Commuting - A couple questions

How far do some of you go on your commute. As a paramedic I can get moved around. The closest station to me is 8 miles which is the one I am at now and plan to commute to. The next closest is 25 miles away. I'm fairly sure I could do it, but being that I need to be at the station at 6:45, I'd have to leave by 5:45 and wouldn't get home until after 8 at night if I'm lucky, since I work until 7 pm. Should I just stick with the close station for now. The other stations I could be sent to are almost an hour away by car so that's definitely out of the question, with working 12 hour shifts.

Also, how many days a week do you commute? I have to figure a way to bring a clean uniform to work. I was thinking I'd drive in on my second night shift. I work 2 day shifts and 2 night shifts. That way I could drop off a clean uniform for the following week. This is more of a summer concern since we wear pants and polo shirts. In the winter we wear one piece jump/flight suits that can be rolled up and not look bad.

I ride 18.5 mile each way 5 days a week, it takes me anywhere from 55 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes depending on the day, weather and me. I think your 25 mile commute is doable for sure but I think you should leave yourself more time. I don't think Lance Armstrong could ride a heavy commuter bike 25 miles each way to work every day averaging 25 miles an hour. You need to allow for the sure to occur problems, flat tires, drive trane problems and weather and also there will be some days when you just don't feel like going hard, you may just want to smell a few roses along the way. On a commute as long as 25 miles I feel an average speed of 15 mph is doing great on an everyday basis.

When I commuted, I averaged about 3.5 days a week. Taking the train on days when it rained. I would keep changes of clothes in my drawer, usually 2 complete (for 3 days). I would leave them at work and swap them out on the non-commute days. It worked out rather well.

After you do the 8 mile commute for awhile, you'll find yourself taking detours on the way home to stretch out the ride. Then it'll occur to you that you could easily do a 25 mile ride (as long as you leave yourself enough time).

The clothes issue has been covered in previous threads. Try a search in the commute forum. I have to wear a shirt and tie 4 days a week so on Sunday nights I bring my dress clothes for the week and stash them in our office shower room (I'm fortunate that way).

Originally posted by mrfix
I don't think Lance Armstrong could ride a heavy commuter bike 25 miles each way to work every day averaging 25 miles an hour.


wanna bet?:)

My commute is right around 20 miles. If I cut through town take major roads it's 18 miles, takes about 1:20, with lights hills, traffic. If I hit the bike trails it's 24 miles takes 1:40. Your 25 miles is doable, and in the heat that is finally here I love coming home after 8 hours, and 1.5 on the bike and standing in the shower for 20 minutes.
I don't know what will happen when the snow flies, it hasn't happened yet, so I'm not going to worry.