ptempel

...you're on a first name basis with some of the crossing guards.

HardyWeinberg

My son is in high school now but I really came to love the middle school x-ing guards. My son gave them all cookies each holiday season.

RidingMatthew

I may not be on first name basis with the security guards in my building but they know me. They know me as the guy who rides the yellow bike haha.

ptempel

Feel free to finish my first sentence based on your experiences. Will add another one:

...you get to know other commuters on the route by name.

RubeRad

...people at work stop asking "So, are you still riding your bike to work?"

Almost 3 years in, still get it all the time.

BobbyG

I used to ride and say good morning to a crossing guard who'd been there for years. But last year I altered my route due to a new bike lane.

HardyWeinberg

... when you miss seeing a certain commuter, pedestrian, or homeless camp on your usual route

HardyWeinberg

I drove for 2 yrs after getting hit by a car and not really able to bike, and people assumed I was still biking. Now that I am back to steady biking, I feel like I should get credit for rehab but they never noticed the difference anyway...

powerhouse

You know you've been commuting a while when...

Everybody asks you why when you don't.

downwinded

You're driving home and you take the"wrong" route...the route you "normally" take when on the bike.

Archwhorides 

When you are on a first name basis with the potholes..........

Insidious C. 

...when you no longer care that enough soil has collected on your down tube and bottom bracket to cultivate a small garden.

wphamilton

You go 5 blocks out of your way to get to the trail head and realize that you have to turn around because you're in the car.

downwinded

Lol! Exactly what I was getting at.
The really bad thing is that it shows how easy it is, for most people, to just drive without really concentrating.

Archwhorides 

That's why I have to commute on a cycle - if I were driving I would be taking out bicycles and pedestrians right and left!

ptempel

I have a nice lady I talk to almost every day at 145th St in Harlem. Brightens up the day a bit.

kuroba

... when you recognize people from their bikes rather than their faces.


This too. I don't know them by name, but there are a couple characters I see on every commute, such as "girl in hi-viz vest and black panniers" or the "homeless guy with the shiba dog".

ptempel

...you have just about gone through every mechanical issue possible: broken spoke, broken chain, stiff/gunked up derailleur, bent derailleur hanger, spectacular blowout, sliced tires, bottom bracket crunching/making noise, octalink right crank arm buttered up and moves a bit, handlebar came loose, broken left and right pedals (thankfully not at same time), worn top part of cleat off, lost cleat bolt, broken shoe strap, sticking brake caliper, broken helmet strap (giro roc loc), etc...

SloButWide 

You measure your progress by the regulars you pass...

"Two lady joggers, Smith Street, I'm running late! High Schooler skateboarding to school, County Line Road, I'm ahead of schedule."


You have multiple favorite routes... Which way home? Shortest, hills? Nah, it's Friday, swing out by the Reservoir.

RubeRad

I have a nice lady who I exchange waves with, I haven't figured out yet whether I see her coming or going to/from where she lives.

IrishBrewer

Ha, done that. Autopilot syndrome.

mcours2006

I haven`t been commuting for all that long, but I have noticed that I pay very close attention to the weather, in particular, the wind.

ptempel

First thing I do when waking up is checking weather on wunderground.com. Very nice site this is.

spyguy

....you mention you had a flat tire on the way to work, and wonder why people are impressed when you say you changed it yourself in 10 minutes.

corrado33

I ask siri. She always tells me how cold it is.


also, in response to the OP:

....when driving to work is a thought that never crosses your mind.