I ride 10.5 miles each way on the direct route from Va into DC, occasionally taking the scenic 17 mile route home. Have had this job over 20 years but only started commuting 16 months ago. I figure I missed about 95000 miles of training in all that time. What might my legs look like now, if only ..., if only ...!
[Welcome to the street, caj808. Don't worry, by next fall you'll cover the 16 miles in the time you take now for 11, and will be searching for longer alternative routes. Hobbs, your ride sounds wonderful. Wind in NZ is like wind in US - always a headwind?]