Living Car Free - 30 mile round trip to work....

I so badly want to go car free. I just dont know if a 30 mile round trip 5 days a week is going to be possible? how much do u guys ride right now? and what would u advise?

I used to do a 34 mile round trip. If it's possible for you also depends on a lot of factors like the terrain, weather, neighborhoods you go through, street conditions and what other things are going on in your life that might conflict.

I only do 12 miles, round trip. But it's not the easiest ride in the world; large elevation difference. Yet I find it easy enough that I sometimes make the trip on days off plus other "volunteer" riding.

Before you take the plunge, though, I'd recommend starting out by driving about halfway and then pedaling the rest. It probably won't take long for you to know whether or not you want to go all the way.

The way to know for sure is to just park the car for a few months and do the 30 mile commute every day. Some problems that come up are that you wind up riding in the dark a lot during the winter, you have to deal with challenging seasonal weather, and you need a backup plan for when you are not feeling well or if you have a physical injury. Plus, you will likely be devoting a lot of your time to the long commute, so you need to determine how that will impact your family and social life.

thats a pretty big commute
when i was embedded in career, my commute was less than 5 miles each way

but I'm also a bike-a-holic
i love to ride
in those days, my rides ended at work and home

these days
just as before, typically I ride at least 20hrs/week

but I'm not amidst Career anymore
i work when and where i want or choose

sometimes work comes to me
or sometimes work shoots thru the cyber ether & where is that? that always blows my mind...

peace...d

I recently chose a longer route home to bump my commute from about 13 miles RT to 20, which I do 5 days a week. I could see myself doing 30 miles/day on relatively flat terrain, as long as there's no snow. I wouldn't want to do it without a reliable back-up/bail-out plan--for me, it's the local transit system.

Unless you're biking a lot now, you will probably have to work up to that sort of mileage using some of the suggestions already described.

My commute is 21 miles each way. As Saturday is a short day (0900-1500), I'll normally bicycle to work that day. It's a mixed bag. Inbound is really fun, as the trip is slightly downhill with the wind at my back, and it's invariably cool. I leave at 0700 and am at the shop by 0830, leaving me 1/2 hour for a puncture along the way. So far I've only had one.

Coming home means slightly uphill, wind in my face, and at this time is year I'm dealing with temperatures in the high 80's and low 90's. On the other hand, there's no chance to dog and cut the trip short, because if I do I don't get home. So the motivation makes up for the negatives. I find I get home in 1-1/2 hours, just like the trip in.

Overall, it's not something I'd consider on a five day (Tuesday-Saturday) a week basis. In the first place, I have to go through some of the worst rush hour traffic areas (Mon-Fri, of course) in the western Richmond suburbs. The intersection where my route (Nuckols Road) crosses I-295 would get me killed on a weekday, as I couldn't stay in the right hand lane like motorized traffic would expect (nay, demand) since that turns into the entrance ramp to 295 Westbound.

The next consideration is time. 1-1/2 hours each way is way too long spent commuting, and come winter would be incredibly uncomfortable due to darkness. My shop's weekday hours are 0900-1800.

Finally, there's mechanical reliability. Granted, punctures are 99.9% of my worry, but I still have to leave that 1/2 hour window for it to happen, and of the four methods I've used to get to work (automobile/truck, motorcycle, scooter and bicycle) only the bicycle is fragile enough to have to factor breakdown time as a realistic possibility.

Yeah, long distance bicycle commuting is great for bragging rights and street cred, but it ain't all that practical.

I'd suggest (and primarily use, myself) a scooter for this kind of distance. A 50cc job will get you about 100mpg, but does have the disadvantage of an effective top speed of about 25mph (here again, I'm saying effective, don't believe that garbage about 35-40mph tops - it only happens downhill, and is most likely illegal); so you're still hugging the right edge of the lane and being treated like a fast bicycle. A 150cc model in most states demands licensing, insurance and a motorcycle endorsement, but it gives you a reliable 45-50mph which allows you to take on cars as an equal in traffic (actually, you've got one hell of an advantage) while still delivering mid to high 60's in gas mileage. There's something to be said for $2.50 fillups, and not being sweaty and smelly when you get to work.

Oh yeah, my reason for commuting on Saturdays:

In the past, I'd normally do my 10 miles while-the-coffee-brews morning run, and then when I'd get home I'd spend the late afternoon riding, usually 25-30 miles. Call it a day by 1800.

With the Saturday commute, I do 21 miles, take a six hour break, and then do 21 miles. I'm home by 1630, and the rest of the afternoon is mine to waste in whatever way I wish.

That's when long distance commuting makes sense.

I do a 30 mile Rt, well, 38Km, can't be bothered to do the conversion. What is your job? My can be pretty physical, and riding home after a bad day can be hard. I don't have to rush though, so can take my time. I will take the company van home an average of once a week. Thats not always because of fatigue, sometimes I need it to do something or am doing some task on the way home. Winter can be brutal. Riding in snow approximately doubles the effort. I didn't keep up a consistent riding schedule last Winter, plan to do much better this one.

I do 40 miles rt. I do however give myself the option of the public transportation for one day a week.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that a 22 mile round trip daily commute is about the maximum that should be attempted on a car free basis. Car free implies daily, all-season, all-weather riding with no exceptions. I arrived at this number by personal experience over about a two year car free period when I was quite a bit younger. I think I could still do it now that I'm in my late 50s. It factors in a certain amount of occasional minor illnesses and injuries, the unrelenting physical wear and tear of daily riding, seasonal weather variations, riding in the dark, and the just-don't-wanna-get-outta-bed-and-ride-again effect.

I know we have some very long distance riders on this forum. It would be good to get some of their opinions. The main issue here I think is what kinds of distances are sustainable day after day after day, forever.

At first blush, the idea of car free living tends to provoke an attractive fantasy of personal freedom. The reality is quite a bit grittier. The fact is, a bicycle is not a perfect substitute for a car. You can't take a living situation that is deeply car dependent and, by hopping on a bike one day, start living car free.

Personally, I've come to the opinion that successful car free living hinges on making the appropriate life choices to reduce car dependency. This is not something that can usually be done overnight. It needs to be done thoughtfully and step by step.

Having said that, lots of people become car free suddenly due to major mechanical breakdowns or accidents. What seems to happen in many of these cases is that they live car free for a while, but it wears them down. When the opportunity presents itself, they get another car. They find that car free living isn't sustainable in their personal situations.

I'm hoping that the OP can succeed in becoming car free, as he said he wants. I just think that it's more beneficial to do it on a step by step basis than to try to get there all at once. At this point in history, I think the achievable goal for many people is to reduce car dependency. You can do that even with a car or two still parked in the garage.

My typical daily round trip is about 28 to 29 miles, year round, every work day (M-F). It takes me a bit over one hour each way, plus some time to get ready for work and time to get ready to pedal home. I have been bike commuting on a consistent basis for 10 years in my area, and am age 55. However, I purposely take a longer than necessary route most days. If conditions are real bad or if for some reason I am late leaving home or work, I can take a short, direct route that's only about 6 miles each way (less than 30 minutes). And if things are really bad, I have a bus stop only one block from home that can take me within 2 blocks of my office in just 20 minutes, direct.

The other thing to consider is that the miles pile up when you ride 150 commute miles each week, and add on some errand miles, and maybe some pleasure riding on the weekend. That means that you'll need to spend some time doing some bike maintenance on weekends several times a month. I don't mind that at all, it's just part of the whole routine for me.

Consider one other thing, you may want to have a second commute bike available, especially if you depend on the bike for your transportation to work. One might be the primary ride, and the other is a backup, maybe your nasty weather bike. The second bike comes in handy when you are just ready to leave home in the morning and find out that somehow you picked up something in the tire yesterday that left you with a flat that morning. So you just move your bike bag to the other bike and take off instead of messing around fixing something. A second bike "ready to go" has saved me many times from getting to work late.

Weather/climate IS a consideration when you're talking about a commute that long; last winter, mine was 18 RT, and that morning half kinda HURT a few times (-5F). Some of it also depends on the bike -- very few ride what I ride for a commuter, a full-suss MTB.

Living car-free, as a CHOICE, involves some 'weaning'; I went cold turkey, nearly five years ago. It's an adjustment. More time has to be allowed, dressing for weather becomes second nature, and public trans has to be considered at one point or another.

Wow lots or responses. Hmm lets see I live in CA for starters. So weather is not going to be much of an issue. To be honest if my RT commute was 20 miles or less...my car would be gone next week....with money in my pocket.

To answer another question. I dont have a fancy job. I just work as a security guard full time for now. So it isnt very demanding physically and I should have the energy left to get home after work. Some people mentioned age. Im 25 so I like to think im in shape enough and have the energy.

Someone else mentioned the impact if will have on my free time/social life. This is my biggest concern I would say. The fact that about 3 hours each day will be spent getting to and from work. Now one could say that this would most definately take care of any and all exercise I would need. This is a nice bonus. However, The fact that it will leave little time during the week for social activites kinda bothers me. Also the fact that there might be days when im sick or just not wanting to ride 3 hours will be a problem. I suppose on these days I could take a just about as long bus trip. However, I would still have to bike home because I work swing shift 4-midnight. And nothing runs that late here in San Jose. This is another factor. I will have to ride in the dark on the way home.

I feel so lost. I so badly want to be car free. But im not sure if it will work with my current situation. Man I wish this RT was 20 miles or less :( I suppose if i wanted to go car free bad enough...I could make it happen. And as someone mentioned. I would most definately have a 2nd commute bike as a backup. Part because I am no very good with bike maintenace. In fact im a complete noob...and could use a teacher lol.

Part because I am no very good with bike maintenace. In fact im a complete noob...and could use a teacher lol.

I know the feeling; I'm in the same position. I adjusted my rear wheel, and it stopped spinning. lol I'm pretty sure that's not supposed to happen.

My plan is to dive in head first and learn the ins and outs of maintenance through first-hand experience. A teacher would indeed be very nice.

well i'll say this about social scene.

bikes are my life
my friends ride bikes
and the things we do when we get together...
well... we go for rides.

typically we ride tuesdays, wednesday nights, Sat, & Sun
i dont own a car
so every where i go is on my bike
where i typically run into more friends whom ride their bikes for basic things.

I work at a bike shop, off and on
sometimes work comes to me
or sometimes, i get to simply write something up

this aspect is what I have often referred to as "centric"
that is
most of our lives are "Car-centric"
most of our lives revolve around the use of The Automobile

I'm 40, I've been part of Velo Club Monterey (Ca), since about 93'
I've been car free for about 6 years now

I've been riding bikes daily, and racing since 93'

so what am i saying?

chose your friends, and choose your environment.

by large, we are products of our environment(s)

at best, we hope to chose our environments
from there... well... you get the gist.

peace...d

My round trip was 56 miles. But, I did it 1/4 of the time.. Because I worked odd hours. I did it usually in about 1 and 3/4 hours. If the terrain had been flat, I'd considered it not all that difficult. But, the hills made for a longer commute. Especially when I noted, traffic pile ups on the freeway I used to get to work made commuting by bike only about about 50 minutes longer than driving. But, far more pleasing. Weather is always a consideration. So Cal , that was rarely a concern.

My TR commute in San Diego was 30 miles. Gradual uphill one way and a gradual down hill the other. I averaged just under an hour each way. As for mechanical reliability, get good tires a flats will be a thing of the past. Marathons are my favorites, I dont even carry a pump anymore because punctures are so rare. A second bike and or back up plan is a good idea but dont over think it. Lots of people who own cars dont have "back up" plans for the inevitable break down. Your work will understand if you have an issue every few months!

To be completely honest, a 20 mile TR commute would have been perfect. 30 miles is a good amount but I loved my ride, it was all along the Pacific Coast the whole way. Instead of driving halfway each day and working up to the 30 miles just start doing it. Maybe do two days a week for 1 week, then 3, then four, ect... Keep the car around for the first month or so and see how it goes. Maybe there is someone at work who wants to car pool a few days a week?

It sounds like this is something that is important to you. Important enough to seek advice on the internet. If your motivated enough then even a 50 mile RT commute is more than possible.

As for bicycle maintenance and needing a teacher. Done http://bicycletutor.com/ its free and has great video.

Mine was a 70 km round trip ... I think that's 42 miles or something like that. However, I could only manage it a couple times a week without exhausting myself. 30 miles is about 50 km. That would have been nicer. I could have probably managed that 3 or 4 days a week ... maybe more if I built up to it.

Well, what are your backups? You mentioned the buses not running late, how are the taxis? Around here, I can request a wagon or minivan taxi if the bike broke. Is there a carshare in your area for weekends? I would say get some decent lights and try a couple of days. If you think it will maybe work, buy a used bike from Craigslist, invest in a bike tool kit from Nashbar or somewhere, look at the biketutor vids and dive in. You don't have to just go the whole hog instantly. If the budget is a problem, just look at ways to ease in that aren't going to bankrupt you.

This might seem a stupid question, do you have a bike? If so what is it?

I feel so lost. I so badly want to be car free. But im not sure if it will work with my current situation. Man I wish this RT was 20 miles or less :( I suppose if i wanted to go car free bad enough...I could make it happen. And as someone mentioned. I would most definately have a 2nd commute bike as a backup. Part because I am no very good with bike maintenace. In fact im a complete noob...and could use a teacher lol.

Continuing on with this discussion: First off, if you're going to commute seriously, you're going to become a mechanic. There are no ifs, and, or buts about it. The unfortunately reality is that a bicycle does have some strength and reliability issues that a larger, heavier, gasoline powered vehicle does not have - at least not as often. Couple of that a complete lack of an infrastructure for immediate help (aka, you can't get out your cell phone and call the tow truck to come and pick you up), and at the least you're going to have to know how to change a punctured tube, replace a gear cable, and lock your derailleur in a certain gear should you not be carrying a spare gear cable with you.

Don't feel bad about having to have a backup bike. That's equally true for motorcycle commuting. Only the automobile has the kind of repair infrastructure to allow for same day repairs. All the other alternatives are considered sport vehicles, not daily necessities.

Above all, don't let politically (environmentally?) correct desire get in the way of practical reality. Something nobody ever mentions on this board is that there are days, be it due to weather, temperature, personal physical condition, or whatever other reason, when mandatory cycling to work really sucks rocks. If it actually was as easy to do as we like to make it out to be, our numbers would be tenfold larger, at least.

The most realistic choice I can give is to give it a try - but do not sell your car. Semi-mothball it, cut the insurance back to bare minimum, but never forget that there will be times when the automobile is complete superior to a bicycle for your needs at that moment. Which is when you get it out and use it - without feeling guilty, by the way.

Attitude and perspective are another important factor. You have to have the maturity to realize that even a really bad day is only one day. For every day that I ride tired or wet, there are many more glorious days to make up for it. The trick is to remember that little fact while you are having the bad day.

I would also put the time requirement into perspective. Two hours a day commuting on a bike is a long time. But I've that car commutes that long are also pretty common in California. And personally, I think that two hours in a car is a lot more time out of my life than two hours on a bike.

Currently I live 2 1/2 miles from work which takes me less than 10 minutes. Before that, my RT was 19 miles which wasn't bad at all. I actually enjoyed that ride a lot more than the one I have to do now because it was more scenic.

seriously
in my opinion
Commuting is the core of a "Cycling Lifestyle"
from there you learn everything
mechanic...???
definitely
it would be prudent to learn as much as you can

on that tangent
I work on some of my buddies' bikes, and they have zero interest in learning about the mechanics

me on the other hand
I'm totally infatuated with anything about bikes

Above all, don't let politically (environmentally?) correct desire get in the way of practical reality. Something nobody ever mentions on this board is that there are days, be it due to weather, temperature, personal physical condition, or whatever other reason, when mandatory cycling to work really sucks rocks. If it actually was as easy to do as we like to make it out to be, our numbers would be tenfold larger, at least.
.

LOL AMEN! the worst is during the winter when it is only 17 deg f outside and flu season, you know it isn't that bad but man, the first few miles just are a bear to get rolling!

Unfortunately I have tattoo removal treatments every 6 weeks...and there is a 2-3 weeks healing process after each treatment ( i have 18 tattoos to remove :( )The first week of which im in no shape to ride a bike. So i would have to take the bus to work and bum a ride home some how. And i pretty much work alone so the carpool thing wont work. And i know that if and when i go car free...i will pretty much have to become a mechanic. Im just a little worried about how i will learn...cuz i dont have any friends that are into biking.

As far as that question about do i have a bike. No not at the moment. I search craigslist daily looking for a good deal. I'm looking to pick up a bike for a good deal..and a low price. I'm not really into fancy things...so a bike that gets me from A to B is fine. I have been borrowing my uncles bike to go on weekend rides with him..and get back into biking shape.

i like the advice about keeping my car for now...and trying the ride out a few times a week. I will have to give that a try when i heal...just had a tattoo treatment today...so im crippled right now lol. That will prolly be one of the biggest things i will have to work around...

My daily commute is 30 miles rt. I recently sold my car and am now car lite. 600 miles a month does add up in the maintenance department. I go through a couple of sets of tires and a couple of chains a year. I use a road bike so that I can add some speed to the ride over my mountian bike that I started with. My job is a desk job and after a day behind the desk I am ready to ride. I work swing shift so I my ride in is usually always pleasant. The ride home at night can be a pain in the winter but I am not about to wake up my wife and kids to come and get me so I suck it up when it is snowing or really cold for the ride home. Sometimes I will go on a ride with my friends on the weekend or run errands as well. Just remember every mile makes you stronger.

And i know that if and when i go car free...i will pretty much have to become a mechanic. Im just a little worried about how i will learn...cuz i dont have any friends that are into biking.


Part of successful carfree living is coming up with ways that you CAN do something, rather than dwelling on reasons that you CANNOT do something. (This is an attitude that will do you well in most other areas of life also.)

Here are five practical thoughts on the mechanic issue:


Check with your local bike shop (LBS) and local bike clubs about classes in bike mechanics. Often these classes are sponsored by the Park Tool Company.
Many cities have something called a bike co-op or a bike kitchen. They offer instruction, work space, and loan tools. This would also be a good place to meet new friends who ARE into bikeing.
Volunteer in a bike repair project for kids. You will at the same time learn about bike repair and help a kid repair a bike that he/she will get to keep.
Learn bike repair on your own. Get a good book and check out two helpful web sites--Park Tool (http://www.parktool.com/repair/byregion.asp) and Sheldon Brown (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/).
Forget about learning any mechanics beyond the most basic steps, such as lubing and changing tubes. Just go to a LBS or a freelancer (like AsanaCycles) who loves to work on bikes.

+1 to everything Roody says above and I will add an easy item:

6. Spend a few hours at http://bicycletutor.com/. Also BF's Bicycle Mechanics forum is a great place to learn and ask questions.

A 30 mile plus daily commute is not any trouble whatsoever as long as the following apply:
Hourly wage not salary job (tacking bike commute on top of a 50 hour work week?)
No small children at home
No dogs needing to be walked
No significant other wanting to spend time with you during the week (pick your priorities carefully)

I originally started bike commuting because I had too many obligations in the evening to squeeze in several hours of training time, but then once I started commuting it ended up being that I left the house at 6AM and got home at 7:30PM. Did not go over well at all with the family.
If you want to commute a fairly decent distance daily, you really have to shape a large part of your life around it, but then do you want you life revolving around your commute and work? Most people have a lot of other things to do during the week in addition to riding bikes and working.

Unfortunately I have tattoo removal treatments every 6 weeks...and there is a 2-3 weeks healing process after each treatment ( i have 18 tattoos to remove :( ) The first week of which im in no shape to ride a bike.

i like the advice about keeping my car for now...and trying the ride out a few times a week. I will have to give that a try when i heal...just had a tattoo treatment today...so im crippled right now lol. That will prolly be one of the biggest things i will have to work around...

You should go post this in this thread about cycling tattoos.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=568527

The reality is - there are parts of the fruited plain that demand car ownership at least part of the year. Does this sound like a plan in several simple steps?

1. Buy a gently used car - let someone else eat initial appreciation
2. Do not grit your teeth too hard while stuck with the loan - dental work is expensive...
3. Maintain yor car religiously and do not drive like jackrabbit
4. Receive "free and clear" title. Do happy dance. Drop body work insurance coverage the very next day.
5. Assuming #3 was followed, the car will last for another 5 to 7 years.
6. Double that lifespan by bike commuting, all the while flipping your finger at the oil and automotive industries.
7. Your BMI drop, your mood lifts. Chicks dig you. Guys ogle you. (circle applicable)

Another thing to consider... being 25 and all...

I'm 25 and started commuting 30 miles RT last year. For the first few months my sex drive dropped off the charts. My girlfriend is also a cyclist and we were riding on the evenings/weekends in addition to my commuting (she works just down the street). Combined with work stress, there were definitely nights when I was just "too tired", much to her dismay.

Remember that commuting distances like you mention on a daily basis will take its toll -- eat healthy, get enough sleep, and soon enough your body will adjust.

Another thing to consider... being 25 and all...

I'm 25 and started commuting 30 miles RT last year. For the first few months my sex drive dropped off the charts. My girlfriend is also a cyclist and we were riding on the evenings/weekends in addition to my commuting (she works just down the street). Combined with work stress, there were definitely nights when I was just "too tired", much to her dismay.

Remember that commuting distances like you mention on a daily basis will take its toll -- eat healthy, get enough sleep, and soon enough your body will adjust.

I have heard this reaction before so your not alone for sure. I had the opposite experience though as I was on such a huge cycle high after I got home all I wanted was.... and then a shower. Soon after that my gf started riding a bike and we had a similar surge.

I think everyones body just reacts to changes in its routine differently.

The reality is - there are parts of the fruited plain that demand car ownership at least part of the year. Does this sound like a plan in several simple steps?

1. Buy a gently used car - let someone else eat initial appreciation
2. Do not grit your teeth too hard while stuck with the loan - dental work is expensive...
3. Maintain yor car religiously and do not drive like jackrabbit
4. Receive "free and clear" title. Do happy dance. Drop body work insurance coverage the very next day.
5. Assuming #3 was followed, the car will last for another 5 to 7 years.
6. Double that lifespan by bike commuting, all the while flipping your finger at the oil and automotive industries.
7. Your BMI drop, your mood lifts. Chicks dig you. Guys ogle you. (circle applicable)

Or...


Ride your bike on the 30 mile RT and enjoy it.
That's all.

7. Your BMI drop, your mood lifts. Chicks dig you. Guys ogle you. (circle applicable)

I seem to be having an issue with #7. No circles.

Try mon/wed/fri and see what it is like. Add in tue/thur if you can.

Get a hybrid bike - an electric-assist bike. With an electric-assist bike, to go 15 miles, you'll porbably need only about 1/2 the effort at the highest assist level (or you can just go faster).

One example: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/giant-twist-freedom-dx-electric-bike.php
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/ebike/2257/32231/

Now, it is going to cost more (the Twist Express is MSRP of $1500 and gives 35 miles of battery use per charge) but it's still less than a car and a lot better for the environment and your health.

Another example: http://www.torkerusa.com/T400E.html

And this lists a bunch of them in a comparison chart: http://www.electric-bikes.com/bikes/bikes.html

Well i picked up my bike which will be my main one. A 2000 Vision R50 full suspension recumbent. It is the first bike I have owned since I was a little kid. It was $600 which was a little more than I was wanting to pay for a used bike, but recumbents are a little more expensive than standard bikes. I think i will be able to do the commute. But im going to hang on to my car while i try biking a few days a week. I find it so comfortable that its hard for me to stop riding lol. I since added some safety lights, panniers, and a bike flag. If i do decide to go car free all together I may consider moving closer to work. And I will def get a standard back up bike for just in case situations...and short errands.

Wow lots or responses. Hmm lets see I live in CA for starters. So weather is not going to be much of an issue. To be honest if my RT commute was 20 miles or less...my car would be gone next week....with money in my pocket.

[...]

I feel so lost. I so badly want to be car free. But im not sure if it will work with my current situation. Man I wish this RT was 20 miles or less :( I suppose if i wanted to go car free bad enough...I could make it happen. And as someone mentioned. I would most definately have a 2nd commute bike as a backup. Part because I am no very good with bike maintenace. In fact im a complete noob...and could use a teacher lol.

The only way to know for sure: Try it! Do it on a day off so you are not under any time pressure and you can work out any unforseen issues.

My commute is a little shorter, about 26- 28 miles (We have three checkpoints at the nuke plant, and two of them are only open for peak periods, so the distance varies).

I leave in the dark at about 4:30am to start at 6. Usually takes me about 45 to 55mins. I know guys who have longer commutes.

My whole point is that I'm certainly no Lance, so it should be well within your reach.

Biggest one: learn to change a tire. It's your most likely mechanical failure. Get a tune up at a bike shop, and go from there.

As for social life? To me it's only a small chunk of my week. Only you can to decide your priorities.

My commute is 6 miles each way, for a total of 12. This includes a considerable elevation difference, so one direction is more "difficult" than the other. I consider it to be a piece of cake. I've even been known to make the commute on days off, just as an excuse to ride.

Doubling my commute shouldn't be too hard. I could make the downhill side in less than an hour. Uphill would be about an hour if I was pushing myself fairly hard and had no head wind.

The biggest problem I can see is that it would eat up a good chunk of the clock. But it should be do-able.

Maybe you should try bicycling once a week. If you find yourself doing it more than that because you just don't really want to drive it, then you're home free.

Well good for you. Myself I would never go recumbent as I find the visibility (for me and of me) is way insufficient because it's lower to the ground, and a major reason I cycle is to get away from a regular chair (I have a bad back) and my MTB is much better for my back.

I'm a 43 y/y female who last year was commuting 35 miles a day from Hollywood to Miami (avg 20 mph so just under a hour each way not counting running errands), flat but hot. This year I'm only commuting 22 km per day (13m) but with huge hills and winds, with a 10h labour work day, so Friday night I am completely nackered.

Time, yes, time is the major pitfall. It means not going for an evening swim which would be an additional 10 km detour, not going to the ultimate frisbee pick-up games because that would be a 10km detour in a different direction, not catching a movie, because it would run way too late.

But the upside of this lack of social life is it saves you bundles of money :) and you become a role model for the younger generation.