kyplaskon

Locally, people were always surprised by my commute length of 67 miles. I posted this story on the Solitary Cycling Facebook page (125k members) and found that there are a TON of people who commute long distances by bike to work. It's refreshing to know that there are people out there setting a great example. If I can ride 67 miles round trip, there are certainly many people out there who could ride just 1-10 a few times a week.

https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2023/...e/70228403007/

Troul 

my short conversations with those that would have entertained the idea has revealed that other factors out of there control put the skids on that being a thing.

Location is key.

jon c. 

Few have that kind of time. And where I live I think you'd hit a thunderstorm 4 days out of 5 in the summer. But I certainly admire anyone who can pull it off.

work4bike

My longest commute to work was nearly 50-miles round trip, IIRC it was about 23-miles one way. My co-workers, that lived near me, were kind of astonished at how quick I got to work compared to their time. And that's because the traffic in this area was horrendous, but I stuck to the back roads and saw almost none of it, but those areas where I did see heavy traffic, I simply rode past

I saw it as time well spent, since I was getting to work and a cardio workout at the same time, without the stress of dealing with traffic.




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ThermionicScott 

Back when the Commuting forum was a lot more active, you'd see a few long-distance commuters, even some dedicated threads like Very long commute club: week 23 @CigTech was pretty legendary for wringing lots of commuting miles out of cheap bikes.

@kyplaskon, you should get in on the Commuting Mileage Thread: The 2023 Commuting Mileage Thread!

kyplaskon

I hit a thunderstorm yesterday.

FBinNY 

So, i only rode to work totalling 75-100+ per week for 10+ years*, but I'd never use that to argue that others could too.

We're all in different situations and live our own lives based on personal situations, possibilities, and preferences.

So, while I'm happy to hear that you found something that works for you, I can't endorse the implied virtue signaling.

* distances vary because I'd often take longer routes home depending on time, weather, and whim.

L26

This is crazy to me as a newbie. I rode a crappy folding bike a few months ago for all of like 5 miles before it fell apart and my perineum was sore for a week. I bet you didn't cheap out on your saddle

Troul 

or just didn't sit nor poop for a week?

work4bike

When I first started commuting, I went thru about five department store cheap bikes (two of them broke down within a week) before I broke down and went to a bike store. As for the seat, I have nothing special, you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll become a hard ass

I-Like-To-Bike

Agree with application of the label "virtue signaling" to the OP; only it is not "implied," it is overt as well as obnoxious.
Boasting and flexing about "setting a great example" by long distance cycling is not only a foolish argument that others "could too," it is a wee-wee poor argument about why they should.

JoeyBike

I couldn't do that for very long. Maybe once a week.

My longest was 18 each way. 10 on a bike path, the rest in the city straight through the Downtown grid. It was not by choice. My wife and I were displaced to an apartment complex outside of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina ruined out house. I did this commute for almost 1-1/2 years. I was in great shape, I'll tell you that. And how I avoided any overuse injuries I couldn't tell you. Dumb luck.

My favorite commute was 8 each way, about 6 on a lake-side bike path. 8 is about the most I really want to be honest.

Currently, my commute past 4 years is 7 MINUTES. I can walk it in 25 minutes. 100% through a college campus and City Park. Heaven.

PaulH

For me, 67 miles would be too far to drive, let alone bike.

wolfchild

A long distance bike commute like that will only work for somebody who has an easy sedentary job and has nothing else to do in their life. I mean we're looking at least 2 hours or more ride one way to work and another 2 hours or more back daily.....Personally I wouldn't even want to drive that far to a job. If it works for you that's great, but it's just not practical even for majority of bike enthusiasts who love riding.

JoeyBike

Same here. That said...

My forced 18 mile commute (36 daily) for 17 months was FAR preferable to driving it in a car. It was only 20-30 minutes more on the bike, mostly chill bike paths, no getting stuck in gridlock, and I was getting in Hella-good shape. My wife spends 45-90 minutes in the gym nearly every day AND drives to/from work.

60 miles a day IS that dude's life. If he likes it, and can avoid overuse injuries, rock on man! Fabulous. MAKE TIME for what you love.

FBinNY 

This has always been one of my arguments for bike commuting. It's the ultimate multi-tasking.

Instead of sitting in traffic, then spending time at the gym, bike commuting kills two birds, and gives me an extra hour for other stuff.

bikemig 

I've never been tempted to buy an e-bike but I would if I dealt with a long commute like this.

Kat12

Pooping is for sissies, and standing desks are trendy!


...but for those who love things *besides* biking... (or, have commitments besides biking)...


Assuming that biking is all one wants out of the gym. Hard to lift weights, do plyo, or practice dance on a bike, though (I apparently *don't* multitask well).

Besides, me going to the gym after work (gym is in office building) lets me avoid going home during rush-hour traffic.

FBinNY 

I write how I think and speak, and simply to add emoticons, so you have to discern the smile by context. I know there are other reasons to hit the gym, (yes, I go too) but find that the vast majority seems to be on treadmills or stationary bikes, even with beautiful weather conducive to an evening walk.

Anyway, you're a better multi-tasker than you admit. Using sit-in-traffic time to hit the gym counts.

I-Like-To-Bike

Note: The OP does his 67 mile bike commute once or twice a week. Presumably he drives to work on other days or works from home. Perhaps if he lived closer to his worksite(s) he could set a great example of riding a bike to work everyday.

mdarnton

Thanks, OP. I'm always interested and inspired by what other people are doing.
Commuting on my bike is the best part of my day.

Kat12

Some people do honestly believe that gym is pointless... I know another forum where someone posted such a thread only recently. And, for some people, biking truly is all they want to do. OP may in fact be one of those people (which, I admit, surely makes life easier than doing a lot of things).

FBinNY 

We all live our own lives. I've always been active, especially bicycling. Non cycling friends would say things like how it's good that I took such care of my health.

I'd always correct that, and say that I rode because I liked it, and any effect on health was purely a fringe benefit.

Kat12

It's definitely a lot easier when it's something you love!

JoeyBike

I've taken as long as 7 months on self-contained bike tours and averaged 60 miles/Day on fully loaded touring bikes. Can't imagine having to work an 8 hour day too.

I was in great shape even though I do not love ​​cycling. Better than going to a gym for me but fitness is just a bi-product of me getting from A to B, not much riding for fun/fitness on purpose.