What's the mileage "sweet spot?"
01-15-13, 12:27 PM
#26
The Drive Side is Within
These days-- busy as they are-- the shorter, the better!
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The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
01-15-13, 02:08 PM
#27
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I haven't tallied up your posts on mileage, but would like to add to the comments about the amount of time vs. the mileage. Same holds true for most auto commuters (about time). As long as the drive is less than 1 hour they are often fine with the distance. So, if 20 miles takes you an hour or 50 miles takes you an hour that is okay. There are stats that back this up, but I have overheard many a driver say things like "when the new toll road opened up I was able to move to X city (i.e., further away) and still get to work in less than an hour."
We had a major roadway here that handled 90,000 vehicle trips per day. Another totally new road opened up parallel to it and took 70,000 trips a day and the old road never went below 55,000. Where did the extra trips come from? I think the latest numbers show that the old road is up around 100,000 trips and the new one over 100,000! So 200,000+ trips where there was 90,000
We had a major roadway here that handled 90,000 vehicle trips per day. Another totally new road opened up parallel to it and took 70,000 trips a day and the old road never went below 55,000. Where did the extra trips come from? I think the latest numbers show that the old road is up around 100,000 trips and the new one over 100,000! So 200,000+ trips where there was 90,000
01-15-13, 02:48 PM
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I enjoy my commute most of the year but time matters. Whether driving, riding, or taking public transit, 20 minutes is what I consider a nice commute. It also means I can come for a quick bite at lunch if I want.
In fair weather, I have to work pretty hard and have a little luck to complete my 6 mile commute in 20 minutes but 25 minutes isn't hard at all so it's good enough. I frequently add miles in the summer but it's nice to know I can get home or to work in just over 20 minutes if really need to.
I'd not be happy if my commute consistently took over 30 minutes year round like it frequently does in the winter. It's not that I don't like riding, it's that I don't like the idea of spending an hour+ on the road every day getting to and from work.
In fair weather, I have to work pretty hard and have a little luck to complete my 6 mile commute in 20 minutes but 25 minutes isn't hard at all so it's good enough. I frequently add miles in the summer but it's nice to know I can get home or to work in just over 20 minutes if really need to.
I'd not be happy if my commute consistently took over 30 minutes year round like it frequently does in the winter. It's not that I don't like riding, it's that I don't like the idea of spending an hour+ on the road every day getting to and from work.
01-15-13, 08:56 PM
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No clue what the sweet spot might be, but I'm going to drop from 11 to 7 very soon when I move. The miles were never the issue. Having to ride on the expressway in the dark (45-65 mph traffic) for more than half the ride was. Once I get moved, I'm on 35 mph city streets for at least a year. No more riding dangerous MUPs to bypass the even more dangerous expressway. Thankful for all of that.
01-15-13, 09:01 PM
#31
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I've commuted by bike from 72 miles round trip to just a few miles. When I finally settled down to buying a place to live I deliberately bought one near a bike path that would give me a slightly more than 20 mile round trip or if I'm in a hurry a streets route of 16 miles round trip. It really does come down to an issue of time, as many have mentioned, and for me that is roughly 30- 45 mins each way, which feels just right. Commutes of an hour or more each way are fine for a season or a year or so but after several years start to feel like an obsession rather than just a way to get to work.
01-16-13, 06:48 PM
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I'm doing a 28mi round trip commute. It's a workout on the foul-weather bike; on my roadbike, it's a joyride in the morning and after work. I am finding it tough to do all 5 days of the week though, esp. with the Oregon weather adding extra prep time to pull on warm clothes and plastic bags on my head and other such necessities.
Ultimately it'll be whatever you're comfortable with. I'm going to have to figure out a way to make the friday ride easy if I plan on doing 5/wk, as group rides in the area are all on Saturday.
Ultimately it'll be whatever you're comfortable with. I'm going to have to figure out a way to make the friday ride easy if I plan on doing 5/wk, as group rides in the area are all on Saturday.
01-16-13, 07:41 PM
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Interesting thread... I'm 11 miles from work (at the least) whether I ride mup or streets, and it's always just under an hour. Unless I drove or bussed partway it's going to be the same. Part of the reason I ride is I like that hour of quiet. Though I have to admit today's ride home at 30f was a slog.
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01-16-13, 09:18 PM
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for me it's less about the distance or the time but the quality of the ride.
mine is ~13 miles each way, the first half on fast suburban roads and the second half battling downtown potholes and intersections. it's a bit much, but I would do 13 miles on suburban streets in a hearbeat.
mine is ~13 miles each way, the first half on fast suburban roads and the second half battling downtown potholes and intersections. it's a bit much, but I would do 13 miles on suburban streets in a hearbeat.
01-16-13, 09:33 PM
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My round trip commute is 30 miles, and a bit hilly. I'm on the bike for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. I really like the length of my commute and sort of feel like I'm accomplishing something when I make it to work and when I make it home. I also use the length of the commute to augment my working-out, and it's also a great way to unwind. It really is exhilarating!
01-17-13, 08:13 AM
#36
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no one's mentioned age - big factor in length and time of commute!
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01-17-13, 09:04 AM
#37
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I really like my commute along the Colorado River in Austin. About 24 miles round trip, around 18 of which are on crushed granite bike paths running alongside the river. I ride a cyclocross or converted mountain bike and this route is very serene with the river, views, deer, birds, not to mention the female joggers. In all, a very nice ride and perfect time/distance. About 45 mins going and 55 mins returning.
Or, I can opt for more miles but higher speed and ride the Lance Armstrong Veloway and cross the Montopolis bridge on the dedicated bike lane. Interesting urban commute. Higher speeds but longer distance and about the same time as taking the river trail.
Or, I can just make time and take the bike lanes on the busy city streets. Fastest, most direct, but least interesting. About 40 mins going and 45-50 returning. Also have been clipped by cars twice on this route in 12 years. Usually avoid it if I can.
Still love bike commuting in Austin even though our city has grown so much.
Or, I can opt for more miles but higher speed and ride the Lance Armstrong Veloway and cross the Montopolis bridge on the dedicated bike lane. Interesting urban commute. Higher speeds but longer distance and about the same time as taking the river trail.
Or, I can just make time and take the bike lanes on the busy city streets. Fastest, most direct, but least interesting. About 40 mins going and 45-50 returning. Also have been clipped by cars twice on this route in 12 years. Usually avoid it if I can.
Still love bike commuting in Austin even though our city has grown so much.
01-17-13, 02:04 PM
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The shorter the trip the less I like it. As the OP points out it feels like a chore and less of an adventure. Anything less than 8 miles each way feels too short for me. I like commutes in the 10-15 mile range each way.
01-17-13, 02:35 PM
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I read (hear) a lot of you talking about the commute as an "adventure." I like the challenge as it does make me feel more vibrant that day. A cold (and wet) front has come through today and I'm excited about the brisk (and somewhat wet) ride home today. Those at work were astonished (come on - its still 60 or 65 degrees out!) I rode even though I've been a bicycle commuter for 30 years.
Additionally, part of the sweet spot in distance and time is the option to stop along the way and "smell the roses." Those roses tonight will be a good pint of local beer and some fresh fish tacos (sometimes its the public library instead). That tends to make total of 25 minute or so ride very pleasant. If I had an hour or longer commute like some of you I might not feel as though I had the option to stop and spend that extra time at the brewpub.
Additionally, part of the sweet spot in distance and time is the option to stop along the way and "smell the roses." Those roses tonight will be a good pint of local beer and some fresh fish tacos (sometimes its the public library instead). That tends to make total of 25 minute or so ride very pleasant. If I had an hour or longer commute like some of you I might not feel as though I had the option to stop and spend that extra time at the brewpub.
01-17-13, 07:51 PM
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It's all good until you have to start climbing hills...
01-17-13, 08:58 PM
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For me. A shorter ride would be so much more convenient and I would go HAM all the way to and from school. It would also be so much more logical to ride a bike than be driven to school (5 miles of climbing and descending) being such a short ride and would probably just be 5 minutes slower (5 minutes faster if there's no traffic). If I added 1 more mile to my route, it better be 1 extra mile of flat road without any traffic lights!
01-17-13, 10:43 PM
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I have almost an ideal commute, about 6 miles each way. The slope is downhill on the way to work when I am in a hurry and the roads are clear. (4:30 to 6 in the morning.) Coming back I usually take the bike path, a little longer and slower, and get a bit of a workout with the uphill part.
I had the bicycle route to work in mind when I was looking for a cheap place to rent. The place worked out exceptionally well in other ways too. Stay focused
I had the bicycle route to work in mind when I was looking for a cheap place to rent. The place worked out exceptionally well in other ways too. Stay focused
01-17-13, 10:50 PM
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For me, I think 10-13 miles each way is ideal.
01-17-13, 11:05 PM
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I like my commute, as short as 25 min or as long as an hour. That is part of the beauty of cycling, you can make it as short (limited by physics of course) or as long as you like. I would not like my commute as much if it was 10+ miles each way minimum, as them I would HAVE to ride that far each day, instead of choosing to when I wanted to.
01-17-13, 11:13 PM
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That's a tough question! I've had a lot of different commute distances and times over the years, and each one seemed pretty much right at the time.
My current commute is 16 or 17 miles round trip on my folding bike, plus 22 miles round trip on the Los Angeles Metro train. So cycling time is a bit over an hour round trip with 6.5 miles from home to the Norwalk Green Line station, 11 miles on the train, then 1.5 miles from the Harbor Fwy Station to work.
Train time is between 16 and 17 minutes each way, so total time, round trip is about an hour 45, plus or minus a few minutes depending on how I hit the lights, wind direction and velocity and my "personal motivation" on the day.
Rick / OCRR
My current commute is 16 or 17 miles round trip on my folding bike, plus 22 miles round trip on the Los Angeles Metro train. So cycling time is a bit over an hour round trip with 6.5 miles from home to the Norwalk Green Line station, 11 miles on the train, then 1.5 miles from the Harbor Fwy Station to work.
Train time is between 16 and 17 minutes each way, so total time, round trip is about an hour 45, plus or minus a few minutes depending on how I hit the lights, wind direction and velocity and my "personal motivation" on the day.
Rick / OCRR
01-18-13, 11:47 PM
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I just started riding further to work each day and I like it better with the longer distance. In July I went from 4.3 miles (6.9 km) one way to 4.5 (7.2 km) with a change in office location - and of course no difference other than the route at the end. Then I moved to another house and the commute is 7.3 (11.8 km) one way. For some reason this ride is more enjoyable even though the majority of the route is the same as in the past.
My guess at this point is that the longer ride allows a better warm up and better rythm than the shorter ride, allowing my body and mind to adjust better. Also, longer rides always feel more like an "adventure" on my way in and back, as opposed to a bit of a chore (i.e., utilitarian).
I know some of you haven't had to change your distances, but I'd be interested in your thoughts on your distance now and how you might like going shorter vs. longer. For those that have changed shorter or longer what have you noticed? What is your "sweet spot" in commuting distance?
(Note - of course our weather might have something to do with it as it is in the 60s in the morning and close to 80 in the afternoon - unusual for January even for Florida)
My guess at this point is that the longer ride allows a better warm up and better rythm than the shorter ride, allowing my body and mind to adjust better. Also, longer rides always feel more like an "adventure" on my way in and back, as opposed to a bit of a chore (i.e., utilitarian).
I know some of you haven't had to change your distances, but I'd be interested in your thoughts on your distance now and how you might like going shorter vs. longer. For those that have changed shorter or longer what have you noticed? What is your "sweet spot" in commuting distance?
(Note - of course our weather might have something to do with it as it is in the 60s in the morning and close to 80 in the afternoon - unusual for January even for Florida)
01-20-13, 02:15 PM
#47
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It takes me 2 hours to ride the 19.5 miles from work to home. That's on urban and suburban streets and with a short water break halfway and a slow creep along a one-mile stretch from hell. To a lot of people, this is a significant time investment for a commute, but I don't really think anything of it even though it's almost 3 times as long as when I commute by car. The way I see it, I'm awake for the same amount of time and am doing the same things each day whether I commute by bike or by car; it's just that the tasks and their alloted times get rearranged. In other words, the alarm goes off at the same time no matter what, and I still get to work, read, run errands, and exercise either way, so I don't feel as if I am losing anything by bike commuting or any other bicycle trip. I don't really think about the time or the distance that it takes me to get anywhere, because I figure that it all evens out. So, there is no ideal travel distance or time for me. I admit, though, that other than having to be at work at a more or less certain time, I do not have any time contraints, so that probably influences my outlook.
01-20-13, 02:39 PM
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I agree with the 10-12 mile estimate (each way). I've found that I miss the extra mile or so when improvements reduced my commute to about 9.4 miles. Really though it's more about time than miles. It takes me 30-32 minutes currently. 36 to 40 minutes didn't bother me and was still enjoyable on a daily basis. So broadly speaking, however many miles it is between 30 and 45 minutes is the sweet spot.
BTW, every hour spent bike commuting statistically adds one hour to your lifespan. Within reason. So if you actually enjoy the commute, no matter how long it is, literally no time is wasted.
BTW, every hour spent bike commuting statistically adds one hour to your lifespan. Within reason. So if you actually enjoy the commute, no matter how long it is, literally no time is wasted.
01-20-13, 03:13 PM
#49
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My commute is 23 miles round trip so it takes me about an hour with light hills on rural and some urban roads. In the summer and fall this is perfect for me. In the winter when the temps are in the single numbers and there is fresh snow on the road, it takes me 1hour 20mins. I find that slightly too long this time of year so I think the sweet spot would be 10 miles one way. I cannot commute every day year round with the weather around here but I believe I do it about 50% of the time when you average out an entire year.
01-20-13, 03:34 PM
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When I started bike commuting, my ride was 18-22 miles each way, depending on which route I chose. That definitely got me into shape, but it really was a bit too much to do every day, and it led to burnout.
Now my ride is 9 miles each way, and I have the option of taking the long way home if I choose. 9 miles is just about perfect, I think. It's just long enough to warrant putting on bike clothes, and long enough to give me a good workout, but it's not so long that my entire day centers around the ride.
Now my ride is 9 miles each way, and I have the option of taking the long way home if I choose. 9 miles is just about perfect, I think. It's just long enough to warrant putting on bike clothes, and long enough to give me a good workout, but it's not so long that my entire day centers around the ride.