Long Distance Commute ...

[Mark1978]

I did my first commute to work @ 36 miles each way last week. Managed it ok (apart from the rain and falling off). I decided that the best way to do it is to drive in on the morning, cycle home and then cycle back in the next day. Twice a week would be the max i would do this. The other benefit is that you can lock your bike in the car during the day and not worry too much about it being outside on a bike rack. Also means that i can leave my changing gear in the office the day before.

I also ate about 10 kilos of home made flapjacks.

 

[dan_bo]

I'd be doing a lot of nothing the rest of the time if I was commuting 70 miles a day.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I occasionally (like last Tuesday) do a day which is 12.5 miles (361ft ele) in and 31.6 miles (1786ft ele) home and I wouldn't like to do it every day, let alone stretching the in route to full distance (I've promised myself I'll do the full day door to door at least once this year though). I'm riding around 15mph average. The one day is fine, but the toll of doing it day after day would soon mount up and even with relatively short hours it bites in to my free time.

Normally I do the journey as 2 x 12.5 miles, using the car to do the rest. Much more manageable. I'd seriously consider that to start off with, or mix public transport and riding through the week. One of the reasons I've not done the full door to door commute is that to be in for 08:45 I'd be starting to roll at 06:15 and I'm not normally properly out of bed at that time, let alone ready to go. It's easier taking the extra time on the ride home, I just need to have my schedule fit that way as my arrival time back home is in my own hands, not a work schedule.

As others have said, only you really know, but considering you'll be bedding in to a new job at the same time, it sounds like a lot to take on.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

My view for what it is worth.

I am currently doing 350+ miles a week commuting and all I do when I get home is eat and sleep. I have the added benefit that this is an extended commute, so if I need to get to work/home early I can easily do it, you won't have this luxury.

35 miles each way is going to be 2hrs 20 minutes at an average of 15mph, therefore assuming you are working 9-5 you are going to have to be leaving the house before 06:30 so that you have time to be work ready at the end of the commute, and won't be getting home until around 19:30.

You will be forever in the lbs getting the bike maintained, ideally you want a second bike (or third!) so you can continue to commute when one is being worked on

You will have no time for a social life during the week, you will be constantly tired and you will need to become very friendly with the lbs, but if you do it you have that permanent glow and buzz that you are doing something you enjoy and are getting benefits from.

In my opinion it is doable - give it a go, if it becomes too much don't do it every day, it isn't the end of the world

 

[I like Skol]

This is all getting a bit academic. I don't think the OP is coming back, hasn't been seen since asking the question.

 

[AndyRM]

Maybe she's been working and riding 70 miles a day since? Not much time for messing about on here in that case!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

This is all getting a bit academic. I don't think the OP is coming back, hasn't been seen since asking the question.

View attachment 52699

Maybe she is still cycling to work.