Out in the Algonquin area -- about 45 miles from downtown Chicago -- I've been bike commuting to and from work now for just about 10 years. 2 year ago I saw the odometer on that 27" hybrid max out at 9,999 miles, so mebbe I've been lucky -- but am very defensive and have a rear-view mirror on my helmet, so I can see what's going on behind me all the time -- and mostly stick to riding on raised medians or wide shoulders, instead of trying to ride in with the car traffic lanes.