I watch TV while I'm on the bike trainer. But it is much better than sitting and watching TV.

I've been thinking about how I could hook up a trainer to a generator and use that to power my tv. Or maybe learn to knit while on the trainer so I can triple task. One of my friends can knit on the back of her tandem, so a trainer should be a piece of cake!

I need to make a book holder so
I can read at the same time. my poor books would get drenched in sweat.

My trip is about 25 miles round trip. 11.5 miles from home to job #1 takes between 40-50 min. I leave at 3:50 am so there is no traffic and I don't stop for lights except for those rare occasions when there is actually cross traffic. Its 4 miles from job 1 to job 2, takes about 20 minutes but that's because I always stop at the store on my way. Then its 10 miles home. That ride is almost all on a MUP along a creek, takes about 35-45 minute depending on weather and my energy level.

According to a 2014 article:
How much time do we spend commuting every year?

"The average Australian now spends 29 minutes one-way on their commutes " ... and that is pretty much exactly what I spend. Rowan's commute might be slightly longer, but in that ballpark.


And this article about commuting in the UK is kind of interesting too:
Fascinating commuting figures from the UK and around the world | Life | Life & Style | Daily Express

Among many other things, it says: "In 2003 the average UK commute was 45 minutes, today it is 54 minutes. That compares with 70 minutes in Portugal, 80 minutes in Ivory Coast and a mere 23 minutes in Italy. The world average is about 40 minutes." I think those are one-way commutes, but I could be wrong. It is a little hard to tell.


Do you have the 2014 commute stats for the US?



One way, my commute is about 17 km with about 310 metre of climbing (it's a 1.8 ride, which is just above my level right now ... (310/17000)*100=1.8). That commute (bus + walking) is about 30 min on a decent day. As much as an hour on a bad day.

My longest commute was a 150 km drive to University, and it took approx. 3 hours/day. I wouldn't want to go any further than that.

My longest bicycle commute was 35 km each way (70 km/day) ... it was relatively flat, and back then (2008 or so), I could get it done in anywhere from as little as 1.5 hours and at the most about 1.75 hours. However, I only did it between 1 and 3 times a week in summer.

Now ... in 25.5 minutes, I could travel about 8.5 km on a bicycle on flat ground. In hilly terrain, I'd be down around 5-6 km. I am not a climber. So that 17 km commute would take me about 1.5 hours one way right now. However, I am working on my climbing and speed ... so one day I might be able to cover that distance in, say, 1 hour!

I used to commute 45 minutes (average) driving my car and I HATED it. Occasionally it was a couple hours. Nothing feels more meaningless than sitting parked in exhaust fumes cooking on the interstate.

Now I commute by bike and it takes 1:20 (almost to the minute) and I LOVE it. It feels like an adventure every day. I feel so connected with the world. Smelling the air. Loving the new sunrise. And exercising at the same time!

The "pain" of the commute can be measured in minutes when I drive.

The "joy" of the commute can be measured in minutes when I ride.

Currently I commute about 6-7 miles each way... about 25 minutes. I could put up with a commute of 30 miles each way. That is about the range of my battery on my bike in full assist when it is loaded down.