From Chicago suburbs to downtown; mostly on diagonal through streets (Elston, Shermer), with about 4 miles through a forest preserve in the middle. (usually see some deer; have seen a coyote, a fox -- and way too many skunks, rabbits, squirrels and raccoons.
Male, 50 year old professional (marketing research, statistics, and products that can be designed by use of gigantic marketing databases). Married, 2 teenagers. When I don't bike commute downtown I bike to the train station and take the train in. I might drive to work maybe once a year.
too easy to do it just in the summer. Last winter was the first time I commuted all through the winter (although less frequently, about once every 2 weeks). Cold, frozen water, and darkness add interesting challenges. I guess this is why I do it, because it is a challenge. George Halas (founder of the Chicago Bears and the NFL) said, in his old age, that even if he had a bad day he would always end it by doing some time on a stationary bike, so he could end the day a winner (having accomplished a physical challenge).