To a small extent, I do this. Shortest commute is 2.5 miles, but I usually take this instead. I realize that even the "long" way is short, but it has a surprisingly good mix of riding in super low traffic areas that is scenic and relatively intense. I've explored a number of considerably longer routes, but the miles feel like junk due to traffic controls, lame grades, and the like. This is where I sometimes miss my old rural highways, though I don't miss having vehicles buzz me at 65+mph.

The scale has reacted the way I'd expect it to. Body fat is up 2% to the highest value I've ever seen it. It's not a problem yet, but the pattern has to stop. I actually had to adopt sensible eating habits which sounds like it sucks but it doesn't since I hate force feeding myself and have had to eat way more than I wanted to for a long time.