I've effectively just graduated from junior college (the local equivalent of the last two years of American high school), and am in the process of getting a teaching job before I head off for college. I'm thinking of trying a commute by bike, but the thing is, from where I live to the school I intend to teach at, by arterial non-highway roads (bikes not allowed on highways), I estimate a commute of around 40 km (25 miles), and what I have is a fully rigid mountain bike with less than ideal geometry for my frame (at the moment, I'm still adjusting it, but I think it'll wind up being too small even in the optimal setup). I'm also not a particularly fit or skilled rider (partly why I'm considering the commute), so I'm not too sure if I'm biting off way more than I can chew here.

I suppose what I want is opinions on whether 25 miles is too much for someone who has never ridden that distance regularly, without first easing into the distance - say by cycling to a train station and locking up the bike there, then progressing to the next train station as the weeks go by and my fitness increases - firsthand experiences would be especially useful. At some point I'll probably get a road bike because I suspect my current frame is too small and the MTB too slow for a commute that's mostly on road, but for now I'll have to stick with the MTB. I know the answer should be "get out there and see if you can cover that distance comfortably" and I'll definitely get out there and survey the route sometime in the next couple of weeks, but in the meantime... am I absolutely crazy and out of my mind?

Edit:
Oh, I forgot to mention the other half of the craziness - it's 25 miles each way, and yes, I'll have to cycle home, too.

Does the train allow you to take a bike? If so, you could start by taking the train to work and riding home.

Kev

No, you're not crazy and out of your mind. But I recommend you have a backup plan. If you take a train, bus or car a couple days a week and bike the rest, you'll be able to learn how feasible it is for you to get used to biking every day.

Being able to go that distance obviously depends partly on how physically fit you are. Aside from that, it makes a difference how hilly and windy your area is, and whether you're careful to avoid dehydration, get enough sleep, and to eat healthy food.

I felt like my hilly 17 mile one-way commute was too much of a challenge for me so I bought an electric bicycle motor kit from taiwan (and battery from china) to make it easier. Depending on your budget and other circumstances, a regular bike or an electric bike might be much more feasible than the alternatives.

Rigid mountain bikes also have a number of advantages for commuters. If you ride on bumpy pavement, their wider tires will help cushion you. Slick tires (or knobbies) are available which have thick enough tread to completely prevent flats from small pieces of glass and wire.

They also convert easily to electric bikes.

Regular MTB handlebars aren't very good for long on-road rides in terms of comfort or aerodynamics, so that's why I don't use MTB handlebars on my MTB.

Thanks for the quick replies! Popped in just to check before I went to bed, and whoa... two replies

It does, but folding bikes only. I might get one sometime in the future or the next few months even, but I don't currently have access to one now. On the other hand, it's pretty safe to lock up a bike for extended periods of time in this city (and my bike is cheap), so I'm thinking of biking halfway, which will mostly be on straight, flat roads, locking up, and taking the train, at least until I feel confident enough to go further.

Yup, the route I'm intending to try out sticks pretty close to train routes (if I count correctly, 14 train stops along the way at pretty regular intervals!) so that's my backup. Why don't I just take the train if I'm going to follow its route - because I'm no longer on student concession, so round trips cost $4 each way per day, and because I simply want to get fitter.

It's not too bad, pretty much flat all the way, a little bit of rolling terrain. I'll be careful to keep myself in order when I start commuting, of course.

For some reason, I need a motorbike license to ride an electric bike, and electric bikes cannot go over 25 km/h. It's pretty lame. I'm thinking of getting a road or folding bike, though.

I'm thinking of adding bar ends, though then my bar-end mirror would have to go, and I'd need some other handle-bar mounted mirror. Hmm...

I went from zero to 46 miles round trip. The first day I hit the wall about mile 43, had to have the wife pick me up. It didn't help that I just pulled the 15 year old MTB out of the garage (that I hadn't ridden in 10 years) with huge 2+ inch tires on them and completely out of tune.

Took me about five days to recover from that first trip. Got some 1.5" slicks, got the bike tuned and the second trip was a piece of cake.

Now I have a road bike and my commute is now 26 miles instead of 46 and I'm actually in better shape so it's a piece of cake.

So it's possible, just make sure you have the right gear (especially the tires), which makes all the difference.

Is your commute 25 miles round-trip or one way?

25 miles round-trip = 12.5 miles each way is reasonable.

If you are talking 25 miles one-way, that is a long way, even for a seasoned bicycle commuter. It would surely put you in the upper 5% of distance commuters.

The answer, of course, is that you obviously have to ride it a few times before you commit to it.

Do you have any escape plan? That is, as a teacher, you absolutely cannot be late or miss class. So, if your bike breaks down along the way, what is your rocket method to get you to school on time?

Bikes are reliable for the most part, but they do fail more often than automobiles. For example, flat tires happen to bicyclists at least ten times more often than with cars. For this reason, you will have to leave a lot earlier than normal not only for the commute, but also to make room for a mechanical failure if/when it happens.

Is it a single fare on the train regardless of distance , or will you pay a reduced fare if you take the train for a reduced distance? Thinner slick tires, bar-ends and a rack where you can carry books will make the ride easier. Glasses or helmet mounted mirrors are more effective than bar mounted ones.

Try the MRT station rides first, it's a good way to ease into the commute. And if you want to extend the distance, you can cycle to the further station.

Just make sure you lock up properly because safe as we are in Singapore, even crappy bikes get stolen.

Mtb is fine for commuting. I ride one everywhere. Just change the knobbies to slicks and you'll be fine. I wouldn't worry about geometry at this stage. The hardest part about commuting (aside from the need to get fitter for longer distances) is actually getting into the routine of it. The first week of dragging myself out of bed to ride was the hardest haha!

Also find out if your school has showers. In our humid hot weather, even 15 minutes of riding will drench you in sweat.

Look into combining cycling with mass transit. That's what I do, and my commute is only 30 miles round-trip, not 50.

Reduced fare for reduced distance, once I'm off the concession, so commuting half the distance and getting on the train the other half is a pretty good in-between solution. Bar ends are on my Christmas shopping list, as is a good helmet and helmet mirror.

Good to see you, mrbrown! Yep, the school should have showers (JC campus) so I'm not too worried. I'll probably spend a good part of the next two weeks figuring out how much I can cycle for how long - if I get out of bed

Dont stint on good commuter tyres, get ones with the best puncture protection you can find. If you stick with your MTB, then a high pressure 1.25 to 1.5" slick is ideal. If you decide to go with a 700c road bike, then make sure it has clearance for something practical like a 28mm width.
There is some pretty std commuter advice: carry a spare inner+tools, let the bike carry your luggage. If you ride in the wet use fenders and in the dark, use lights. Wear helmet and gloves in case of a spill and some predal retension (clipless or toe-clips) will add efficiency on a longer ride.

I will say: if it were me...

I would work up to the mileage first before making the trip. Unless the locking up and taking the train is a good option for you.

For that distance, I would seriously look at a road bike over a mountain bike. I dream many days of riding my racing bike instead of my mountain bike the 10 miles to work. Mostly just for time savings. I know, not a HUGE difference, but it sounds nice sometimes.

The back-up plan is a good thing to have, whether it is someone you can call to bail you out, the train, a cab, anything for "just in case".

Michael mentioned tools: new tube, patch kit, something to get the tire off the rim, and a pump. I carry co2 on my road bike, but a pump on my mtn bike. I have used the pump 3 times on one (ok, two at one time, but didn't know it) flat. First to try pumping up a seemingly slow leak, then two more to fix the two flats. That would be alot of co2 cartridges.

When I looked at starting to commute, I rode in on a weekend to see how long it took, and to try to find routes.

You will have to consider what you are going to carry your stuff in too. Backpack, paniers, ??...

That's a start anyway... Good luck!

Thanks for all the comments! I've weighed my options, and gone on a couple of rides - not the full distance, but part of the way down the route until the park connector (MUP network that well, connects parks) mysteriously disappeared - probably not more than 20% of the route. At cruising speed this ride took an hour, and for some bizarre reason it goes through gravel for a few hundred metres - and yes, it's supposed to be a bike route... any wonder why so many people ride MTBs instead of roadies (besides the cost)?

All things considered, I'm probably not ready for this commute, so what I'll probably do instead is move in with my aunt and grandma, and the commute distance is magically cut to 2 miles. It'll also take me nearer to my temp job in the meantime. When I've gotten the hang of rolling out of bed onto the bike saddle, and of cycling in traffic etc., I'll start negotiating the long distances.

I think one reason for MTB instead of road bikes is because of the comfort factor. Also, bad terrain isn't a roadblock either.

Good luck! I hope to visit Singapore again sometime and bring a bike with me...