How much time per day are you in the saddle?
#1
How much time per day are you in the saddle?
Hi everyone.
Occasional bike commuter here looking to do more in time. I work two jobs, and have yet to ride on a day when I must be at both jobs. I think I could make the actual ride... the logistics of it are more challenging than I expected.
When you're commuting on bike to work, how much time per day do you spend riding? I think if I make it up to 90% commuting by bike (including appointments after work, etc). I might be averaging riding for 2.5 hours a day, some days more, some less. Does that seem very unreasonable or pretty average?
Thanks!
Occasional bike commuter here looking to do more in time. I work two jobs, and have yet to ride on a day when I must be at both jobs. I think I could make the actual ride... the logistics of it are more challenging than I expected.
When you're commuting on bike to work, how much time per day do you spend riding? I think if I make it up to 90% commuting by bike (including appointments after work, etc). I might be averaging riding for 2.5 hours a day, some days more, some less. Does that seem very unreasonable or pretty average?
Thanks!
#2
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I end up with nearly 2.5 hours of saddle time on many days that I bike commute. My bike computer only counts the time that my bike is moving, which is about 2:00 to 2:10 most days. However, if you count the time that I spend sitting at traffic lights, it comes closer to 2:20-2:30. Some days I take a longer route home and end up with about 3:00 hours of riding time.
Whether that is reasonable for you depends on your fitness, the weather and how much free time that you have. I get up at 5 am on weekdays to allow enough time for commuting in the morning and don't get home from work until about 6:30 pm. It makes for a long day, but I don't have to worry about going to the gym or exercising after I get home.
Whether that is reasonable for you depends on your fitness, the weather and how much free time that you have. I get up at 5 am on weekdays to allow enough time for commuting in the morning and don't get home from work until about 6:30 pm. It makes for a long day, but I don't have to worry about going to the gym or exercising after I get home.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 5
From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
Somewhere between an hour and a half and an hour and forty five minutes. Recreation rides are more like 2-3 hours. Lately it has been not very much time though. Fall can't happen soon enough down here!!
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
About 25 minutes each way, so 50 min total. That's often not enough, so I'll either take a detour through some of my favorite hills, or go on a separate ride after I get home.
#5
LET'S ROLL
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,789
Likes: 59
From: NEW YORK, NY - USA
Bikes: 2014 BMC Gran Fondo, 2013 Brompton S6L-X
My commute one way is 1.5 hours or 3 hours round trip.
Sometimes if I'm running late in the morning; I would
take my bike on the train/bus. Cutting my commute time
in half.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0slP...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
Sometimes if I'm running late in the morning; I would
take my bike on the train/bus. Cutting my commute time
in half.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0slP...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 895
Likes: 10
From: columbus, ohio
Bikes: Soma Saga, 1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, New Albion Privateer
My commute is one half hour each way. it is not so long so i am able to do it every day 12 mos a year, rain, shine, snow, sleet, hail, etc. I also do 40 to 60 mile training rides on the weekend as well as occasional bike tours when I get the time.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 12
From: Kent Wa.
Bikes: 2005 Gazelle Golfo, 1935 Raleigh Sport, 1970 Robin Hood sport, 1974 Schwinn Continental, 1984 Ross MTB/porteur, 2013 Flying Piegon path racer, 2014 Gazelle Toer Populair T8
An hour and ten to twenty minutes a day for my 16.8 mile round trip commute. Recreational time on the weekend can be anywhere between one and ten hours. A total average per week is probably around twelve hours.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 1
From: Washington DC Metro Area
Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, Jamis Renegade Expert
Takes me about 1hr 15 min to 1.5 hrs each way, depending on route choices and traffic conditions, esp. the timing of the lights. Before I started commuting by bike, my morning routine was exercise for about 35-45 min. then take the Metro to work (about 40-45 min. ride depending on timing of train transfer and unexpected events like a sick rider) . Thus the exercise routine + Metro ride would take about the same amount of time compared to riding my bike to work. I still like to do a strength training workout for my upper body and core 3x a week, so I commute on the "off days".
#12
This helps provide me some perspective. Thanks!
Ideally, I'll be pushing myself hard for a while because I need to loose some weight. After that's done and I'm just doing maintenance on the weight, I think I will feel a little less pressure to get everywhere by bike regardless of the weather, time involved, etc. But actually, so far, I've really enjoyed the long bikerides. I always appreciate having "space" for thinking in between other obligations.
Ideally, I'll be pushing myself hard for a while because I need to loose some weight. After that's done and I'm just doing maintenance on the weight, I think I will feel a little less pressure to get everywhere by bike regardless of the weather, time involved, etc. But actually, so far, I've really enjoyed the long bikerides. I always appreciate having "space" for thinking in between other obligations.
#13
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
1.5 hours currently. Next year it's looking like it's going to be about 3 hours a day. I'm only going in to work 3 days a week, telecommuting the other 2. At 1.5 hours a day I'd prefer to ride every day but I couldn't afford the time at 3 hours a day, and the deal was I had to start telecommuting now if I wanted to do it next year. I guess it won't be bad in the winter either.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#14
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,341
Likes: 3,529
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I get a lot of variation depending on whether I pick the quickest route, quickest bike, and how I feel. Best-case my ride in is <30 min and my ride home is <35. Typically it's more like 35 and 40 minutes. On a bad-feeling day or if I mountain bike it might take an hour home. Home takes longer because it's uphill and I typically don't feel as well in the afternoon as in the morning. You can check my numbers, I'm in the BF Commuter group on Strava.
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Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 07-27-15 at 01:16 PM.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 1
From: Washington DC Metro Area
Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, Jamis Renegade Expert
In my case, it helps that I enjoy riding a bike much more than taking the Metro, and even more than driving to work. Thus, commuting by bike doesn't feel like a chore or exercise routine at all.
When I first started, I read about various complaints/horror stories about bad behavior from other cyclists, motorists, bus drivers, etc. but they don't bother me as much as I thought they would - one exception being the bus that came up behind me fast and blaring its horn repeatedly. Even counting that last experience, I still much prefer commute by bike over the other two modes of transportation.
When I first started, I read about various complaints/horror stories about bad behavior from other cyclists, motorists, bus drivers, etc. but they don't bother me as much as I thought they would - one exception being the bus that came up behind me fast and blaring its horn repeatedly. Even counting that last experience, I still much prefer commute by bike over the other two modes of transportation.
#16
Senior Member


Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,721
Likes: 4,152
From: Berkeley, CA
Bikes: 72 Cilo Pacer, 72 Gitane GT, 72 Peugeot PX10, 73 Speedwell Ti,l, 75 Peugeot PR-10L, 80 Colnago Super, 81 Zinn, 85 ALAN Cross, 85 De Rosa Pro, 86 Look 753, 86 Look KG86, 89 Parkpre Team, 90 Parkpre Team MTB, 90 Merlin
2.5 hours seems like a lot to me.
My daily commute is about 25 minutes of saddle time each way (~7.5 miles) or about 30 minutes total dealing with locks, etc. (also have a kids trail-a-bike part of the way, which I lock up at my daughter's school on the way).
My daily commute is about 25 minutes of saddle time each way (~7.5 miles) or about 30 minutes total dealing with locks, etc. (also have a kids trail-a-bike part of the way, which I lock up at my daughter's school on the way).
#17
Some Guy on the Road
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 423
Likes: 2
From: 614
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot, Trek Domane
40-45 mins each way if I take the most direct route, depending on which lights I catch. I frequently extend the ride home to about 90 mins, would do longer but I have to pick up my son by a certain time or the sitter yells at me
#18
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 2,388
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
It takes me 40-45 to work and 45-50 from work on the bike. Driving takes 20 to 25 minutes each way so I'm spending an extra 45 minutes a day commuting on the bike but getting twice that time in exercise.
#20
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 2,506
From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
On most days it's around 40-60 minutes each way. My ride is shorter in the morning then in the afternoon. Less traffic in the morning allows me to run a lot of red lights and stops. In the afternoon I often run errands and do some grocery shopping on my way from work, it adds extra time to my commute. Many years ago before I became car-free I used to work at two different jobs. I would bike commute to one job then come home and drive my car to my other job.
#23
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 14
From: La La Land (We love it!)
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
My daily commute is about 7 miles round trip so at 15 minutes there and 20 - 25 minutes back I'm only in the saddle 30 - 40 minutes a day...
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Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
#24
2hrs each day I do the full commute, up to 3 days/week... but usually less.
in: 25 min to a meeting, 20 min to the bus station, 15 min to work
out: 15 min to bus station, 45 minutes home.
When I drive to the bus station, 30 min: 15 min to work, 15 min to bus station.
in: 25 min to a meeting, 20 min to the bus station, 15 min to work
out: 15 min to bus station, 45 minutes home.
When I drive to the bus station, 30 min: 15 min to work, 15 min to bus station.
#25
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 409
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
As little as 40 minutes round trip...or as much as 2-3 hours depending on how many miles I feel like riding before/after work.




