Who has the longest commute and how do you survive?
04-23-14, 02:51 PM
#1
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Who has the longest commute and how do you survive?
I only have 2.5 miles which is basically walking distance. So lucky me. But who here has a long commute(20+miles) and how do you survive?
04-23-14, 04:07 PM
#2
Pedaled too far.
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My last commute was 20 miles a day RT and it was just barely long enough to shake off the job. Sometimes it was an adventure, especially in winter with it's ice puddles and a hill that peaked at almost 20 degrees. In summer when I could ride through a park after work and stop at natural vistas it was nice.
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04-23-14, 04:15 PM
#3
contiuniously variable
I had a 8.2 (16.4 rt) route I used to ride a few times a week. While probably not the longest... If you ever look at google maps... You'll see that it has some small stealth mountains in the elevation. Route 413/Durham rd between Newtown bypass and new falls rd in Levittown.
- Andy
- Andy
04-23-14, 04:21 PM
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It depends which route I take..My commute is 17-20 miles roundtrip....This past winter was real mean and nasty and pushed me to my limits..How do I survive ??..I have a lot of determination and a great sense of adventure...I am also car-free and too stubborn to take the easy way out and take public transit.
04-23-14, 04:42 PM
#5
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Mine is 39 mi RT, done using supplemental oxygen (old lung disease). The question seems ill-posed. For me, at least, is how would I survive w/o it.
04-23-14, 04:47 PM
#6
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Mine is 28 miles round trip - I'm pretty much a fair weather commuter since I can't imagine what riding in the pouring rain would be like for that long (really enjoyable on sunny days!)
04-23-14, 04:56 PM
#7
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
My longest urban commute was a 20 km round trip (13 miles through 4 seasons) and for a time I used my bicycle to make client calls and would often ride 60 km a day... my long commute (rural) is 50 km one way and have done that daily in nice weather. It is nice to start the day with a few hours on the bike and then end it with a few more hours... I don't watch television or belong to a gym and cycling is one of the most enjoyable activities there is.
Averaging 40 km a day was something I did for years and besides the commute and utilitarian rides, I'd also get out for recreational rides that ranged from 20 - 160km.
You get used to it.
Averaging 40 km a day was something I did for years and besides the commute and utilitarian rides, I'd also get out for recreational rides that ranged from 20 - 160km.
You get used to it.
04-23-14, 05:11 PM
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My commute is about 31 miles roundtrip. I started out commuting about 20 miles RT, but my office moved downtown a few years ago, increasing the distance about 10 miles. Distance isn't the issue for me, it's the time and weather uncertainties. My commute time is usually over an hour travel time each way counting stops for red lights and traffic, and that can be a challenge when the weather is sketchy -- extremely hot or cold, very windy, storm threatening, etc.
04-23-14, 05:46 PM
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The longest is not necessarily the most difficult. My optional 34 mile RT (back roads, little traffic) now is much more pleasurable than the mandatory 29 RT of 3 years ago when i rode year round (rush hour, poor roads/main roads with no shoulder, traffic lights). When people ask how i survived, I told them 3 things- Mind over matter, faith in God and studded-snow tires. But there was quite a bit of luck involved too.
04-23-14, 06:15 PM
#10
Banned
12 miles ,, about an Hour .. Books-on-Tape in the earbuds ,, it was open countryside .. between Eugene and Junction City OR.
04-23-14, 06:50 PM
#11
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I'm working up to 40 mile round trip. Trying to do twice a week. Started off car/train/bike 24 miles. Now bike/train/bike 34 miles. Will still probably use train in morning long term to help with consistency. Looking to drop train in evening, but route will be longer to take a much safer traffic corrider than the more direct paralleling train route.
04-23-14, 06:56 PM
#12
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Mine is 5-miles RT. 2.5-miles each way
04-23-14, 07:58 PM
#13
contiuniously variable
04-23-14, 09:19 PM
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shaken, not stirred.
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50km round trip. sufficient lights so that I don't get skittled by cars. i wuss out when it's wet and drive.
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04-23-14, 09:33 PM
#17
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35mi RT on a mountain bike because 5mi/day is offroad. I work 4 11-hour days and I can do it because I don't have kids and my wife is awesome. I also prefer an extra half-hour of sleep for every hour spent on the bike which doesn't leave much time in the evenings.
04-23-14, 10:51 PM
#18
Used to be fast
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Right now bike/train/bike to work with 6 miles on bike. Home on bike 23 miles, 13.5 on the LA River mup into a ridiculous headwind that kills speed and part of my soul. When I feel lazy, bike/train/bike home with about 11 on bike.
04-23-14, 11:15 PM
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Depends. Some days its 50km all up, others 20km and today a mere 8km. 50km isn't all that much really. Do it every day and add a long ride in the weekend and its becomes normal. Just need a change of clothes.
04-23-14, 11:33 PM
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I have 66km RT. My legs are feeling a little sore going down the stairs tonight so tomorrow will be an easy day. When my legs feel good I ride harder. I find myself skipping weekend rides if the weather is at all questionable.
04-24-14, 06:27 AM
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40 miles RT. Each ride only ends up being 15-30 min longer than taking the train. If I drive to the train station, I usually leave at 0630. Yesterday I left my house on my bike at 0615. My route actually takes me right by Union Station in DC. When I got to Union Station, at around 0730, all my train buddies were crossing the street 
I think their train was a few minutes late though.
I think their train was a few minutes late though.
Last edited by skins_brew; 04-24-14 at 06:34 AM.
04-24-14, 06:43 AM
#23
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Wimp! 47,000,000 mm RT (47km/29mi) but I'm not quite there yet; right now, I waffle between the 18km route (one way) and the 4.6km direct route as I build up endurance (and shake off the squats, leg presses, deadlifts, calf raises and lunges from the gym the night before).
04-24-14, 07:28 AM
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24 miles, RT here ... sometimes I extend it to 30 if I'm feeling good or have no reason to rush home.
04-24-14, 08:07 AM
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20 minutes RT, usually ride fast on the way home to pick up my son from school. Takes about 40-45 minutes avg each way, although 1 time when I was running late I got there in 36 minutes. My only gripe is I work a 6:30am shift so now I wake up at 4:30 instead of 5:30. Trying to get used to it though. I usually ride 4-5 days a week. When I started my legs were sore every day and I would crash out when I got home but it's getting much better. Ever since I started riding to work, work's been much more pleasant maybe because I have a ride home to look forward to. Driving a car feels weird and counterproductive for me now.