When I got my first bike-shop bike with a computer, it was over a year later I think when I went back for a new helmet to celebrate 1000 miles. (The helmet was older or it didn't fit or something.) Probably rode a little more the next couple years but it was mostly summer. THen I added sometimes commuting (2.5 miles each way) to work.

It's gradually taken over. I'm up to 7500 + for the last two years, but this year that Xtracycle (well, and the state of the world) has pushed me across a threshold of reluctance to use the car for anything at all close. I'm only 7 miles from work, but often I take a 15 mile route to get here. I hit 1000 miles in mid March, my earliest, and I'm 'way ahead of the car (1275 bike - 596 car). I'm afraid that 30 mph winds and thunderstorms weren't enough to get me in the car this week... I've found I don't dissolve (or get cold) in the rain.

There are lots of creative ways to commute, though: "park and ride" at either end, etc. At least find a route so that on a really nice day, when you feel like it, you can make it a great bike day and ride in. Give yourself that extra 15 minutes for cleaning up... maybe let 'em know hey, you're trying something new and might be late (have a cell phone?).

Also figure out how to use the bike for all the little local stuff, though there are some parts of this town I really don't like to drive to... but my tolerance has been getting better and I'm getting more willing to negotiate traffic. Drivers are still amazingly nice. I think the main thing is to gradually increase what you do (like all addictions - you don't start out thinking you'll end up obsessed! It sneaks up on you!), at your pace.

We have this idea that cars are *so* much mroe convenient than bikes, but actually it's because we've gradually developed habits. I realized that now, the car is almost less convenient than the bike because *it* is the thing that is different and I have to ask myself "okay, what do I need to have?" I'm the most disorganized absent minded slob (spontaneous, creative genius?) yo'ull ever hear about... but I count off on my fingers "helmet, sunglasses, water, keys, pump, gloves, phone" and I'm out there (usually without at least one of those thigns because I can't find it, but at least I know I can't find it).