commuting 15 miles each way

[samsbike]

I have a commute of approximately 15 miles each way. I started about 2 years ago, had a winter break and started again this summer. I am trying to avoid a winter break this year and want to cycle in at least 2 days a week. I am also using a mtb with slicks for the winter commute.
My issue is that my commute is now taking 1.5hrs each way and sometimes longer on the way home if its windy.

I also seem to be struggling loads. Its not so bad in the morning, as its gets brighter as I get in and there are more cyclists in the morning, but the evening stretch sometimes feels like a slog.

How are others, who do this distance managing and do you have any tips etc.

thanks

 

[GrasB]

What is your typical summer times & how hard are you pushing on your commutes? If you're pushing on quite a bit in the summer you'll be down on a lot of speed as you'll not get close to the same sustained power if you're not warm enough & it's surprising how warm you actually need to be.

You will tend to ride slower in winter, it's harder to move through the air & the grease/oil in all the components is thicker & causing more resistance. On top of that you'll produce less power because your body is busy keeping you warm.

How do I survive? Well I tend to ride to time rather than to distance, normally I'll do say 2 hour commute in, if that's 30 miles or 50 miles it doesn't matter it's 2 hours on the bike for a given effort level.

 

[samsbike]

In the summer it was around 1hr 10 mins in and about 1hr 20mins out. I suspect the way in was slightly longer as I would use more road rather than the more direct cycle path. Also I managed two consecutive days without too much bother. At the moment I cant contemplate doing 2 consecutive days.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Are there finances available for a more road suitable bike. Hybrid or drop bar with bigger, thinner wheels and maybe less MTBy gear ratios?

cold weather does make you go slower anyway & the bulkier clothing & cruddier roads don't help. Its a mental discipline more necessary in winter than summer, don't compare & compete against the summer you.

perversely could you do more cycling so you're less likely to contrast your perceived difficulties with your other forms of commute?

feed and fuel properly before and if necessary during the ride (tho maybe not peeling a banana in gloves in the rain on the move )

but cycling should be about enjoyment, if you're really not happy it & can't see a way to make it fun, take a break, the more of a chore you make it, the worse you'll do. Again, its in your head to find the reason, even if it is only the warm endorphin rush that kicks in 10 minutes after a sub zero hour of masochism riding in.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

My commute is 70 minutes to work and 140 from work, and has been so for 2 years now. What keeps me doing it is the knowledge that my commute is my exercise session, hence no need to schedule time specifically for exercise .

 

[Easytigers]

15 miles is a fair old commute so well done! Just keep at it and invest in a lighter, more road oriented bike (as mentioned above). I used to commute on an old mountain bike then switched to a Specialized Sirrus Elite and it made all the difference in the world (only beaten when finally convinced to buy a road bike...it's a lot faster but then again all of my commute is on road).
Good luck and keep going!

 

[samsbike]

I have a boardman pro mtb, I thought that would be pretty good. It only weighs 13kg in commuter trim which is the same as my old genesis equilibrium 10.

 

[buggi]

a road bike or hydrid would cut your time significantly and make sure you are warm, get some new clothing if you're not

 

[BrumJim]

Different attitude. 5 miles can be done pushing hard all the way, and therefore you don't need many layers. I used to do 6 miles in nothing more than a base layer on my torso (buff, extra socks, etc keeping the rest warm) in near zero temperatures and still get to work nice and warm. Sub-zero and I would put a fleece on. 15 miles needs a more measured expenditure of energy, and therefore more clothing.

 

[GrasB]

Different attitude. 5 miles can be done pushing hard all the way, and therefore you don't need many layers. I used to do 6 miles in nothing more than a base layer on my torso (buff, extra socks, etc keeping the rest warm) in near zero temperatures and still get to work nice and warm.

This is a great way to put huge strand on your body making injury & illness much more likely!

 

[BrumJim]

This is a great way to put huge strand on your body making injury & illness much more likely!

Always been pretty fit and healthy until I stopped, and then picked up lots of illnesses. However arrival of a son may have had some influence in that!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I have a commute of approximately 15 miles each way. I started about 2 years ago, had a winter break and started again this summer. I am trying to avoid a winter break this year and want to cycle in at least 2 days a week. I am also using a mtb with slicks for the winter commute.
My issue is that my commute is now taking 1.5hrs each way and sometimes longer on the way home if its windy.

I also seem to be struggling loads. Its not so bad in the morning, as its gets brighter as I get in and there are more cyclists in the morning, but the evening stretch sometimes feels like a slog.

How are others, who do this distance managing and do you have any tips etc.

thanks

I split the ride up into mental chunks. I try and do twenty miles on the home trip but will tick off the first five miles and tell myself I have a fifteen mile ride home, at ten miles it is now just a ten mile ride, at fifteen I am virtually home.

Are you on Strava? If so either set up yourself some segments on it or find some that are already on your route, three or four at a mile or two and you can split the ride up in to nice small chunks, pootle between the segments and ride harder on the segments and the commute will soon pass.

 

[DCLane]

I do 10+ miles each way, currently 10-25 in and 10-20 back, on 4-5 days a week. 10 miles takes 30-40 minutes, depending upon the route and the 20 mile is 1 hour 10.

It's a lot easier on a road bike than an MTB - and quicker too. The road bike (currently at cheap secondhand one from Decathlon) is about 11kg but faster than my 11kg MTB. I do vary my route a bit, which changes things and helps sometimes.

Also, we all have off days. Taking a day off and then re-starting sometimes helps.

 

[Boothy]

I commute 12.5 miles each way. I used to do 1 day a week on a mountain bike in around an hour. I upgraded to a cheap hybrid and got it to about 55 minutes and twice a week. I've since got a road bike on the cycle to work scheme and I've got it down to 45 minutes, but 4 times a week. I play 5 a side footy on the other day!

The journey is at least 40 mins by car so I really feel like getting the road bike has made a big difference. As its on the cycle to work scheme it is only costing me a monthly amount, rather than a lot up front and I'm saving more than that amount in petrol anyway.

Hope that helps to give you a feel for how upgrading the bike can make a difference!

 

[David Parry]

Some great advice here. I cycle in the Vancouver area, and the winters are wet with temps between roughly -2 and 5 degree Celsius. A waterproof, insulated balaclava changed radically my comfort in the winter months, and you don't realise how frigging sensitive the neck is to cold until you try one. Then, good boot covers, waterproof, insulated gloves, clear glasses (night), and gortex, gortex, gortex! If it becomes a grind, I'd suggest a good set of earbuds and your favourite music.