Radiohead84

Hey I am new to biking but I like it so much I think riding to work would be great. Sadly my work is going to be 25 miles away. Is this going to be practical at all for a once and a while ride to work? I think one major obstacle is finding a route that has low traffic.

I am trying to get form Lancaster PA to York PA

crtreedude 

There is a thread in here on very long commutes - I think you qualify.

A lot depends on your conditioning and how bad it is between the two places.

substructure

Mine is 43 mile one way. What I mostly do is drive w/bike to work Monday, bike home that night, bike in the next day, rest a day, and do it again Thursday. That is, if everything works to my favor. I don't get home until 7pm so everything has to be good with the family. It can be done.

fevans

Drive and ride (or partial commute) works pretty good too. You just have to find a safe place to leave the vehicle for the day.

Or you can make use of some public form of transportation instead of driving.

acroy

25 miles is doable by mere mortals. you do need to find a good route... fellow here occasionally commutes 27 miles each way, has a good route.
one thing for sure, it'll whip you into shape REAL fast!
best of luck!

Andreas

I think that just thinking about it is worth applauses! When i started commuting my mind was set on " take it easy in the beginning", meaning start out with plenty of time ahead so you don´t have to rush. When you´ve done it a few times,you´know how long it takes in rain,windy days e.t.c.
Do i have to mention adequate shoes ( SPD or whatever) and helmet ? Much can happen on 25 miles.

Radiohead84

lol thanks. Yeah i have shoes and all the safety gear I need(helmet, tubes, lights, reflects). The only thing that really stands in my way is the extra time and getting hit by cars :/

ax0n

I have a 22 mile commute one way. I usually use the bus to bridge the chasm between home and work, and end up riding an average of 5-7 miles each way (3 miles in the AM, 7-10 or more if it's nice at night)

DC Bruz

This is most definitely doable. My current commute is 30.2km each way and I always get to work wishing I could have ridden a bit further . As others have already said finding a good route is the one of the most important things you need to do. When I first started my route was really bad. I was thrown into the peak hour mix with bumper-to-bumper cars and trucks. It was only a matter of time before I would end up under a wheel or ten. Thankfully I've refined my route to only be designated bike lanes and paths. The best part about that is the distance didn't increase at all. God bless Melbourne's MUP system .

If you plan to do this commute on a regular basis I also have to stress that you buy appropriate clothing. If your area gets as cold as where I live, you'll find yourself screaming to get back into bed if you don't have a nice toasty jacket and jersey. I know 10C degrees is not much to complain about but I'm a wuss when it comes to the cold weather and I don't think I could put myself through the commute without my three tier system of undershirt -> jersey -> jacket.

Lights are also something you will need if you work the standard 9 - 5 or there abouts. The early morning light isn't the best and being rear ended by a sleepy office gremlin is a good way to ruin your day quickly. If you do nothing else make sure you invest in a powerful rear light if you don't have one already.

Cyclaholic

25 miles is a piece of cake, I did 33 miles each way for several years. There's a regular training ride run by a few cat3's that I'd hook up with once a week on the ride home, that was a 60 mile hammerfest.

My latest commute is about 25 each way but fortunately I have a bunch of really nice 40 - 60 mile options on the way home.

The key to it is to find a route that you're comfortable with.

knobster

My work is 26 miles away and in the next town. What I do is drive my bike out to the edge of my city (10 miles out) and then bike from there (16 miles). It works out really well as most of my commute is through the country. My hesitation about doing all of it is having to get up so early. I already have to get up at 5:30 to do this and I hate that. Not a morning person. Doing the entire commute would mean I'd have to get up at 5:00. Boy that would suck for me.

Joey1

I'm from that area and it's definetly doable. If you are new to riding it might take you a little while to work your way up to that milage. Just get out on the weekends and get some base miles in. You should be able to do it in no time. Take some practice runs on the weekends when you don't feel rushed and can go at your own speed.

Good luck.

WillisB

Mine is 20 miles each way on mostly rural paved roads. Very doable.

DataJunkie

28 miles here. I ride 3-4 days a week depending upon how I have tortured myself on the weekend.
25 is definitely doable.
Bike fit, nutrition, recover days or recovery rides, and sleep become much more important at that mileage.

I use either a touring bike or a racing bike depending upon the weather.

AndrewP

There seems to be a road going more or less parallel to Hwy 30, so traffic shouldnt be too bad. I ride 17 miles each way but hardly ever 2 days in succession.

e0richt

I have a 21 mile commute and I drive the bike out 13 miles and do the 8 by bike... I figure that any mile that I can do by bike is less than what it normally would be by car and will save me some money on gas...

Radiohead84

Well I changed my job lol but its still 25 miles away. I now need to ride from Lancaster, PA to Delta, PA. Looks like its a lot less busy roads so it might be better. I drove it once and it seemed a little hilly. I am going to vegas this weekend but next weekend i'll give it a go on my bike and see how long it takes me.

The longest ride I have done on a bike has been 55 and I felt fine.....just took a while. I am not worried about not being able to do it, its just the speed and cars. I have to get to work by 8 :/

rnorris

23 miles in, 25 home for me, with nearly 1000' of climbing on the homebound trip. I only have time to do the whole round trip by bike once or twice a week, the rest of the time I put the bike on the bus for part or most of the trip. If I can handle the distance, probably nearly anyone can; I'm a 105lb. skinny geek who commutes most of the time on a '90s Stumpjumper that cost all of $130.

kickflipjr

You could drive half way and then bike the rest. I went to school 25miles away and a would bike the second half.

c_m_shooter

My commute is 36 or 40 miles each way depending on wich way I go. I do it once a week with no problem. I work 11 hour shifts, so if were to do it more than that I wouldn't have time to sleep.

Radiohead84

wow you are a beast