1. Investigating sidewalk paths (b/c riding on the road is not a safe option in some places)from the car as you drive can be deceptive. A few times I had to hop off and walk my bike due to 6 inch differences in pavements that I never saw when I was originally planning my first commute.

2. My bike will tell me when it does not like the way I changed a gear!

3. I really need to practice changing gears and understanding which way what shifter changes so I don't accidentally shift to a harder gear when facing a monster hill.

4. Hills don't seem so bad when planning a route from the car. However, even slight hills that last over a mile can be tiresome. And monster hills are...well, monster hills!

5. Cars are scary. Especially Mr. Landrover who decided to shave 10 seconds off his drive time to the grocery store by speeding past me (very close!) only to slow down and cut to the right in front of me to get to the turn lane. $&%&$!

6. Cars are a motivating factor. No way did I slack off on my 4.2 mile ride! I wanted to get to where I was going ASAP!


All in all, it was ... good. I survived. And I can't wait to get back out there.