Thanks for ALL of the suggestions! I think I have used a tip from just about each of the posts! My actual commute is 11 miles, exactly, and usually takes me about 45 minutes - I hope to get faster, eventually. Luckily, 3 of those miles are bike trails! The frontage road is the worst, as the sides are decayed and full of potholes, so I am encroaching into the middle of the "lane", which has brought me some close calls and honks or shouts. I just bought a new red helmet with 24 vents, along with the back light, which flashes, and the mirror.

I am carrying most of my gear (including my purse) in my backpack, which is causing severe shoulder muscle pain, which I have problems with, anyway. I'm going to take the suggestion of bringing my food and clothes (AND shoes!) ahead of time, but that darned purse is really an issue. I also bought a quick-release rack for the back, so hopefully, it alleviates the severity of the pain, but I am so suceptible to it because I tend to tighten my shoulders when I ride... any other suggestions?

It's funny, last May, I rode in an organized ride along Lake Michigan in 55-degree weather and swore I would never again ride below 60. Now, 40-ish is definitely do-able. Very cool!