Commuting - Do you have a long commute?

I'm trying to get a job right now in Northern Michigan. If I move back I have a place to stay that is approx. 25 miles from the job. I'm wondering how long is sensible for a commute?

The thing is, I aim to do it every single day, snow or shine (it rains there, but it mostly snows). Is it insane to expect to bike 50 miles per day? Will I be looking down the pipe of health problems related to being in the saddle that much?

Anybody else with a 50 mile RT commute?

The terrain is relatively flat, mostly lakeshore. The start (and end on the way home) will be crossing a peninsula, so it would be a little hilly, but that's only 5 miles of it. What's the word?

I live about 25 miles from work, but I only ride about 15 of it. I drive to a park on the outskirts of the city and ride from there. It's worked out very well for me. 50 miles a day is a lot! I'd think you'd have to work up to it over a few months, but it could be done.

My own commute is short (about 7 miles round trip). Whether 50 miles rt is reasonable depends on your enthusiasm for cycling. It could be a great training rush, or an unsustainable ordeal, depending on a number of factors. Of course it would eat up big blocks of time, but it you thought of it as transportation and sport combined, the time committment might not be that bad a trade-off.

I'm definitely committed to the car free lifestyle. I'm also in reasonable shape, young at 27, and am willing to take the time. However, I just worry about getting broken down physically. 50 miles is lots. I know pro riders do more than that a day, but it's their job...I'm talking 25 miles, work 10 hours, 25 miles!

Thanks for the input, maybe I'll have to see how it feels to do it once before I jump into the commitment.

When i'm riding home, i see a lot of cyclists riding for "pleasure", the only difference between them and myself is that i have a couple bags of empty containers from lunch and my work clothes. I enjoy my ride both ways, but i have fun on the way home. I might take a different route or race against the clock. I guess what i'm trying to say is that if you enjoy cycling...25 miles will go by pretty fast.

Living in MI I wanted to make sure you realize the affect snow will have on your times. I have seen 2x to 3x longer to get to work and back from a sunny day. I don't think 365 days is going to be possible at that mileage. Be sure to have a backup plan.

Mr RT is 25 miles, takes me about 45 mins each way. Now you're probably faster than me, but a 50 mile RT is still going to be nearly 3 hours, far more in crap weather. That's a lot of pedalling. Maybe by a junker or a moped or something and give yourself a day off whenever you need to or in the worst weather. Mind you riding a moped/motorcycle in winter can be very dangerous even for an experienced rider.

Can you get a train/bus or something part of the way?

Out of curiosity, why must you live 25 miles away?

Trek930-

Yes, I know about the snow, I lived in Marquette for over 3 years and commuted year round. However, then my commute was RT 12 miles, albeit up an extremely steep hill. I used my truck for horrible days.

tlc-

No public transportation as it would all be country roads in a semi-remote area. I do have a truck, though I'm trying to downgrade, so I would always have something to drive if I needed a day off.

the 50 mile trip wouldn't be forever, but for a period of time while we found permanent housing. We're fortunate enough that my wife's parents have a vacation home that we can utilize short term...obviously, however, it's 25 miles away from the place of employment!

Living in MI I wanted to make sure you realize the affect snow will have on your times. I have seen 2x to 3x longer to get to work and back from a sunny day. I don't think 365 days is going to be possible at that mileage. Be sure to have a backup plan.

Exactly what I was thinking. I live in Minnesota and ride in the snow sometimes. My round trip commute is 26 miles. And I stop commuting by bike in the dead of winter (yeah, okay, I'm a wimp). A 25 mile ride in snowy, windy conditions could easily take 2 1/2 or even 3 hours. You just don't go as fast. If it's snowing and windy in both directions, that could make an 8 hour workday into a 13 hour affair. Not to mention wipe you out physically. I'd say every single day, year 'round might be tough in those conditions.

I have a 40 mile round trip commute. I'd say 50 is doable with an efficient bike [road] and a love for cycling.

Especially considering my commute is 20 miles each way with 45 stoplights and 17 stop signs through Chicago. Without those I could definately do 50.

50 is doable (and will make a cycling superman out of you eventually), but you gotta really like cycling and you'll have to work up to it. There is no way you can just start doing those sorts of distances on daily basis with no preparation.

Maybe try a multimodal commute and first (combine cycling with driving or public transportation), and gradually increase the cycling part and shrink the non-cycling part. You might want to leave some non-cycling though: e.g. drive 10 miles and bike 15, or something like that.

The terrain is relatively flat, mostly lakeshore. The start (and end on the way home) will be crossing a peninsula, so it would be a little hilly, but that's only 5 miles of it. What's the word? This sounds good. Does it also mean that you don't have a lot of intersections and lights/stop signs to worry about? If so, that's VERY good. 25 flat intersectionless miles is probably the same, time- and effort-wise, as 15-20 miles with some hills and lots of intersections.

Not to be an arse, but this thread is quickly reminding me of another one where a nice college girl asked for some good road bike recommendations and people promptly started telling her about a lock and mountain bikes.

I LIVE IN MARQUETTE, MI!!!! I KNOW WHAT BIKING IN THE SNOW IS ALL ABOUT!!!! WE SAW AN AVERAGE SNOWFALL ONLY RIVALLED BY HOUGHTON-HANCOCK, MI AND TRUCKEE, CA!!!!

In that vein, I asked for folks input on riding 50 miles every day. Period. Thank you BikingGrad80, that's what I was looking for. I'm not worried about any of the logistics like time, snowfall or whether my bike is right for the job. I'm worried about how I can hold up physically with that distance every single day.

I love cycling, but as it stands right now my commute is 10 miles RT. Then, 2-3 days a week I'll tack on a 17 mile loop for scenery and exercise, and then on the weekend I'll go for as long as my body will hold up (75miles +). I don't do it every weekend, but maybe once a month. Right now I like the way I feel, because I'm tired enough at work to tolerate the cube life and the chub is being kept at bay. But 50 a day is a long way and I don't know if it will just chew me up and spit me out!

Guess I'll just have to try, eh?

This sounds good. Does it also mean that you don't have a lot of intersections and lights/stop signs to worry about? If so, that's VERY good. 25 flat intersectionless miles is probably the same, time- and effort-wise, as 15-20 miles with some hills and lots of intersections.

Almost NO intersections/lights. I can think of one at 8 miles where I would turn and catch the lakeshore. From there it's 17 miles to town on very flat terrain (maybe mild inclines, but almost imperceptable) and then a few blocks in town (small town, pop<20,000).

For you Michiganders, the commute is from Leland to Traverse City.

Wow, if that's how you treat people who are trying to be helpful, don't expect a lot of help... :rolleyes:

Anyhow, just because you started a thread, it doesn't mean that you own it and can tell people what they can or can't write in it.

Not to be an arse, but this thread is quickly reminding me of another one where a nice college girl asked for some good road bike recommendations and people promptly started telling her about a lock and mountain bikes.

I LIVE IN MARQUETTE, MI!!!! I KNOW WHAT BIKING IN THE SNOW IS ALL ABOUT!!!! WE SAW AN AVERAGE SNOWFALL ONLY RIVALLED BY HOUGHTON-HANCOCK, MI AND TRUCKEE, CA!!!!

Dude! You asked for our opinions and we're offering our opinions. Calm the hell down! No one is trying to tell you what you should or shoudln't do. We're just giving you our thoughts. What are you? Twelve?

1. At first, your could drive in w/ bike and ride bike home.
2. Next day ride bike in and drive home.
3. Next day, drive in and bike home
<repeat from step 2>

Then when you get use to the miles, bike both ways.

I'd worry more about the time it will take than the physical endurance. I'm sure you can work up to the endurance, if you aren't already. But, do you have a significant other who would like to spend time with you during the week? Kids? Can you easily move closer if your your situation changes and you no longer have that kind of time to spend on the road?

Ok, I admit I'm probably a little jumpy. I just started posting here and it is a very mellow forum compared to others I frequent. Also, I get really tired of people telling me about the snow when I know just as well if not better than them about it already. The first time it was mentioned I politely invited the poster to investigate my background (i.e. that I had lived and bike commuted in one of the snowiest places in the lower 48). It was only after that posting when yet another individual decided to harangue me about the snow in Michigan did I get upset.

As I mentioned, I've noticed that as a trend in some forums, most notably bikeforums.net. I'm sure I wasn't clear enough in my original post, that I'm looking for information on the distance, not the geographical region.


I'm trying to get a job right now in Northern Michigan. If I move back I have a place to stay that is approx. 25 miles from the job. I'm wondering how long is sensible for a commute?

Here I seem to be asking about distance.


The thing is, I aim to do it every single day, snow or shine (it rains there, but it mostly snows). Is it insane to expect to bike 50 miles per day? Will I be looking down the pipe of health problems related to being in the saddle that much?

Here I seem to actually acknowledge inclement weather but again redirect my line of inquiry to the distance of the commute.


Anybody else with a 50 mile RT commute?

A very pointed question indeed, striking to the heart of what I'm after. That is, well, do I need to mention that I'm wondering about the distance of the commute?


The terrain is relatively flat, mostly lakeshore. The start (and end on the way home) will be crossing a peninsula, so it would be a little hilly, but that's only 5 miles of it. What's the word?

This should need no explanation, and IMHO accepts terrain as a factor to the effects of such a long commute just as my above comment accepts I'd mostly being commuting in snow and bitter cold.

I don't know, maybe I am just an arsehole, but I feel like I'm warranted. Not only that, while yes I was trying to make a point with my brazen display of emotion much of it was meant in jest!

Oh, and by the way, the age calculator puts my real age at 11.5 years, so I'm actually not even 12 yet.

I don't know, maybe I am just an arsehole, but I feel like I'm warranted.

No. Trust me. You're an arsehole.

I'd worry more about the time it will take than the physical endurance. I'm sure you can work up to the endurance, if you aren't already. But, do you have a significant other who would like to spend time with you during the week? Kids? Can you easily move closer if your your situation changes and you no longer have that kind of time to spend on the road?

John,

Yes, time is a factor. Ideally this commute wouldn't last more than a few months. However, that is dependent on a house selling in, as I mentioned, one of the snowiest places in the lower 48 so winter is going to be a dead period where we wait, and I commute.

I can also drive, if it comes down to it, I'm just stubborn and I like to ride.

Mostly, as I've mentioned, I'm concerned about the effects on my taint and my stamina.

50 miles is very doable.
I personally (now) have only 12-14 mile r/t... A few years back I had a 34 miler, it was tough for a couple weeks.
Time on the bike will be the big one. I would expect it will be around 2.5-3hrs a day in the saddle - that's a lot. I would suggest working up to it as others have said. keep your body fueled up, and you will be a-ok.
Cheers & best of luck

I have a buddy that does 50 RT every day. My personal belief is that if the roads are fairly open, 50 RT is right on the edge of what makes sense for a daily commute. I would love to have such a ride 5 days a week, but I wouldn't want to do it in snow.

No. Trust me. You're an arsehole.


Probably, but so are you.

My commute is 9 miles each way - with a "bowl" shaped elevation. To ME that's perfect. It's long enough I get a good workout each day, but short enough I can do it five days in a row, and still faster than the bus.

I'd definitely have to work my way up to 25. That seems like a long one. But of yours 18 miles RT did to me at first.

p.s. don't forgot to take impedments into account. 25 miles on a trail or street with no stops is a lot faster than city side streets with lights, intersections, and stops.

My r/t is 44 miles. I commute by bike 4 or 5 days a week. About 7500 miles a year. Been doing it for about 2 1/2 years. I used to get pretty tired later in the week. The Friday ride home was a drag. And then when friends wanted me to go on a ride on the weekend I would always have to take a pass. It took about a year to develop the endurance to go pretty hard 5 days in a row (average 14-15 mph). But then I'm 54 years old, YMMV. By the way, sleep and nutrition will be very important, if you do this. Good luck.

Cycommuter, thanks for that. Those of you who do it or know people who do it give me hope.

Another question: what kind of bike do you ride?

I have a 'cross bike, set up SSFG right now, and I ride that everywhere and was thinking it would do everything fine. But, I don't commute 50 miles a day yet, so it might be nice to have gears to make sure I'm spinning when I'm tired.

Thoughts?

When I was younger, I did a 40 mi. RT commute for a summer. I enjoyed it a lot, and took a lot of pride in my abilities. Since then, I have had a series of jobs that allowed me to commute about 20 mi. RT. I now have a 30 mi. RT, but my job requires me to be out of the office on many days, so I'm lucky if I can commute 3 days a week. I wish I could get back that summer from so long ago.
A 50 mi. RT will make for one long day. However, if you're committed and healthy, you can do it. Plus, you'll feel great about yourself. I think you should go for it.

My typical commute along the suburban streets of Orange County is just under 30 miles round trip. I mix up the routes for variety, but the routes I take all result in a nice ride most of the time without too many long signal delays or heavy car traffic. I've been doing this pretty consistent for the past 7 years I've lived and worked in this area. Last few months I've missed only a few days of bike commuting to work. My average speed is 14.5 to 15 mph, but I have some hills to deal with. I used Google Earth to calculate the uphill climbing involved in my daily 30 mile round trip, and it adds up to around 2500 feet. That's certainly enough of workout on the daily ride pedaling a heavy duty road / touring bike and carrying clothes, lunch and whatever other junk I happen to need for the day.

Is it insane to expect to bike 50 miles per day?

I'm about to find out.

My company is moving in October. My current 40 mi r/t commute is going to go to at least 50 (haven't yet finalized my new route). It's going to go from a fairly flat trip with 15 miles of dedicated bike path (the Minneapolis Greenway) to 25 miles of hilly roads.

The mileage itself doesn't worry me. I'm actually excited about the hills. But I'm a little concerned about being able to do it year round, because the current commute is completely separated from cars for 75% of the route, plowed better (and quicker) than any road, and I have a bus option to cut it down to just 14 miles on those sub-zero days.

But I'll have none of that on the new route.

So my chief concern isn't physical. After 3 years of doing 40 miles a day, I don't have any fears about being able to do it. Go hard some days, take it easy on others. Listen to your body. Have a bike that's dialed in.

I recently started commuting 27 miles one way. I drive my bike to work, ride home, next day ride to work, drive the bike home, etc....In the near future , I hope to turn it into a 54 mile round trip, 4 days a week.....

The most important thing to consider will be nutrition. You'll be burning a LOT of calories....if you're not careful, you will burn out and feel very draggy. Eat well and keep hydrated and you'll be fine.....