Mzungu, I guess it all depends on your commute. Before I moved I could lengthen my commute by going up a very scenic river route and it really added to my fun/recreational/training miles. If I didn't have the time I'd just go straight to work or cut it off at any number of places.

I now have a much longer commute though, 40k if I do the whole thing, which I havn't yet this year. When I start up again in the spring I'll see if I agree with you.