Of course, the first bike commute was the first teen job, saving for that 'must-have' car; what a fool I was. But, 3-1/2 months of 12 mile RT on that old Schwinn 10-speed was a joy I relive regularly now. I feel the same way now, and without the baggage of wanting that car!
Did it again during the last six months of my 1st marriage, so she could have the car. Huffy cruiser. Traded it for an 11-drawer tool box when I relocated.
When I started learning bike assembly & mechanics in 2000, my bud inspired me to ride again. 18-speed Huffy rigid, friction thumbshifters. Recaptured that joy and freedom with that bike, and never lost it again. Haven't looked back, either!
Riding in the rain? Love it! The best ever was a commute home during an absolute downpour, so hard you couldn't see more than a hundred feet. Lightning, flash-floods in creeks, spray off the tires like the rooster-tail from an airboat. You couldn't chisel the smile off my face!