First time in rush hour also.  I took back roads so no highway but still was pretty sporting out there.  The ride was better then a cup of coffee.

A question: how do you deal with soccer moms in 20 feet long SUV's talking on their cell phone while doing their hair and drinking coffee?

Watch for them and stay behind or well in front of them.  You can always tell the drivers that are doing everything but paying attention to the road in front of them.  You'll have to get used to using every once of concentration to detect hazards like this.  Don't worry it will get easier the more you hone your riding skills.  I kind of think of it as a 'spider scense' for bad drivers 

Minigun 

I just started commuting to work as well this week. No interstate, about 30 minutes each way. Its much more entertaining than driving my car

I started taking the bike to work this week too. I am temporarily working in a town about an hour and a half from home; I stay out there Mon to Thurs and come back for weekends. This was my first time taking the bike out and using it to get around out there. I used back roads instead of the highway this time, took a long time (2 hours plus instead of 1.5 on highway).

No soccor moms on my road, but I had a close encounter with a moose! Next time my camera will be on my tank bag.

I've been thinking about riding to work next week if the weather is better.  I have about an hour commute each way because of rush hour traffic, but I also have to share the road with other crazy NJ drivers, so I'm kinda thinking commuting on a MC may not be so much fun.  Does anyone else see some aggressive traffic during their commute on a MC and how is it?

w00t!! I was SO excited when I first started commuting to work. It's like taking a little vacation before and after work. I still get the feelings of fun anticipation when I'm gearing up every day for the ride home! Gives me something to look forward to! 

There are absolutely aggressive drivers on the commute. One of them bumped me a couple of weeks back (on my Friday commute home from work). There are aggressive drivers everywhere, and I just ride like ever single other individual on the road is out to get me. I've grown very much more aware of my surrounding riding a motorcycle, and I've gotten better at judging what the idiots on the road are going to do next.

Work up to freeway/highway commuting. There's no need to use that hour-long commute to work as your very first freeway experience. I worked up to freeway a bit at a time. When I finally did start commuting to work, I woke up extra early so that traffic was lighter. Going home, I took the less-crowded freeway, even though it was a bit longer. Heck, now I take the other freeway sometimes cuz it's a bit longer!   

In the beginning, it's definitely a bit nerve-wracking, because you have to pay attention to so much out on the road. But your body learns what to do, and your eyes learn where to look, and you get used to the heavy traffic and idiot drivers. BUT...you never let down your guard.   I used to arrive home from my commute mentally exhausted, but now I arrived home invigorated! 

Now, a day without commuting on my bike is like a day without sunshine! 

Quote from: Mitch on June 09, 2006, 06:50:39 AM
A question: how do you deal with soccer moms in 20 feet long SUV's talking on their cell phone while doing their hair and drinking coffee?

I pass them and then put my fist, with my thumb and pinkie out, like I'm on a phone, up to my helmet and then make a "hanging up" motion.  I've had a few get the idea.  I've had a couple that I didn't hang around for by splitting in the rain at a red light.   

I was thinking of riding my bike to/from work, as most job sites are within 10 mins of my house.. then I realized I work in shorts... and that's not good for riding.. plus, I do construction.. so at the end of a 12 - 13 hour day, I'm not gonna wanna put a jacket, helmet, and gloves (ALL BRAND NEW!) on my nasty, smelly, sweaty self... darn, sounded fun too! (I pick up my bike sunday.. yay!)

Every day I ride to work, I feel depressed everytime I pull into the parking lot, knowing that the current ride was about to end.  When I dismount my beauty, I look back and think, "Until next time..."