The difference between experience and someone that's just starting to bike again. Thanks for the tip and mikeybikes the link was very helpful. We're taking our bikes to work tomorrow and this info will be very helpful.

What a bad boy I am. The "shuffle mount" would be a hard habit for me to break after 40+ years. In my defense, I don't do it when there are cars or pedestrians nearby. But I appreciate recommending that it be done correctly.

On the other hand, while I was in college, I was home for the summer and had my old bike, a Hercules that my house mate had found in his dad's barn, and gave to me. It had a single speed Bendix coaster brake hub. My dad decided to take it for a spin, launched himself with the crank at slightly the wrong angle, which of course set the brake, and sent him flying. He was used to his three-speed.

Just practice this for a bit and then next week we'll start working on your track stand.

Hi Silver, I'd like to join in congratulating you. Great way to get some exercise and save some money.

A few have already mentioned, but as far as your gf being uncomfortable on the seat, I'd say there is a 90% chance that more riding will fix that issue. If you are not used to it, a bike seat will be extremely uncomfortable and your rear end will be quite sore the first couple rides. After 2 or 3 rides though, you will start to get used to it. I also would not advise a cushion. I'd say bike shorts if anything, but mostly just time in the saddle works.

Rack and Panniers will be a godsend for you. Not only for biking to work, but they are great if you want to start picking up groceries, or running other errands. I started commuting, but now I love doing everything on my bike, to a point where I enjoy going out to get something as it's a chance to ride.

Stick with it, get a decent sent of panniers (some can be found cheap), or use what you got. Sometimes, a container and some bungees does the trick. Good luck!

My wife has Nashbar panniers and likes hen. They were cheap.

I have Ortlieb panniers which aren't cheap. I love them. The attachment system is brilliant and is extremely quick and convenient.

I commute with an Ospry backpack that has a nice frame in it and allows air to pass across your back for cooling. It's not he best pack from a packing it standpoint but I use it for hiking as well and it's great at keeping your back cool. I do like racks but I ride my commuter on group rides as well, panniers are out for me but a nice rear rack is cool.

Hey guys, I bought a good looking set of panniers that were suggested in one of the previous posts and they should get here on Friday. I'm going to start using them right away because I had to use the backpack today and it was more uncomfortable than the first time (my shoulders are still sore from Monday.)

Quick question, will they steal my panniers if I leave them on? Or do I have to take them off everywhere I go?

Yes, I passed along to my girlfriend that she may get used go it soon and time will tell if she needs extra support.

I'm really looking g forward for the day I want to run errands on my bike.

Depends on where you're leaving your bike, how long you're leaving it for, and how expensive the panniers are.

I take mine everywhere I go, but I have a pair of Ortliebs that run ~US$75/bag.

most of the time I leave my pannier on unless I'm wary of the surroundings then I take the few seconds to take it off. Thankfully most of the places I go are in low crime areas.

I have a pair of Axiom LaSalles' that have an ingenious locking mechanism to the rack.

Perfect then I can leave them on when I go to work, the company has a private campus and plenty of cameras so they should be fine . Now they just need to get here!

By the way I was doing the stopping and going how you guys suggested and I noticed the starting at least was much faster and stable, I like it.

I'm quite new myself, it's now been about a month and a half of bike commuting for me after 20 years of not being on a bike at all. My commute is much shorter than yours, though, so no issues with backpack and saddle discomfort (the latter happened on the first few rides, but then disappeared, just like everyone said it would).

I stop properly, but I do a semi-proper start. About half of the time, I manage without the shuffle; the rest, even though the right pedal is in the correct position, I still end up doing the shuffle in addition. I'm working on it. I can vouch it's not the best technique - it looks silly, but it also proved somewhat dangerous to me once, as I managed to catch the toes of my left foot inside the tram tracks mid-shuffle. That particular thing I'll never do again, as I almost fell (no tram approaching).

In my case, I think the shuffle is psychological; I'm not quite 5'2", and while my bike fits correctly, it's a real grownup bike! Wow, I'm riding an adult bike for the first time in my life, I have it in my head I need some propulsion to get up on that horse's saddle.

Just touching back with you guys. I received the panniers by the end of last week and I love them! No more backpack for either of us. I can't believe I almost didn't buy them, they fit a lot of stuff and are definitely more convenient than a backpack....I have become a true commuter lol.

Have a good day people.

Glad to hear the panniers are working. They were certainly a revelation for me many years ago when I got my first pair. Since then any bike I get, that's the first accessory I throw on.