I commute to several locations to work and volunteer and my own shop is only 32 steps from my back door and could be described as snow covered and icy right now.

My commute to the co-op is 8km through the heart of the city and a good portion of this has very nice bike paths that make riding just about as fast as driving and it is for the most part a pretty relaxing ride... it's a short 20 minute ride.

I spend alternate weeks at the frame shop and it is 50 km from my home (one way) as it is located in the country which makes for a wonderful ride... the first 10km tales me through and out of the city (my home is almost dead center) and then I have 40 km of wide open roads with huge shoulders. The first 25 km is a gradual climb and then I have 20 km of gradual descent before things take me up again. I usually plan on my ride to be 2 hours as I stop mid way for my morning coffee and if I go out without stops I can maintain a speed of 35 kmh in nice conditions without killing myself.

I have quite a few bikes and could ride any of them the 50 km... last summer my folder did the lion's share of the long commute as well as century rides and metrics... I spent quite a few evenings at the shop doing mods to the bike which started he season as a fixed gear but is now a 21 speed with improved brakes, wheels, and a number of braze ons.

It is also a great urban bike as it spins up so very quickly and is very agile... it also offers a wide range of adjustability so when I am in touring mode I run the bars higher and if I need to get low the adjustable stem gives me some very aggressive saddle to bar drop if I need it.



My hybrid sees a lot of miles as well as it is a great all rounder that is great in the city and very capable when it comes to taking longer trips although the folder seems to be consistently faster... both bikes weigh about the same and think the folder has quite an aerodynamic edge and the smaller lighter wheels make quite a difference.



Also take my touring bike on the long commute and it is well suited for carrying a lot more gear... sometimes I stay overnight and can use the touring bike to stock up on supplies and once I have dropped my gear and lightened the bike it is also quite capable of covering 35 km in an hour when you have no stops.