Commuting - New Job, New Route, do you take it?

I did some discovering this week. I got a call for an interview for a new job that would be around 25 mile commute one way. I know because I mapped and rode it the day before the interview, and then rode it the day of the interview. There are other routes I didn't look into, but will as the need arises.

My question to the other commuters is do you consider milage/time spent on the bike when deciding on taking, better pay, benefits, retirement, more involved job, over a quick commute, can add more miles when and if I want to, no raise since I started 2 years ago, no chance of one in the future(funding cuts), health and dental, no retirement, no chance for movement.

I'm answering my own question, I think. I just am looking at 50 mile days, and 250 mile weeks before i even get to my riding for enjoyment. I don't want to burn out on this commute stuff, cause I really love commuting, and all that goes with it.

Any similar experiences out there?

This is not an answer based upon your main question (commuting distance) but upon life experience.

As an older rider, I would recommend retirement benefits as a major consideration to any job. You will be surprised how quickly life goes by and you will be facing this reality. George Harrison said that it is surprising who quickly 40 years can go by.

Just my $.02

Naisme, we all get the same 24 hours every day, the difference is on how we spend it. What do you prefer? Quickly getting to a dead end job that doesn't and won't pay well with poor benefits? Or one that takes a while to get to but is more satisfying, has better potential and better benefits???

You can always come up with a compromise commute - drive part way, then ride, if that's the only issue preventing you from taking the new job - or you can always move closer to the job!

If public transportation or other alternative is available how about alternating? Ride in one day public transportation home and back in the next day. Ride home, etc.. Or round trip one day, alternative the next day. There are many possibilities. Any commuting would get you on the bike more than none.

I'd consider the benefits, increase in pay, etc. before considering the bike stuff. It sounds like a great opportunity- you'll figure out away around that bike situation. So go for it!

Koffee

I tend to look at the entire picture. Benefits are important, but once you have bread on the table, it's the total quality of life that counts.

So, a 1-hour bike commute in a nice environment is great, but not a 1-hour commute in a nasty environment, with red lights every corner, fly infestations everywhere, etc. And a 1-hour bike commute by bike is nicer than a 30-45 minute commute by car, unless that commute happens on a winding road that I can drive at decent speed -- in the wilderness, for example.

A 10-minute commute is nicer than a 1-hour commute, period!

I would also consider the whole picture. You plan to spend 1,5 to 2 hours commuting per direction, which means a total of 4 hours per day. Add that to your 7- or 8-hour workday, and it may be hard to manage if you have children and want to see them during the week... Besides, how good would be those 8 hours spent at work!

Regards,

My old job was a 26 mile round trip commute. I drove my car, and it could easily stretch to two hours per day on the road. That was too much, particularly as I was about to become a father. As a bike commute, it would have been a consistant 4 hours a day on the road. That would have been out of the question -- and I don't ride on the weekends, except when I am at the beach, where a car is not available..

In your position, I'd take the new job and drive. I'd consider moving closer to the new job to make the commute more bearable.

Paul