Longest commute possible?

[ianrauk]

this, right now, is my biggest challenge.

Really? I am very surprised that people would find a long commute boring. Even when taking the same route everyday come rain or shine.
My morning route is 18 miles and I wouldn't describe it as boring (the route is boring though) as i'm on a bike and that's what I enjoy and matters.
And it certainly doesn't make me think it will kill my love of cycling.

I suppose some of us enjoy the daily cycling grind and cycling overall much more then others.

 

[BlackPanther]

After 2 years commuting, I don't even think about it now, I just cycle to work every day. 11.5 miles/45 mins. It's definitely down to time rather than the distance. I don't mind getting up 20 mins earlier than if I used the motorbike.

The return journey takes 35 mins if I'm feeling eager, only 15 mins longer than I used to do on the motorbike (heavy traffic), so really I'm only losing 15 mins with the kids in the evening.

I reckon my limit would be if it took say, 1 hr 15 mins mark to get home. If it did, I don't think I'd be cycling 5 days out of 5 any more, 'cos I'd not see the kids enough before bed time.

I considered doing it every day, but with each stretch taking around 1h 20m, and it having to be the same route every time, I quickly realised it would just be really boring really quick, to the extent it might just kill my love of cycling.

I noticed that after around 6 months of cycling to work, I was setting off, then just appearing at work....I've never felt 'bored' doing the same route every day. I still find it relaxing having 45 mins each way where I can just chill/daydream, or listen to an educational podcast.

 

[PaulSB]

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.

This caught my eye and you might want to consider some points others haven't made. I'm 57 and started commuting, cycle-train-cycle in July. I live 43 miles from work and have to do this as I've recently been diagnosed epileptic and can't drive again till July 2012. We have three sites and depending on which I go to I do between 35-50 miles a day.

Time is an issue as one way takes 2 hours 15 minutes against 45-50 by car. The cycled parts are about 10 minutes longer than a car would take.

I love it and the time element aside it's very relaxing

Weight is just dropping off despite eating more

Prestatyn Chester by train is £12 return so you'll save a lot if cash. After six months the money saved would buy a £1500 bike!!!!!!

On the days when you really dont fancy it hop on the train but remember Virgin can be bastards towards cyclists who haven't booked. You can though book 10 minutes before departure on arrival at the station.

 

[PaulSB]

PS - prepare everything the night before, lunch etc and pack on the bike. You'll be amazed how much time it takes to do all that stuff in the morning

 

[The Jogger]

PS - prepare everything the night before, lunch etc and pack on the bike. You'll be amazed how much time it takes to do all that stuff in the morning

Very good advice, the amount of times I've had to jump in the car because I didn't do this.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Really? I am very surprised that people would find a long commute boring. Even when taking the same route everyday come rain or shine.
My morning route is 18 miles and I wouldn't describe it as boring (the route is boring though) as i'm on a bike and that's what I enjoy and matters.
And it certainly doesn't make me think it will kill my love of cycling.

I suppose some of us enjoy the daily cycling grind and cycling overall much more then others.

I love my cycle to and from work every day. I rarely cycle at the weekend anymore, but at 5 pm each night I am out like a kid from school !

My biggest regret is that at 42 I did not start this until I was 40, I would have saved a fortune, in the last 2 year alone I have calculated I have saved around 4K, plus the weight loss, I could have been a much leaner person for so much longer.

Like I said its my biggest regret, and it don't grind on me much !

 

[rowdin]

I used to cycle 26 miles a day, but i've changed my job, now i only get to cycle 4.5 miles a day. So i have to go on weekend cycle rides to try and make up the miles.

 

[CopperCyclist]

I love my cycle to and from work every day. I rarely cycle at the weekend anymore, but at 5 pm each night I am out like a kid from school !

My biggest regret is that at 42 I did not start this until I was 40, I would have saved a fortune, in the last 2 year alone I have calculated I have saved around 4K, plus the weight loss, I could have been a much leaner person for so much longer.

Like I said its my biggest regret, and it don't grind on me much !

I have the same feeling having started it at 31! I spent years thinking 'I should try cycling' but never got round to it... however, I also realise that if I had, many other things in my life may have changed as well - I may have been moving indifferent circles, may not have met my wife... best not to look back, just be pleased that you're healthier, fitter, and richer now and keep at it!

Not sure the richer aspect works though... for every penny I save on petrol I think there's a pounds spent on something new and shiny for the bike... or the n+1 bike of course...