I know this is an uncool thing to say, but I hated biking to work in downtown DC. DC has done a great job adding bike lanes, but they aren't everywhere. I found it to be quite the opposite of meditative and I arrived at work sweaty and uncomfortable.
definitely - I've been riding to work in DC for 10+ years, but a shower is definitely a requirement to do it year round. I'm fortunate to work in a building now with a shower, but before that, I just got a membership at a nearby gym. The gym membership was cheaper than parking or metroing every day.
