cool deal!!!! I've only been into it for a few weeks and am already up a gear throughout my route than I started out with.

It seems drivers start acting better once they can see you.

I got a red and white blinky from Wally World. I think $8-9 each. A long shot from the best but they are SOMETHING.

And.........I wear one of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CAN-YOU-SEE-...64c9d1&vxp=mtr

EVERY driver that has passed me has either at least straddled the center line if not moved all the way into the oncoming lane.

At the very least, I recommend something in a high visibility color. Walmart often has hi-vis polyester t-shirts for about $11, and I've recently even seen some at a Family Dollar or Dollar General (I forget which) for about $5.

Congrats, but the cake is still a lie.

I LOVE THIS SHIRT. Wish they made it into a jersey!

Agreed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've got two on the front, one on the back, and two on my helmet, so I'm covered there. It was just lunch rush and everyone can't slow down because then they'll get their food two minutes later.

The cake is indeed a lie, and I'm GLaD to report that I'm still alive.

Everyone in the stores I stopped at on the way home thought I meant motorcycle when I said I was biking home. xD

Yeah I hate that.

Congratulations!

As you start doing that route more and more, you'll become more comfortable with the traffic and they might get used to seeing you too if it is the same general lunch crowd you're running into. Don't feel a blow to your pride if you have to go to the sidewalk to avoid a dangerous situation- be proud you're out there on your bike! Just be careful and keep it up!

Congrats on your first cmmute. If you kep doing it you will be amazed at hoe much easier it gets, at least in the beginning.

Yep, it gets easier, then it gets tougher again. The tough bit, second time around is figuring out alternate routes that lengthen the ride without making you feel too foolish

If you're this confused why post to this thread at all?

Go ahead on SweetNightmare it does get better and easier. Pay no attention to the trolls.

Congratulation.

As many here have said, it does get easier. I recall my first time I commuted. I was in sweat and wonder if it will get easier and it did. You will get used to the route and learn how to adapt to the condition. You will find out in time the behavoir of the drivers habits at certain area of your route and learn what to watch out for and by doing so it will get easier. Relax and the stress will ease up and make your commute a thing to enjoy.

Thanks everyone. Fortunately I don't always have to ride during lunch. Usually I go to work around 3:00, I picked today to start because I wouldn't have to ride home in the dark my first time. It poured on me on the way home though. xD Tomorrow I'm going to have the SO drop me off to give my body a day to recover; I know you're supposed to after strenuous workout, and let me tell you, it was strenuous indeed. As far as alternate routes, I can always just wind through the neighborhood once I know the area better. Basically, the layout looks like this:

WORK ||
***** ||
============
***** || neigh
***** || bor
***** || hood
***** || ...
============

More or less. It's a very rough map because I'm terrible at drawing with text. xD Man, I'm beat, I never thought riding a bike would be so exhausting. On the way home I rode on the sidewalk simply because it was raining and I knew I was going to have to pull over at least once, maybe twice, and I didn't want cars to be taken by surprise. And I wasn't 100% sure how my bike was going to perform in the rain. A little adjustment to the gears and the brakes and it was right as rain. *rimshot*

Congrats on the first successful commute! Once you've done it a few times, you'll get to know the road better and where the danger spots are. It will get easier, but some days it will feel like ****. I always make sure to nod at riders in sweats on wally bikes; it's only right to acknowledge people who are new to the sport and just want to be accepted as cyclists. I do recommend wearing super bright neon yellow jersey. Drivers who are 1/4 mile away will see you long before they are running you over.

congrats!

almost all cyclists I meet and super friendly and very supportive, so i'm not really surprised

we just did a 10km ride in a Bavarian forest next to a river and we saw several village/town cycling groups (20 people wearing similar gear from the same village) riding that were extra friendly to our super laid-back approach (with two 70+ year old people). "Hallo"s all the way around.

cycling is a good family of people.

Great job! Have you read up on lane positioning for when you're on busier streets?

Congrats on getting your first rainstorm out of the way too. It's not a huge deal when you're on your way home from work. Just give yourself extra stopping distance and go a bit slower than usual.

High Five!!