Originally Posted by
tjspiel
For us, being close to work was definitely a big factor in our decision to live where we do. Overall, it's been great, but not without tradeoffs. Being able to bike to work is awesome, but there are lots of other things to consider when choosing a place to live.
I do like the "design your life" philosophy though.
Not to sound like a hardcore roadie, but for me fitness is a major reason to cycle commute, and I consider my situation not “close,” but “optimal.”
Originally Posted by
MikeRides
12 miles is nothing. A 40 minute max ride if you're in decent shape..
Originally Posted by
genec
Gotta agree... I felt that 12 miles was "just right." Any shorter and you don't feel like you're getting a good workout. Any longer and it starts to get old....
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
+1. I consider about 10 miles a minimum, and my current early morning commute is a minimal 14 miles one way in the reverse usual commuter route, and in the past was 11 miles…In the nice weather I engage a training schedule with daily mileage quotas, and can expand the inbound distance gradually up to 30 miles one way, through some premier cycling areas of Metro Boston.
This was not a conscious decision, but resulted from those “other things.”
I am occasionally asked by suburban colleagues who live closer to work, why I don’t move out there from downtown. My reply is that for cycling purposes, the distance and routes are perfect, meanwhile thinking to myself,
“Why do you think they call it ‘sub-urban’ living (like ‘sub-human’)”? 