Differences in commutes!
 

So I'm starting to like my commute to-from work out here in Seattle, it's been a major challenge/workout compared to my work commute in fairbanks. Went from 1.9 miles each way to 15 miles each way (and hills now! So many hills! ) plus an extra 2 miles one way to visit my wife in the hospital. 136 miles last week on my newest acquisition, my Charge Plug Sora. I'm glad I got a competent drop bar bike for this, riding an upright that far was slightly uncomfortable.

(Sorry guys, felt like I had to share)

Two summers ago I started a commute that was about 14-15 miles each way with some long hills on country roads. I wasn't used to that much riding every day, and the first week was torture. Didn't know if I would last. But by the end of summer I was in as good a shape as I'd been in since I was in high school. I got a lot of help from the commuter forum guys here. They moved me from a backpack to a rack and panniers, which made all the difference. Sweating up those hills with a full-sized laptop and a change of clothes in my backpack, usually against a side-wind that treated the pack like a sail - that was some rough going. Also I learned that adding a mile or two to the trip in order to avoid nasty traffic was well worth it. And not to be in a hurry - find a route with pleasant scenery, play some nice music or listen to a good book, and enjoy the ride.

Hey,, congrats. The added mileage will keep you healthy and happy!

Fifteen hilly miles is pretty a pretty hefty commute done twice a day, every day. I, myself, could probably manage to do it 3-4 times out of the week, but to do it everyday might wear me down quickly. I suppose if you're in relatively good aerobic condition, give yourself plenty of time so that you can cruise if you need to, and have a comfortable enough bike, it'll be fine, and you'll be getting two+ hours of exercise every single day.

My ride is 12 miles one way. I do it 5/5 days a week most weeks, but the ride is easy. Mostly flat. Good back roads and trails. Very little traffic on the outward ride and quite tolerable on the inward one.

For me, I took breaks when I needed them. Some weeks I'd bike all five days, some weeks just three. I also found a public park where I could leave my pickup truck halfway, and some days I'd drive halfway and ride halfway. The thing that got me worst was it was summertime in Texas, and it was one of those summers when we had 100 degree heat for nearly 90-straight days. The afternoon rides home were absolutely brutal until I got physically accustomed to it.

There ARE members of this forum who ride more than 15 miles each way nearly every day though. Some of our commuting forum members are serious athletes, and some of them look for longer rides to add to their daily mileage.

No doubt. If you take a look at the commuting mileage thread and do some quick math you quickly realize that these guys are doing lonnng commutes. But even as a 'serious' athlete you wouldn't train hard every day, nor would you want to even train every day. But like I said, if you can afford the time then the distance isn't really an issue.

We don't have Texas heat here, but we do have some Canadian cold. I don't know which is worse, but some weeks in January and February I'd have gladly traded some of that cold for the dry heat.

Is a Charge Plug Sora an electric bike? If not, what's with the name?

About three weeks from now, I'll be wanting to take you up on that offer! Fortunately, my daily commute is down to a manageable 7 miles, although my wife usually throws a few extras in for Costco and grocery trips.

Apparently Charge is the maker, Plug is the bike, and Sora is the Shimano gears. And it's a Performance Bike exclusive. Charge Plug Sora - 2015 - Performance Exclusive

Actually looks pretty darned nifty for the price.

Here's mine...Love it!
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=525840

right on! ride on!