Since August, I've commute by bike 87 days, so about 3000 miles including side trips, not including recreational riding. This month it's been 11 bike commute days, the rest were work from home or taking a day off.
Awesome! I started biking around the same time, but you've put on 3X the mileage :-) It's been a real life changer. When I started I had to stop at least 2 times on my commute home to catch my breath and now I'm trying to find ways to extend my ride! Feel great too. Lost 15 lbs (230 to 215).
What have you noticed since you started biking in August?
That's awesome that you stuck with it, and that you've adapted to the physical part! I bet the weight loss is just one of the upsides you've noticed from cycling, there are more.
It wasn't really a physical thing for me. I'm 31, and started cycling heavily when I was 14 while my family was living in Germany, so it's nothing new for me. I did an ironman race in 2010 along with some other triathlons, run 5Ks and half- and full marathons, just enjoy staying in shape overall (not trying to toot my own horn, just giving some background).
The big reason was mental health. Since moving to Atlanta in 2006, I've commuted to work via motorcycle... and almost every single day I'd get to work stressed, frustrated, angry, or depressed because of the selfishness/carelessness/assholeness of the people around me. I'd be useless at work for 15-30 minutes. After a long day, arriving at home in the same state. I envy people who don't let idiots get to them... but try as hard as might to shrug things off, I get agitated. Anyway... we welcomed our first child into the world at the end of July 2012. I wanted to use my time efficiently and still get a workout in, so rather than running 7 miles or strength training over lunch, I switched to bike commuting. I'm guaranteed two workouts a day, save gas and wear and tear on the car, enjoy all kinds of weather, and most importantly, I get to work energized, and I get home with a smile on my face. While I still interact with traffic, it's different. I couldn't remove the drivers that were causing me stress, so I removed myself from them instead. Sure, people still do stupid things, but it's much easier to brush off when you only see the person for a few seconds, rather than having to be in their vicinity for miles. Anyway, enough rambling... that's the difference since August, I'm mentally healthier. :)