I commute 32 miles everyday, all year round. Some days with lots of snow/ice/etc I will catch a ride but for the most part I ride. With that being said I couldn’t imagine a 80 mile trip 3 days a week but I think it could be done. Lets say you ride at a mediocre pace and can get the ride done in 3hours (~13mi/hr), thats not including getting gear on (esp when its colder) packing food extra clothes ect. So lets say your pretty quick at getting packed/dressed/undressed and theres another 30 minutes. If you only have to work 8 hour days than your gone from the house for 14.5 hours. Once home youll have to get/make food, get all clothing ready and food for the next day, take a shower, relax a bit and I would assume stretch. Another 1.5 hours at least. So that’s 16 hours leaving you with 8 hours of sleep. Therefore it could be done, but when you have to put in long days, the weather is nasty, or your legs are sore, that rides going to feel like an eternity. Id say try it and see what happens. I would be interested in how you feel after the second day of commuting.

I would think about picking up a larger saddle bag if you don’t want to put anything on your back (esp in the summer) since youll have to bring in food everyday and LOTS of it. Also you will find out very quickly if your lighting is up to par or not. I use a tactical flashlight as well but most of my commute is through the city and its outskirts so there are street lights but they do a wonderful job. As for the comment that these miles are “junk” miles your crazy. Of course he could drive to work and get home to go do intervals/etc but if you commuted these kind of miles at a fast pace you would be an animal. There will always be naysayers telling you its impossible but if you have a plan of attack its not that wild of an idea.