My commute is 40km round trip (24.8 m) I can vary the route slightly without affecting distance or time, but either way it's all on arterial roads. On average it takes me about 40 minutes each way. I sometimes take a longer, hillier route home when I have the time and the inclination. It's not quite 26,000 miles, though.

When choosing a route, I'll use the same route I'd take if I were driving a car, namely the most direct one. I've never understood the need to find 'bike-safe' routes that take you far from you're desire course and involve complex, confusing directions. I won't waste my money on Bikeway maps.

Besides, riding in heavy traffic sates some of the thrillseeking urge that I has gone wanting since I gave up mountainbiking, and there's something satisfying in the application of a well practiced skill.