Originally Posted by
no1mad
By long distance, I mean 20 or more miles in one direction (not round trip). I know there are few around, so let me pick your brains:
1. How many times per week do you ride into/from work?
2. Were you a recreational rider before you started commuting?
3. How long did it take you to complete the entire distance under your own power?
4. After your trial and error period, what ended up being your equipment?
My commute is 22 miles each way.
1) I aim for at least three days a week. Sometimes it's five, sometimes it's two. I will not ride TO work in the rain. I wll ride home, because I have to. Motivation?
2) I was riding after work pretty regularly, but commuting really upped my mileage and fitness.
3) At first, the ride took me two hours each way. I've done it as fast as a hour and five minutes.
4) I've found that I like Brooks saddles, panniers, and fenders. My Bridgestone XO-2 sees most of my mileage. I do have a Gunnar Sport which is set up for commuting, but I only ride it in good weather or if I know I don't have to stop. I can ride it home in bad weather, but I prefer the Bridgestone. I also have a Surly Pacer. Fenders did not fit with 700x28s, so it's my good weather bike. No fenders, no rack, just a Carradice saddlebag.