Commuting - How far do you commute to work

I am thinking of commuting to work but it would be forty mile's round trip. I have done thirty mile commutes before, but am not sure about this distance. Has anyone else done a commute of this distance before? how long did it take you average speed etc.

Right now, my commute is 6.6 miles (one way). Its a "round about" route along the Missouri River. There is shorter route that is about 4.5 miles that is VERY hilly and a worse road. (narrow with no shoulders at all)

During spring, summer, & fall I'll tack on additional miles for the joy of it.

You should talk with NAISME on this forum. I think is commute is 23 miles one way. He does it something like 6-7 days a week year round.

You may want start with one day a week and work your way up to daily commuting. Before you know it, you'll be wondering why you were concerned about that distance. :)

Good luck!

I only ride one way and get a lift the other way, either to work or from work to home. The shortest route is 38km. There is 480m of climbing heading to work and 800m heading home. The distance and the hills make it too hard (and time consuming) to ride both ways. Average speed is somewhere between 22kph and 30kph.

40 miles is do-able but not on consecutive days. Unless you are super fit and it is a flattish route.

CHEERS.

Mark

I do commuting on a different level, i usually ride about 4 miles a day in between buildings/classes and for the hell of it, but the whole way is an all out sprint(im usually late). During the summers at home, its usually a 15-20 miles ride after work, but not to work yet. The way the roads are around my hometown, it would be rough to ride to work.

12.5 miles one way and roughly takes 40 min, averaging ~17 mph.

Once my new home is finished being built and I move in April, I will only be 8 miles one way.

My route is about 23 miles roundtrip. Takes about 45 mins----not bad considering that by driving on a bad day it takes about 25 mins.

Most of my route about 12 miles total is on the American River Bike Trail so thats nice.

late
jeremyb

I haven't gone that distance, but it should be possible - just leave home 15 minutes earlier!

My commute at the moment is about 30 miles round trip and takes me about an hour each way, but often I'll take the long way home and end up doing 35-40 miles round trip instead.

4 miles each way with few small hills takes me 16 to 21 minutes depending on stops for traffic lights. My best ever time is 12 minutes but that was on a sunny Summer day when I hit every light green & I was pushing myself all the way. With an hour off for lunch, I have just enough time to ride home, eat a bite & then ride back. When conditions are bad (this varies with my morning mood), I toss my bike & gear in the back of my wagon & drive half way. If its icy or really wet/windy, I just drive on in. Don

I commute to work on my bike only once a week. It is 62.5 miles one way. Travel up through La Tuna Canyon from Rose Bowl area after slight uphill grades from Duarte. After going down La Tuna Canyon, rolling hills until I get to Topanga in west San Fernando Valley. Then up and over Santa Susana pass into Simi Valley and across to Madera. Takes about 3 3/4 hours. Average about 16 Mph.

(Don't worry, I throw my bike in the back of a vanpool in the evening and ride home in the van.)

Simply put: not long enough. I'm going for another ride a little later on when it gets dark.

about 12 miles one way, it takes about 45 minutes and I usually commute 4 days a week.

Honestly, I would kill for a 20 mile one way commute. On mornings when I have classes, I usually leave downtown (where I live), ride to the edge of the city (the richy rich area), then come back downtown to school. It's about 35 miles round trip. Leaving at the butt crack of dawn and getting in those quality miles early in the morning is about the only way I can keep my sanity.

On mornings when I work, I usually only ride the two miles into work, then come home in the evening, change clothes, then go out riding for real. I'm considering taking an internship in the next town south of here over summer, and that would be about a 40 mile round trip commute. It may be a little far to do every day, but imagine what kind of shape I'll be in!

I have 14 miles each way--28 miles round trip. About 65 minutes in the morning, and about 75 minutes at night. (There's a net grade increase on the return trip, and it is also hotter at night; I only commute in the spring and summer.)

I could do mine every day during the summer, but it would drain me. As a result, the best I can hope for is three times a week. If I had a better bike, I think I could knock ten minutes off of each segment of the trip.

I have a 25 mile round trip. Each one-way trip is 40-45 minutes each way (80-90 for 25 miles). If it were me, I'd ride a 40 mile round trip 5 days a week.

I have a 25 mile round trip. Each one-way trip is 40-45 minutes each way (80-90 for 25 miles). If it were me, I'd ride a 40 mile round trip 5 days a week.

Dang! My 6.6 mile commute takes me 35-45 minutes on the tank this time of year!

What are riding that gives you such speed?
How much are you carrying with you?
What is the terrain like on your route?

Just wondering. I didin't think I was in that bad of shape. :p

Dang! My 6.6 mile commute takes me 35-45 minutes on the tank this time of year!

What are riding that gives you such speed?
How much are you carrying with you?
What is the terrain like on your route?

Just wondering. I didin't think I was in that bad of shape. :p

I think some of these guys are lying or they are in great shape and I am not because I'm like you.... 7 miles one way in 35 to 40 minutes. I'm pushing it to be at 15 MPH on my odometer at any given time. Must stop for traffic, lights, etc. Riding a Vision Recumbent at 57.

I think some of these guys are lying or they are in great shape and I am not because I'm like you.... 7 miles one way in 35 to 40 minutes. I'm pushing it to be at 15 MPH on my odometer at any given time. Must stop for traffic, lights, etc. Riding a Vision Recumbent at 57.

Yea, I wonder that myself.

My commuter rig weighs in at 54-58#s depending on the load for the day. The bike(TANK) is an older Raleigh Mustang SIS ATB with 1.5" simi-slicks. With the terrain on the route, I really push myself to keep it up to 10MPH. Most of the route I am climbing out of a river bottom, but its not that steep for most of the ride.

I guess I'll be happy with my 10MPH loaded speed.

I saw a post in another thread where the guy said his 7 mile trip took 15 minutes! That's 28 miles an hour! I've got 8 miles and it take about 40 minutes - about the same door to door as the car (parking lot is 7 minutes' walk away from work)

I saw a post in another thread where the guy said his 7 mile trip took 15 minutes! That's 28 miles an hour! I've got 8 miles and it take about 40 minutes - about the same door to door as the car (parking lot is 7 minutes' walk away from work)

Hot damn, That's what I like to hear. Someone as slow as me. Where were you guys when these other guys were bragging about 20 to 25 MPH average on a 30 mile commute. You gotta be kidding. I've never even had my bike going that fast except going downhill. Seriously, Some of this has to be BS. If you're averaging that kind of speed I want to know terrain, traffic, # of lights, age of rider, weight of rider and bike, races they've been in, and I want an auditor to gather some evidence.
The good news is that finally we have come out of the closet to challenge these clowns. Yeeeeeehaw.

My commute is 12 miles 1-way. Takes me 50-some minutes, so far. I've got a pretty long (5 miles?) stretch of straight flat road, with no stops in there, and the only hill is pretty small.

Tim

My commute is 18 miles each way (car trip is 20 each way). It takes me 70 minutes, plus 20 to stop, shower and change at a gym on the way into the office.
My route is flat, and I don't do it everyday due to other commitments. But I would do it everyday if life didn't get in the way.

I think some of these guys are lying or they are in great shape and I am not because I'm like you.... 7 miles one way in 35 to 40 minutes. I'm pushing it to be at 15 MPH on my odometer at any given time. Must stop for traffic, lights, etc. Riding a Vision Recumbent at 57.

My commute is about 6.2 miles (one way) takes me about 35 minutes including stops, traffic, etc. I ride a 30lb MTB with 1.75" semi-slicks. I've noticed that I am much slower than most of the people who post on these forums. Oh well.

20 miles one way. when I take the most direct, drivers always yelling at me route, it is just at an hour. When I take the back way it is closer to 1 hour 15 minutes. I get a ride home most days but go both on occasion. If I had the time I would love to go both ways once or twice a week.

Hey you slowpokes!!!! Doesn't it feel good to know we're not alone??? I said it before..."I run a 6 minute mile, I just do it in 15 minutes".

I feel purged like in a 12 step group or something.

"My name is Rich Gosloerthanu and I go slow on my bike". "Today I averaged 10 MPH but I made it to work anyway". When I got there, I felt good because I knew I wouldn't lie again today to my fellow forumites. Thanks for listening" LOL

7.5 miles each way. 112-15 minutes if I hammer it, and you can take that BS to the bank!

Now there's some real BS. Previous post is supposed to read 12-15 min.

Hey you slowpokes!!!! Doesn't it feel good to know we're not alone??? I said it before..."I run a 6 minute mile, I just do it in 15 minutes".

I feel purged like in a 12 step group or something.

"My name is Rich Gosloerthanu and I go slow on my bike". "Today I averaged 10 MPH but I made it to work anyway". When I got there, I felt good because I knew I wouldn't lie again today to my fellow forumites. Thanks for listening" LOL

:roflmao: :lol: :roflmao: :lol:

I am in the ten miles in an hour crowd at moment I think. I am going to try it this weekend and see how long it will take.

I have info on Dublin OH but I cant pm it wont let me

Dang! My 6.6 mile commute takes me 35-45 minutes on the tank this time of year!

What are riding that gives you such speed?
How much are you carrying with you?
What is the terrain like on your route?

Just wondering. I didin't think I was in that bad of shape. :p

The times I posted equate to 16.5 - 18.6 mph. My average over the last 12 months over 5,500 miles is 17.2 mph. So, I figure my inclination of average trips times was pretty darn close. Also, keep in mind, those are door-to-door times without canceling out time while stopped - in other words, if I'm at a light, my clock is still ticking. I don't have a computer on board, so it's easier for me to keep track this way. I did a test a couple times to check how much time I spent at lights and found it to be about a minute and a half total for a one-way commute. It would obviously boost my numbers to take that time away, but then I would skew my comparisons and I wouldn't be able to judge improvement.

I ride a LeMond Zurich road bike with 23mm tires. I fitted a rack and ride with dual, rear panniers filled with my work clothes, lunch and a few tools. They create a bit of wind drag which is noticable when I do my usual commute on my days off work (gotta stay in shape!) My usual trip consists of one long hill (5%-6% grade for about 2 miles) and descent each way (up and over), but the rest is relatively flat. I usually only have to deal with traffic stops at the beginning and end of the trip because I start in a suburb and end in the city. The middle portion of the trip has a few controlled stops, but I'm travelling on a boulevard that usually has the green light.

I should mention, that I wasn't this fast a year ago, and even slower the year before. I've made a concerted effort to improve my times. I take different routes so I can climb hills. I do sprints and intervals and mix up rides with light spinning, heavy mashing and heavy spinning during my commutes. I make it a point to literally attack a 12% grade hill that is about 3/4 a mile in length once a week - it's short, but brutal and I've recently been able to climb it in a 43" gear @ 9.7 mph without blowing myself up. Basically, I am trying to kill myself on my bike - OK, maybe that's a bit drastic, but I do feel the hurt :) I also take days where I spin easy to recuperate. During this last year I've only encountered one guy that could elude me during a commute. I stood up to catch him and gave up after about 5 minutes - he kept gaining distance on me. I'm guessing he raced because he had the outfit and didn't look like a commuter - he had no gear at all. But I figure I'm fairly fast for most of commuting set I see; I pass everyone I see in front of me and leave everyone far behind after I pass them.

I realize it's not a race, and honestly, I'm not even sure what my motivation is, but several regulars on my route have even commented on my speed; they'll tell me how they struggled to keep up or tried to catch me but failed when we inevitably meet up again at the usual stops. I'm sure this does my ego some damage :)

Edit: I should add that I'm a fairly slim, young? guy - 35 yrs, 6'-0 @ 170lbs.

Seriously, Some of this has to be BS.

I don't think there is anything amazing about averaging 30kph+ while riding to work. Some of us ride to work to get in training for racing, and if you can't manage 30kph racing then don't bother showing up. On my old commute it was possible to average 35kph for 40km's as it was flat. On my new commute, it is very hilly (930metres climbing to get home last night) I still averaged 26.4kph. I don't carry any luggage, just two tubes, a pump, levers and water bottles, on an 8kg bike. Last year my average speed over 9,000km and 110,000 metres of climbing was 27kph Zoom Zoom.

CHEERS.

Mark

These speeds are KPH not mph, here's a profile for anyone interested


.

30km/h is my cruising speed.

I'm sure your commute times will improve over time. Mine did & the type of bike does make a difference. I have a dozen bikes, about half with fenders & racks. All but 1 are either road or touring bikes with drop bars; toe clips or clipless pedals; 700 x 20-25 c or 27 x 1 1/8 tires & I don't use panniers, only a saddle or bar bag. My 1 mountain bike has 26 x 1 1/2 mountain slicks & the few times I used it, my commute took an extra 10 minutes each way. Probably due more to the upright riding position than anything else. Age? I'll be 64 this Summer. Don

about 20kms

takes around 1hour

one way

On my new commute, it is very hilly (930metres climbing to get home last night) I still averaged 26.4kph.

930m of climbing in what looks to be about 40km? Wow! That is some hilly terrain you ride on your commute.

30km/h is my cruising speed.

Given the number of kilometers you ride per annum, this does not surprise me.

I am thinking of commuting to work but it would be forty mile's round trip. I have done thirty mile commutes before, but am not sure about this distance.
I know what you mean. Mine's about 30. Part of me would love to have a shorter distance so I could do it every day more easily. The other part of me can't give up any part of the hour-long trip each way. I guess that's what you call, "ambilvalent."

:)

7.5 miles each way. 112-15 minutes if I hammer it, and you can take that BS to the bank!

What's the problem? That's very believable and seemingly truthful.
Some of these guys are saying they could do a 7.5mph commute in 15 minutes. That 30 MPH. Sure Lance.

What's the problem? That's very believable and seemingly truthful.
Some of these guys are saying they could do a 7.5mph commute in 22 minutes. Sure Lance.


He corrected that and said he meant 12-15 minutes.

7.5 miles in 22 minutes (assuming no delays) is only about 20mph, so that's not a big problem.

7.5 miles in 12-15 minutes is about 30-37.5mph!!!!

7.5 miles each way was actually taking me 30-35 minutes by MTB. I could do it in a little less if I pushed it, but that took a little motivation. I'm sure some of these other guys could do it in 15 minutes or less on their road bikes. But for me to say I was doing it that fast, was BS.
While reading the responses, I came to the same conclusion of others reading this thread, that some of these guys are probably posting some fast accurate times, but some seem to be posting BS, to impress everyone with their time.

Another thing on the speed issue, has anybody else noticed that it's just about nigh-on impossible to get the average speed on a cyclo-computer to read anything respectable in an urban commute with all the traffic light delays and so on?

I remember a ride I did last year with a stiff tailwind, I rode just about the entire length of the commute in the 35-40km/h range, yet the average speed at the end only registered a measly 31.5km/h or so.

I think when referring to speed on one's commute, the "average" on the cyclo-computer is always going to understate things just a little on an urban commute.

Another thing on the speed issue, has anybody else noticed that it's just about nigh-on impossible to get the average speed on a cyclo-computer to read anything respectable in an urban commute with all the traffic light delays and so on?

I remember a ride I did last year with a stiff tailwind, I rode just about the entire length of the commute in the 35-40km/h range, yet the average speed at the end only registered a measly 31.5km/h or so.

I think when referring to speed on one's commute, the "average" on the cyclo-computer is always going to understate things just a little on an urban commute.


You should see if your cyclocomputer has an auto on/off setting. I have a cateye astrale that has an on/off setting, and it stops measuring when the wheel stops. This would cut down a little bit on the error you want to get rid of. This was a function I had to specifically turn on.

You should see if your cyclocomputer has an auto on/off setting. I have a cateye astrale that has an on/off setting, and it stops measuring when the wheel stops. This would cut down a little bit on the error you want to get rid of. This was a function I had to specifically turn on.

Mine does, but that in itself is a problem. Everytime you have to slow down for a set of traffic lights, then re-accelerate, it detracts from your average speed. If I get two red lights close together (as in one section of my ride), I rarely bother accelerating too much between them. Then there was that stretch in the centre of Broadbeach -- well, I've recently amended my commute to remove that section anyway.

2.5 miles each way. Part of it is single track along the river.

Everytime you have to slow down for a set of traffic lights, then re-accelerate, it detracts from your average speed.

If speed = Distance/time, then I guess it depends if:

Time = total elapsed time from beginning to end
OR
= time spent pedalling the bike

I tend to look at it as total elapsed time from when I leave to when I arrive. So when I'm obeying all the traffic signs and signals, and stopping for trains, etc, things get kind of slow. But that's actually how long it takes me to get from A to B. Average speed drops off dramatically.

On my loaded tourer I have a cyclocomputer with the start/stop function, and even then my average speed runs about 22-24kmh. I had a short run the other day where I average about 25kmh. Last year I did a 100-miler (160km). My on-bike speed was 20kmh, but if I throw in the 2 hours of rest stops, then it's more like 16kmh.

But I would consider an on-bike average of 31kmh to be an outstanding achievement for me!

6 miles one way. 15-20 minutes each way, depending on my mood and where the wind is blowing...

That 6 miles gets me to the bus stop, and the bus gets me to the University. (sucks to live in the suburbs)

With the bus drivers going on strike next week, my commute may go upto 12-13 miles each way...

6 miles one way. 15-20 minutes each way, depending on my mood and where the wind is blowing...

That 6 miles gets me to the bus stop, and the bus gets me to the University. (sucks to live in the suburbs)

With the bus drivers going on strike next week, my commute may go upto 12-13 miles each way...

Hey, that is a nice distance when your not fighting the snow and ice.

7.5 miles each way was actually taking me 30-35 minutes by MTB.
That's 13 mph. to 15 mph. avg. speed. Precisely my time on my road bike plus load on varied terrain with traffic for 14 miles.

My commute is 18.5 miles each way, it takes me about 65 minutes in the winter with studded tires and 55 to 60 minutes in the summer. I don't ride when it's below 10 degrees F

Hey, N7CZinMT

I ride 6 miles at 50 minutes!!! Slow, but you have to consider the terrain. It'll hilly where I ride and I'm not riding a racing bike like some bike. A touring bike with racks & stuff.

MIyataphile