So I will soon be getting a new bike w/ the intention of using it to commute to work. I'm looking for some advice from you ladies on lessons learned, good/bad experiences, etc about commuting. I'm more of a mountain bike girl who does the occasional road ride. Right near my house there is a park with a giant shoulder on the road for bikers that I always use. I'm comfortable on the road, know the laws etc but really I have limited experience with riding on really busy roads.

My commute isn't going to be so nice. In Michigan, there are no shoulders. It's just lane-curb. I've driven a couple different routes and haven't found any shoulders except the occasional gravel/pothole type one. So, I'm a little nervous about riding along a road w/ a 45mph speed limit and no shoulder. I have a minimum 15 mile commute (mapped out a few friendlier routes that bring it to 16.5 miles).

I'm hoping to begin my commuting adventures next week. Any tips you girls would like to pass along? I'm hoping to leave pretty early to miss major traffic, but you never know. I'm going to start out on the friendlier routes that are through side streets, neighborhoods to avoid the major roads. It will add a little distance, but I feel it's safer so it's worth it. Also, how do you girls handle left turns. Do you take the sidewalks or go all out and take your place in the left hand lane? I think I'll be taking the sidewalks....