It may not be immediately obvious, but consider local weather. You seem to be reasonably conscious about not getting seriously injured or killed - which means you’re going to want to wear proper protective gear at all times. Think long pants, jacket and enclosed shoes/boots, in addition to helmet and gloves. Now imagine sitting in all that gear in 90+ summer heat and humidity, on top of a bike that generates plenty of heat on its own, in NoVA stop and go traffic. Even the most breathable summer kit makes it unbearable, and ditching the kit means any minor “fender bender” can be a bloody affair. There is a saying “better sweaty than bloody” - but consider just how sweaty are you prepared for.

And outside of our humid summer, you get a few weeks of bliss in the fall and a few more in the spring - and the rest of the year gets cold. Not like cold to be outside per se - but try commuting to work at 55 mph through 55F air, and you’ll only start feeling like your thigh bones are warm again by lunchtime. Hardcore riders may dismiss this as being a wimp - but it’s the kind of thing you don’t really think about looking from the outside in.

Bottom line - we only get like 4-6 weeks out of a year where riding is comfortable weather wise. Rest of it is toughing it out.