feasible commute distance

[ColinJ]

A mate of mine used to commute about the same distance from Hebden Bridge to Padiham (near Burnley). It involved a fair amount of climbing. He was very fit so he had no problem with the distance or the hills but he worked on his feet all day and found that he gradually got tired through the week. By the time the weekend came round he felt like a rest and he was reluctant to do long hilly rides with me.

He tried to do 5 days a week by bike but in the winter he cut back to about 3. What really got to him at that time of year wasn't the weather but the stress of riding in heavy traffic in the dark. He said that there would be at least one or two incidents every day where some idiot almost killed him.

 

[Nigeyy]

I think it all depends. It depends on your commuting route, how fit you are, how much time commuting on a bike versus other means takes, how long you can spend on the road, etc.

I have a 23.5 mile each way commute -but I really only do it once a week. Usually I'll park the car halfway (I park at a fire station after getting the OK to do so), and do a 12 mile "half commute" in. Since the full 23.5 mile commute in takes me 1 1/2-1 3/4 hours, that makes for 3 -3 1/5 hours of commuting per day, not really very acceptable for me. Contrast this to the fact it takes me 25 minutes by car. If I was single without kids I'd be much more inclined to do this every day, but family takes precedence on this one (I also have to be honest -cycling 47 miles every day for 5 days a week would leave me tired!)

For me, I've always thought that a 10-15 mile commute would be perfect; long enough to get a nice work out, short enough to make for a fast commute on the bike.

Depending on your fitness and willingness for saddle time, I'd think a 17 mile each way commute would be fine.

 

[davidtq]

Depends largelly on your route and pace. I only do 7 miles each way now 4 days a week, but I tend to push the pace and its a hilly route. 7 miles each way is enough for me to have to sit down when I get home.

A couple of months ago I went out for a "longer" ride with a friend I think it was something like 26 miles, but the course was mostly flat and the pace was relaxed -15-16 mph max cruising. I finished the course without bothering to drink or have anything to eat, and felt as if I could easily do the same distance again without a problem, despite the fact that Im not used to "distances" the slightly slower pace and less hills made it easily achievable. The 26 miles flatish route and gentle riding was far less exhausting than my 7 miles one way journey at pace with big hills.

Of course "pacing yourself" is easier if you are cycling with someone else at the same pace, I have a natural tendancy to push myself and left to my own devices will invariably try to go faster than my body is able to keep up long term.

 

[Wobbles]

Peejay - It'll be a piece of p1ss for you judging by what you're used to.

Why not use the Colnago every day to make it even more fun. You don't need a winter bike to do it. ( I used to have a winter bike but flogged it - now use my C50 all year round as it's too nice to leave for fair weather riding)

I do 13 miles each way everyday and most often try to make it longer - specially this time of year.

Have fun

 

[Tetedelacourse]

I'd be gubbed if that was me but then I rarely get a full night's kip (no I'm not a lothario, I have young kids).

You don't want to be drained for your weekend rides mind. Only one way to find out though!

Good luck

 

[Notsoblue]

A mate of mine commutes from Bath to Bristol a couple times a week and he gets on fine. Its one of the best cycle routes in the country imho.

 

[welshcyclist]

Definitely feasible commute, I've worked up from about 6-7 miles, to over 19 miles each, over the past year, and I'm loving it, even though I'm still overweight at 16st 7lbs, and am riding a Carrera Subway 8. Just go for it, sometimes we all think too long and hard about these decisions.

 

[Big T]

I used to commute 21 miles each way on the bike. Great in the summer but no so nice in the winter. If doing it all year round, you'll need a decent set of rechargable lights.

I used to feel tired and habitually used to fall asleep in the armchair, in the evening. Can be quite hard on the bike too - I used to wear out tyres, chains, brake blocks and wheels fairly regularly.

 

[ColinJ]

Can be quite hard on the bike too - I used to wear out tyres, chains, brake blocks and wheels fairly regularly.

Ditto with my friend's bike, but he was lucky - he worked in a bike shop so he got all his spares at trade price . He used a cheap hybrid bike for his winter commutes and only switched back to a decent road bike about a month after they stopped gritting the roads. He liked to leave time for rain to wash the salt and crap away - that's what really wears out bike parts.