I just got hired for a new job and plan on commuting to and from work for the first time in over 25 years. The commute is about 8 1/2 miles with 840 feet of climbing to work and 700 feet of climbing from work. My start time will be 6:00 am and I will get off at 2:30 PM so while there will be trafic it will not be the heart of rush hour. My commute will be half two-lane roads and half four-ane roads with only about a mile of dedicated bike lanes.

I currently do recreation rides of ~120 miles a week. My bike is a "comfort-hybrid" but I will consider buying a different bike for the commute. I appreciate any advice you-all can provide to make my commute a possative experience.

Thanks
Mark

Most hills have 2 sides to them?

- Andy

Since your start time is 6:00am, make sure you have bright front and rear lights and a reflective vest or some sort of reflectorization beyond just a standard front and rear reflector.

2:30pm, while not rush hour, could have a good amount of traffic. I'd recommend testing out route options early on a Saturday or Sunday morning to see what it will be like. Pay particular attention to challenging intersections and areas of poor visibility. Give a good honest attempt to come up with a variety of routes. Once you start using a given route, the route will quickly become routine. Now is the time to find an optimally safe route. Use google maps' satellite view to seek out secret cut throughs. I discovered a condo complex that I could cut through, allowing me to bypass a dangerous road for my work commute.

I ride down into the hallow and back up the other side.

Duh___! I plead da fif!

Duh, OK!

- Andy

I go "uphill both ways" too

Down into the valley into the city, then back up out of the valley to the north burbs. Then turn around and do the opposite going home.