Any recommendations on security? Read that I should get a ulock, but not sure which ulock to get. Thanks. :)

But windy, if I remember my couple of years there right. And cold. So I'd save some of the budget for wicking layers and maybe gloves. You can wear the insulated jacket of course but it's not optimal (you'll get sweaty).

Find a rear rack for that Trek! And a $20 cree headlight from Amazon and you're good to go.

Bought the bike for $85, talked him down $15 as I'll be replacing some things. If he wasn't clearly in need of the money, I would've talked him down even more... but he was an older guy that I could tell needed the money... if I had more to spare, I would've given him the full $100 for that need. But, unfortunately I'm not in that position at the moment... gotta try to keep all my needs within a set budget. Yes, Lubbock is quite windy and cold due to that wind even though the actual temp is higher than most places. The wind cuts through all that I have right now, so I'll be needing to buy some cold weather clothing to wear during the daily commute. I plan to start riding tomorrow when I get off work and back home and see if I can make it to my work or not. Being that today's little ride home of a couple blocks had my muscles sore, lol. I can walk 18 hours from one end of Lubbock to the other and do it again and my legs don't hurt, but this is clearly a different muscle group. Hopefully I can get that muscle up to riding to work at least Saturday as there's no bus running early enough for me to make it in the mornings on Saturdays. Can always take the bus home if I don't feel up to it, but the Saturday morning bus starts later than weekdays... is why I had an urgency for finding a bike asap. Thanks for the help finding a suitable bike though and any future help with equipment needed and helping to maintain / improve my first bike.

I found I was okay with a scarf and gloves last San Antonio winter. Once you get moving, you're fine.

Got the bike last night and coincidentally was forced pretty much to ride it to get to work today. Anything else wouldve made me really late. Managed the 4.5 miles in about 30 minutes with temp of 20 degrees plus strong winds. Really didnt think id make it all the way. Yesterday my legs were sore just taking it a couple blocks home lol. My legs are killin now but hopefully wont take long to build those muscles as well as adjust to such a hard seat.

just keep riding you'll get used to it

ABSOLUTELY.
Later you might decide to get a different saddle.

Make sure your seat is at the right height. Most people set theirs too low. Your leg should be very very very slightly bent, almost straight but not totally straight when you reach the bottom of the pedal stroke. Some people set their seats too high, so watch out for that. If your seat is at the wrong height, it makes the job much harder, which could explain your difficulty. But congratulations! You did it! 4.5 miles is short enough that soon, you'll find it downright easy. 30 minutes is a good time for a first time. I don't do much better than that, and I'm experienced.

Ended up riding another about 8 hours after work, seemed a bit easier though my legs are still extremely sore... especially that last mile was exceptionally rough. Went to a veterans job fair then to a post office and then home. Quite pleased with my first day. I had originally planned to ride it after work a few days and see if I could do it or not and if not then work up to it... but this morning threw me right into the hot seat and I succeeded.


Yes, the seat is a bit low for that, I'll adjust it once I warm up. :) Thanks for that tip.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated too. If they're too low that will make you work a lot harder.