Originally Posted by
Ridefreemc
I just started riding further to work each day and I like it better with the longer distance. In July I went from 4.3 miles (6.9 km) one way to 4.5 (7.2 km) with a change in office location - and of course no difference other than the route at the end. Then I moved to another house and the commute is 7.3 (11.8 km) one way. For some reason this ride is more enjoyable even though the majority of the route is the same as in the past.
My guess at this point is that the longer ride allows a better warm up and better rythm than the shorter ride, allowing my body and mind to adjust better. Also, longer rides always feel more like an "adventure" on my way in and back, as opposed to a bit of a chore (i.e., utilitarian).
I know some of you haven't had to change your distances, but I'd be interested in your thoughts on your distance now and how you might like going shorter vs. longer. For those that have changed shorter or longer what have you noticed? What is your "sweet spot" in commuting distance?
(Note - of course our weather might have something to do with it as it is in the 60s in the morning and close to 80 in the afternoon - unusual for January even for Florida)
My commute started riding to school. It got boring so I expanded the route from its 1.4 miles to about 4 miles by simply riding a different way. I Got my first job about a year later and it was 15 miles each way. It was easy at that point. 20+years later, I'm starting over. Tried to get back on last year and tore up a shoulder. I do 3 miles each day after work at this point on nights when my wife puts the baby down. I keep extending each week now that the soreness is gone. It's 10 miles to the freeway from here so the goal is down and back in an hour. At that point ill be willing to take on 2-3 times a week riding to work which is 20 miles one direction. I'd probably drive in then ride home and back the next am then drive home. By then well have to sort out getting the kiddo off to school which kind of kills the daily commute thing. If that can't be sorted out, I may just take the bike to work each day and ride at lunch. There are some killer hills around work.