It took me two attempts to become a regular commuter. The first time around I felt just like you. Especially since one part of my ride was a narrow road with speeding traffic and an adjacent freeway. So many fumes, so much noise. I hated it. And then right after that part was a scary hill.

Then they tore up the street and re-routed the traffic onto a really nice residential street. I had no idea I could have been going that way all along. It's delightful, quiet, shaded with old oaks. I should have looked at a map and found that street on my own. Sure it's a tiny bit extra distance, but worth every bit.

The big scary hill is still there, but it's such a tiny portion of my ride. I've accepted it even though it's hardly any less scary.

I could have just given up completely, but I got a crazy person for a boss and had to find some way to live through it. I can't tell you what a huge difference the commuting makes.

One last suggestion, not sure if I read you right, but you said you saw a guy riding a windshield bent. Did you mean a recumbent with a fairing? Getting a recumbent was the other big key to making the ride pleasurable for me. You are much less unhappy when you have no discomfort, and riding a bike is new all over again.

There are always alternatives, especially in the Denver Metro area. They just may not be as convenient as the direct line. Where is the bridge you are talking about? Maybe I can suggest an alternative.

Stuart Black