Longest commute possible?

[Matthew_T]

I have recently been thinking about commuting to work when I find a job. I am most probably going to get one in Chester which is about 20 miles away from me. It is easy to get to as there is a main road that leads straight there.
But I was thinking if 20 miles, everyday, twice a day, would be too much?

I am not getting a job at the moment because I only have 2 days off college but after that I will b looking for full time work for one day leave to do a degree.

 

[4F]

I think that the focus should be on time rather than distance. I have found that 80 mins each way is the max I was comfortable with 5 days a week which means my normal commute plus the option of an additional 5 miles depending on weather / mood etc

 

[fossyant]

You can do it - I did it as a youngster but 5 days was hard work when racing at weekends, so did at least 3-4 days a week, 1 rest day.

What route would you take from Prestatyn - the coast road will bore you to death up to Fflint - on the tops ? To those that don't know the area, the coast road is far enough away from the coast that you don't see it, and it's either boring flat single carriageway or dual carriageway

 

[ianrauk]

You're a young lad aren't you?
If I can do a 35 mile round commute at the age of 45 (and there are a lot of others on here that do similar distances) then I am pretty sure that you can do a 40 mile round commute. Go for it. (But no red light jumping

)

 

[akb]

MTFU and go for it

 

[martint235]

I'd echo 4F. The distance isn't a problem, as with all forms of commuting it all depends how much time you're willing to spend. When I first moved to the south, I lived in Ashford but figured that spending 3 hours of my day on a train to London was just too much.

You're probably looking at 2 and half hours a day, I think I'd do it cos it'd be better than catching a train but whether or not you do is up to you.

 

[gbb]

Or do what i intend to do, once i get some safe routes sorted...drive half way with the bike in the hatchback, then cycle the remainder.
I'm facing a 23 mile each way commute from next week. No way am i spending that amount of time on the bike everyday, especially with winter coming, but i reckon i could compromise and do 10 miles each way easily....just got to find a good route...and find somewhere safe to park the car, mind it'll be in the middle of the fens.

 

[fossyant]

Time is a big factor.

When I was doing the 20 miles each way, it was up at 6, out by 6.30, at work by 7.30 (took between 53 mins and an hour for 20 miles) then in work before 8. Finished at 4, and home by 5.30.

Just before my current job, I had been working 30 miles from home. Before I left I started doing one or two days a week cycling the 60 miles return. This meant being out on the road by 6.30 to get to work about 8.15. Finished work at 5'ish - and got home at 7.30pm. Add in getting changed, it was a long day and with family ties was a bit too much time out.

Just need to pick an interesting route.

 

[jonny jeez]

You're a young lad aren't you?
If I can do a 35 mile round commute at the age of 45 (and there are a lot of others on here that do similar distances) then I am pretty sure that you can do a 40 mile round commute. Go for it. (But no red light jumping

)

+1. Ians been doing it for years now.

I've just began to get to 5 days a week (am averaging 4 as i missed a day or so over the last 4 weeks) and am finding it a lot easier that I expected...my route is a 40 mile return.

 

[Andrew_P]

Hills would be the biggest indicator for me, they are what would knock my legs out on a weekly commute basis.

46 unfit and doing 5 x 30 mile days with 500ft each way my legs start to tire near the end of the week but only feel it on the hills if it were 250ft or less each way I reckon I could easily add 10 miles a day.

 

[Alien8]

Yes, time not distance is the thing.

I couldn't fit in much more than a couple of hours of commuting time a day.

Then you need to adjust your intensity for fitness level, whether you use your commute for training, etc.

But 20-miles each way, unless it's really hilly, no problem once you get in to it.

 

[growingvegetables]

drive half way with the bike in the hatchback, then cycle the remainder.

Or take the bike on the train for the most boring bit?

 

[Matthew_T]

Or take the bike on the train for the most boring bit?

Well once i start working I would hopefully get a car then, but the train is a good idea. I dont really think I would be up to the challenge of riding 20 miles, in the cold, on a dark monday morning.

 

[Andrew_P]

I dont really think I would be up to the challenge of riding 20 miles, in the cold, on a dark monday morning.

One of the best feeling crisp and dark! You have to build up to it and get through the intial pain, once it becomes the norm for you body it takes less mental effort to leave on the bike. I hate taking the car now, I miss the chemicals the bike ride generates.

 

[martint235]

Well once i start working I would hopefully get a car then, but the train is a good idea. I dont really think I would be up to the challenge of riding 20 miles, in the cold, on a dark monday morning.

You don't have to do it. That's one of the best things about cycle commuting, you have a choice.

I cycle all year round whatever the weather but then, and I expect Ian to join me in this, I love being on a bike. Cold, wet, don't feel like it, get a train. No one is counting.