Furthest distance you would consider commuting

[400bhp]

That's half the fun, planning the route.

In terms of max commute, I'd suspect 30 total a day would be enough for me (so, about an hour each way) IF I was doing it each day.

I'd consider doing 100 total in a day once a week, or 60 twice a week.

I guess another way of looking at it would be no more than 10 hours in the saddle per week.

 

[biking_fox]

Wow. Doing it everyday, I'd place my limit a lot lower than most who've posted here. 12mi each way was about it - 45min riding or so. I found 8mi to be about ideal - 30mins. ENough time to make it worth riding, but short enough that you don't need much recovery, and can do useful things with the rest of the day. 1 hour would probably be an absolute max limit. and I would often find excuses not to ride in I suspect.

Currently my route is too short at 5.5, but given it's all urban, adding extra miles doesn't seem fun, because there aren't any "nice" miles to add. I could use the TPT but there are so many gates across it, that again it loses the efficiency that makes it worthwhile.

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi (and extra-Hi to all those who remeber me, sorry not been around for a while)
I did a 40 mile round trip 2-3 days a week for a year or so, starting in the suburbs, running right through London and out to the west of town. For me it was not about distance or time...it was all about terrain.

I share my route with many riders on this site (Bentmikey, Ianrauk etc) and take the A21 from Kent. I find riding through town is simple and very fast, despite the traffic and the lights I feel i could ride much, much further than I do (once I am in town) however, on my return leg, after around 15 miles I reach the "burbs" again and the traffic becomes much faster (making me feel much slower) I face an eternal headwind (every day without fail) and a slow monotonous uphill ride for 5 miles that really saps my remaining strength and leaves me feeling drained when I get home.

It’s a terrible end to the day for me (I know others do not feel the same).

When I get to work I feel invigorated and healthy, when I get home I feel knackered and …old.

So, check out the bikehike website and take a good look at the terrain. A hill in the middle is probably perfect as you will have a good 10 miles to recover each way and get back to rhythm.

Having said all that, I personally would prefer a 15 mile commute (30 mile round trip) that I could do every day as I have never managed more that 4 days in a week and averaged 3 (so plenty of 2 day weeks)

Incidentally, I did this on a 15 year old mountain bike that is still my hack bike today, so don’t be concerned about equipment just yet.

Good luck



Jonny

PS...I'm just getting into the same ride again this year and am working up to a 3 day week...not there yet, but I should be matchfit by July

 

[BentMikey]

Wooo Jonny's back! Why don't you get a road bike mate, it'll be much much easier. Plus don't think too much of Bromley hill, it's only a little one really.

 

[jonny jeez]

Wooo Jonny's back! Why don't you get a road bike mate, it'll be much much easier. Plus don't think too much of Bromley hill, it's only a little one really.

Shhhh, dont tell Chitty but I'm about to order a Planet X sl pro carbon for summer commutes and weekend rides (I just want to get a few opinions on the whole carbon thing first). If that solves the hills issue then I will be mighty pleased. its not just Bromley hill but the run up from lewisham in the wind and slight incline...hate it.

 

[ianrauk]

Welcome back Johnny, you have been missed....

As what Mikey said... don't worry about Bromley Hill or even the ride up from Lewisham. On a road bike you will have it far easier then you currently do with your hack. That Carbon baby will fly. It will change your whole outlook to your commute. Let me know when you plan to be doing the A21 back as would be more then happy to accompany you and let you draft me up the hill.

.

 

[jonny jeez]

Welcome back Johnny, you have been missed....

As what Mikey said... don't worry about Bromley Hill or even the ride up from Lewisham. On a road bike you will have it far easier then you currently do with your hack. That Carbon baby will fly. It will change your whole outlook to your commute. Let me know when you plan to be doing the A21 back as would be more then happy to accompany you and let you draft me up the hill.

.

Hi Ian, thanks matey.

I've blocked out meetings each Tuesday and Thursday to allow me to ride in and out both days each week.

So if you’re around?

I've been riding in one day a week for the last 4 weeks now and will push that to two next week. I am already loving the ride in and am running at about an hour and 5…the home run is still an issue for me tho,(never less than and hour ...and 20 usually 90 mins) so I hope both You and BM are right otherwise I’ll have the worlds most expensive clothes horse sitting at home.

Also, taking the advice I’ve offered others (back in the day), I now have a pretty regular ride buddy (would be really glad to add another to the massive peleton and make three of us!) I find this particularly helpful not just for the company (an hour and 20 minutes in the saddle can be tiresome on your own) but mostly because it means that a buddy is "expecting" me, so there’s no backing out (you'd be amused with the excuses I find for not riding home somedays).

Trouble is my ride bud is a triathlete, who does 5 mile runs in the morning *before* riding 22 miles from biggin hill 4 days a week in tracksuit and trainers ...makes you sick!

 

[BentMikey]

The bike will make a bit of difference, but the bigger difference you can make yourself, by riding more often and more slowly.

What bike does your mate ride, I wonder if I've seen him on my travels?

 

[jonny jeez]

The bike will make a bit of difference, but the bigger difference you can make yourself, by riding more often and more slowly.

What bike does your mate ride, I wonder if I've seen him on my travels?

He rides a pretty basic black claud Butler. Very easy to spot as he wears a pink helmet (seriously) and generally a pair ronhills, trainers and a high vis gillet with long red or black sleeves.

He generall runs a straignt line from downe village through to Kensington via crystal pallace and tulse hill, but makes an exception to ride in with me a couple of times a week along the A21 over westminster and through the parks.

Funnily enough we've met at your haunt at the Albert memorial the last few tuesdays and i've kept my eye out for you.

 

[BentMikey]

Oh, that seems a slightly different route going across my usual one. I've missed a few Tuesdays lately, but was there last night.

 

[Origamist]

I'd not want to be riding more than 1h 15mins each way, 5 days a week.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Currently my route is too short at 5.5, but given it's all urban, adding extra miles doesn't seem fun, because there aren't any "nice" miles to add. I could use the TPT but there are so many gates across it, that again it loses the efficiency that makes it worthwhile.

This isn't necessarily true. I used to love extending my commute around the West Midlands, often actually getting out of the conurbation and into the countryside as a result.

 

[Matthames]

I tested the route I would take, 23 miles in 1 hour 35mins. I did have a little bit of help thanks to the wind. Anyway I don't even know if I will get the job yet, all depends on what happens on Friday. If I get the job, I probably think I would stick some slicks on my bike to make the job easier. If the weather is rubbish or I am tired, getting the train is a doddle. The only thing about the route though is it takes me on a cycle path that cuts across a field full of sheep. So need to find out what get out of the way is in sheep.

 

[jonny jeez]

I tested the route I would take, 23 miles in 1 hour 35mins. I did have a little bit of help thanks to the wind. Anyway I don't even know if I will get the job yet, all depends on what happens on Friday. If I get the job, I probably think I would stick some slicks on my bike to make the job easier. If the weather is rubbish or I am tired, getting the train is a doddle. The only thing about the route though is it takes me on a cycle path that cuts across a field full of sheep. So need to find out what get out of the way is in sheep.

I'm pretty sure its..."Air Zound!"

http://www.airzound.co.uk/