newfsmith...fully agree with your points... when I was setting up to commute to the office, I already had to plan to leave clothes in locker and laptop in office beforehand, then I considered the ride itself:18 miles door to door (one-way), but the roads and traffic were a big turn-off...no shoulders, never mind bike lanes in too many spots, so at first I drove to a spot about 5 miles from office and rode in. Then I decided to ride to a park & ride lot and commute into the office mostly on an urban bike trail...15 miles each way. Sure, I still had to plan ahead to have "work" clothes and laptop at office after I showered and needed to work, but it's a great commute! This way, I get more mileage out of it, also need lights on the AM commute, and the trail is a safer, no-traffic alternative for me. I use my heavier commuter bike, with rack and fenders till summer, then break out my lighter, sleeker 'event' bike when it starts getting lighter out nice and early in the AM. Many of my office colleagues notice and comment on how I start to "twitch" and look longingly outside by mid-afternoon as I'm eager to get back out there on my bike. It's the best jump-starter in the world as well as the perfect 'de-stresser' on the return trip.
Also, I chuckle to myself when I remember the slang term for bike commuters: gutter bunnies!
There's a big club of the same name in the Bay Area, CA; and each has their own specific designation, ie, a doctor cyclist goes by 'band-aid bunny'...a fun group!
Happy commuting!
Mary