That's one way. We are riding East-West direction so there is always head wind in the afternoon going home but no wind in the morning going to work most of the time. It's worse in the winter. What I learn after I got my road bike is that the expense on other things for the bike can cost as much as the bike itself.
Originally Posted by
CliffordK
Is that one way? Daily round trip?
15 miles each way is a petty decent ride. With wind... Yep, it would be possible to do on an old English 3 speed. Or even a one speed beach cruiser. BUT IT WOULDN'T BE FUN.
Get a bike that one enjoys riding... and that 1000 miles in a year will become 3000 or 5000 miles, and continue year after year.
$800 is scraping the bottom of the barrel for new road bikes or cross bikes at the LBS.
However, on the used market, or perhaps the Bikes Direct or online market, it can get a pretty decent rig.
A good bike can also last for a very long time... years, or decades, leaving the purchase price very small.