Would it be wise for a first time commuter to...

[Matthew_T]

On the possibility that I could get a job which has been notified to me, would it be wise for me (someone who hasnt commuted) to start off with a 20 mile commute?

The route will be all along the coast with few sections of road, but is the distance feasible? I normally just potter around the local area and do 15 miles on flat land at a steady pace, but I would have to get up an hour and a half before work.
It is for a trainee job which is situated directly opposite a train station. So should I just stick to the train instead?

I probably am capable of doing 20 miles but first I would have to get my body used to the distance (I am planning to do 40 miles tomorrow anyway). But would 20 miles after work not tire me out a little too much?

I understand that people on here commute that distance but you have got used to it over the years.

 

[gaz]

It could take you only a few weeks to get used to that.

Best thing to do is a few days a week. This helps build you up to a fitness level where you can do it 5 days a week.

 

[col]

Its quiet a way for new to commuting, what about one way and the train the other untill your feeling fitter?

 

[sheddy]

No. Concentrate on keeping the job/keeping yer boss happy/get 2 feet under the table first.
Then after you've been there a while, try the bike option every other day and then ramp it up as you wish

 

[Matthew_T]

Its quiet a way for new to commuting, what about one way and the train the other untill your feeling fitter?

I was thinking about taking the train the first few days and scoping out the facilities to see if I could get changed anywhere (they should have a disabled toilet). Also to get familliar with people there and allow them to get used to me and my passion (addiction) to cycling.

For that distance, I couldnt use my new MTB as a commuter, it would be my racer (which is okay but I would have to get panniers fitted).

Whether or not I get the job, I have been meaning to boost up my mileage as my target is getting quite distant now.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

No. Concentrate on keeping the job/keeping yer boss happy/get 2 feet under the table first.
Then after you've been there a while, try the bike option every other day and then ramp it up as you wish

+1

 

[ianrauk]

you're a fit young lad full of beans. Go for it. You will be fine.

 

[400bhp]

you're a fit young lad full of beans.

Aint that the truth.

 

[potsy]

Just think of all the videos we'd have in 'commuting'

Seriously I think you'd be best doing 2 or 3 days per week and see how you go, I'm sure you'd be fine

 

[col]

I was thinking about taking the train the first few days and scoping out the facilities to see if I could get changed anywhere (they should have a disabled toilet). Also to get familliar with people there and allow them to get used to me and my passion (addiction) to cycling.

For that distance, I couldnt use my new MTB as a commuter, it would be my racer (which is okay but I would have to get panniers fitted).

Whether or not I get the job, I have been meaning to boost up my mileage as my target is getting quite distant now.

Well give it a go then, you could always get the train if needed?

 

[Moodyman]

Is that 20 miles one way? Plus how hilly is your commute?

I do 12 miles one way, with a few long climbs. It took me 4-5 months to go from zero to 5 days per week.

MacB used to ride over 20 miles one way. He then got fed up and started building and dismantling bikes instead.

 

[jonny jeez]

No. Concentrate on keeping the job/keeping yer boss happy/get 2 feet under the table first.
Then after you've been there a while, try the bike option every other day and then ramp it up as you wish

+1 couldnt agree more.

eventually though, should you dive in...i'd give =careful thought to your route. Coast roads seem to shout "WIND" to me so it could be a bit of a slog on a breezy day.

my first commute was 20 miles and I was full of trepidation. Plenty of advice from this forum got me in the saddle and it really was a lot easier than I'd thought it would be...BUT I was used to the route, had ridden it on a motorcycle for a good while and was pretty confident of my 2 wheel road skills.

But personally I would focus on settling in, setting out my goals and then start to think about riding in (and out)

 

[Matthew_T]

Details on the route:
It goes along the promenade on a traffic free route. There is about 5 miles of roads (start and end of journey).

There are 2 very steep but short hills on the coast which have equal downhills. However, the route to the place of work (Deganwy) is about 5 miles from Rhos-on-sea where the coastal path stops. So I would have to work my way up quite busy roads to the building. There are some slight hills involved but nothing to rival 'Rhuallt Hill', 'Engine Hill', 'The Wall' or 'Gwaenesgor Hill' (Locals will know them).

The winds are too a bit of a problem. They are often in the direction of either North, North East, or East. So in the mornings I would have a headwind. As the coast is quite often unprotected by hills, winds can easily be 20mph. Last year I recall them reaching 70 mph when the hurricane came over (I was out and got caught in the hail and rain).

So hills are not a problem but the wind is.

 

[furball]

I think it's pointless asking other people if you can do this. You really need to try it yourself on a non working day first, then on a day at the time of your planned commute to get a realstic idea about how long it will take including the getting out of bed, dressed and out of the door and then showering or whatever you need to do at the other end so you don't pong too much. It helps if you know the traffic conditions at the time of your proposed commute. This is the only way you can tell if this is a viable idea.
Do you plan doing this every day? Can you perhaps get the train or drive part of the way to break yourself in a bit?
I used to commute 20 miles each way on a coastal road 4 times a week until the nice road builders made me a shortcut. It didn't matter which direction I was going but I was always cycling into the wind. By the end of the week I was pretty tired.
Knowing that I'm in deep doo doo if I sleep in means I don't always get a restful nights sleep, the result is that by about three o'clock in the afternoon I have a real dip in concentration and by the end of the week I'm pretty tired.

 

[lb81]

I do around 20 miles each way every day for about 3 months now. it can be really tough if im honest and by friday im pretty knackered. im helped a bit by the hours i work as i dont leave until 12 and come back around 21.00 and now i have the route nailed its all back roads and country lanes. i think the best advice is try it as has been said already. whats good for me or others may not be for you, but no harm in trying it on weekend etc and go from there. would also agree its worth only doing 2 or 3 days a week to start with and build up to it slowly giving your body time to recover and get used to it. good luck with it regardless