Am I being a sissy?

[NbyNW]

Don't know if this is an option, but is there any chance the road would feel safer if you left home 30-40 minutes earlier?

My commute is entirely on city streets, but I find that if I leave home even 20 minutes earlier, there are fewer cars on the road, and everything is quiet and calmer. It's easier for me to find gaps in traffic, like when I need to turn off of a side street onto a main street.

Same with on the way home. If I happen to work an hour late, I notice that there are fewer cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists to dodge.

Not that I want to make a habit out of spending more time at work, but I figure when I get there a bit earlier I don't have to rush through cleaning myself up, changing, getting a snack, etc.

We have a guy in our office who works 7am to 4pm. He drives, but I think with those hours he beats the worst traffic. It seems that there are a lot of people around here who work those hours, regardless of what type of transportation they use.

[Melalvai]

I vote for the church parking lot, and ask their permission for using it.
I really like the idea of buying Share the Road signs. I will remember that one.

[Tri Girl]

Heck no, you're not a sissy! I would be nervous on that stretch, too. You gotta feel safe, and if you can't then you find a away around it so you can still commute- even if it's a few miles less.
I stopped commuting to work because of a scary spot mid-way of my commute. It's a place where the homeless people sleep and there's really no way around it (without adding about 5 miles to my already long 26 mile commute) After being yelled at and scared, I decided it's not worth my nerves being shattered. I'm going to find a new way, but when I'm ready. You go with your gut, like Tahoedirtgirl said, and do what feels safe to you.

Keep at it, tho and keep enjoying those commutes!