Thanks for the encouragement, ladies.
NO- I won't be doing that everyday. Too long. When it's spring and lighter and warmer, I'll do it twice a week. For now I hope to do it once a week.

I think morning drivers haven't had a bad day yet, so they're nicer. At the end of the day, they've put up with more crap, so they don't have patience for a biker getting in their way.

Thanks for the eating tip, Road Raven. I can't eat because I teach, so my only lunch is at 12, and school is out at 3:45. I don't have a plan period in the afternoon, so I'll just plan on a bigger than normal lunch that day. I appreciate your tips!!!! And you're right about dawn- knowing that the daylight is coming. That does bring hope.

V- my students think it's cool. They were in awe when I told them how far I rode to work. Most of them ride their bikes, and they were like "5 minutes is a long way for me- I could never ride that far." I want to start a bike club (5th grade) and take them out for longer rides. District policy says I can't do that (liability), so I'm working on trying to figure something out. Hmmmm...