Originally Posted by
MikeRides
12 miles is nothing. A 40 minute max ride if you're in decent shape. Depending on the pop. size of the city and time of day, to drive 12 miles can take just as long.
Those were my initial thoughts too. My children are grown, but job committments have increased so much, that I often stay over at work. To a great extent I can do my work on my own schedule. I figure I save about 3 hours a day (cycle in for about 1 to 1.5 hours; get to train station; train ride home, with bike; ride home from station). The advantage is I can work later, and be at my desk at 5:00 AM (a great time for me). The downside is that I miss the morning ride, and suffer a loss in fitness.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
For several weeks I’ve been curtailed in my [cycle] commute by work… Even with winter coming and my carbon fiber bike to be put away, the flesh is indeed always willing (though the spirit may be weak)…
I still traveled mostly car-free as before, but my New Year’s Resolution is to get back to a virtual six day a week cycle commute.
Originally Posted by
Buffalo Buff
Can't say I understand the people thinking biking can replace gym time. Maybe if all you do in the gym is cardio, but if you do strength training of any sort then the two are not interchangeable. Commuting to work doesn't do to the body what squatting, bench pressing, deadlifting etc. do…
Originally Posted by
noglider
Look at it this way. You need to exercise somehow. You could drive to work and then go to a gym at some other time of day. Some rough number guesses:
30 minutes to drive to work
60 minutes to cycle to work
15 minutes to drive to gym
60 minute workout required at gym…
For me, one of my best investments in time management is cycle commuting for the cardio benefits and sheer enjoyment that encourages the habit. I do realize that I am deficient in strength (and flexibility), but don’t see the need spend the extra time in my busy day to go to the gym.
For a few years I readily improved my flexibility, at the work-place on my time, by doing yoga. For strength, just this morning I was a sporting goods store, and looked at some free weights, kettleballs, and stretch bands that could be easily stored and used at my office.
Despite my long hours, the elasticity of my schedule is a benefit allowing many possibilities for exercise. BTW, I suffered a serious cycling accident in 2012, and my injuries have discouraged the extra effort to improve flexibilility and strength, and have contributed to my loss of cycling time. Posting this note may well give me the Moral Support sought by the Opening Post.