I only manage to commute by bike just one or two days a week. Like you, it's schedule restraints that are the problem--in the summer I drive my DD to and from summer camp every day; in the school year I have after-school activities to get the kids to and meetings mid-day that I have to drive to, and two days a week are just impossible because my husband gets home from work at 8 a.m. and I have to be at work, 13 miles away, at 8:30. I wish I could commute more, but I try not to get too worked up about my limitations. These are the crazy years of my life, and it'll get better over time. When the colder weather hits, I'm going to try not to spend too much on expensive gear. I have a decent jacket, and I can layer that over some shirts and sweaters I already have. I'll need a hat to wear under my helmet, and something to keep my feet warm--I'm going to start with just wool socks there and see how I do. My biggest expense is going to be lights for my bike, but I think that's worth the investment.

One thing you might want to look into for getting your girls to soccer practice is carpooling. Carpooling is back in style--last year none of the kids in my daughter's Girl Scout troop carpooled, and this year *everyone* is in a carpool! I like it because there are fewer parents jamming the room at pickup. If you can find someone to take the girls to practice, then you can be the one to bring them home, so you'd have time to bike home from work then pick up the car to go the (presumably) shorter distance to practice.

Good luck!

Sarah