Hi all!

I'm not new to bike riding (last time I seriously rode was in elemenatry school), but I am new to commuting long distances. I work approximately 20km highway driving, and it may be a little longer by using local trails. Just wanted to ask some people here with experience if this is too far for a begginer. I am pretty athletic. 5' 7" 160lbs. But I'm taking up the sport too lose a little weight. I just purchased a Specialized Sirrus Pro Disc. Thanks!

At 20km each way, you won't be a beginner for long.

Only you know how much you can handle. Start out doing it two or three days a week, or whatever you feel comfortable with. As you build up fitness, which shouldn't take long, start increasing it. Don't try to go all out from the get go. It's better to take a couple of days off, than to get burned out and give up.

The best thing to do is go for a weekend ride at those distances and just see how you handle it. It's better to find out then, rather than when your success or failure will determine whether you get to work on time. It's also a good opportunity to check out other aspects of your commute, such as how long you can expect to lose to traffic lights and so on.

Without knowing how old you are, elementary school could have been last year or 50 years ago. If you are not conditioned to riding and to sitting on a saddle, 20+km each way is likely to be brutal. Not impossible, but certainly not fun.

I'd strongly suggest you start out with rides more in the 10-15KM total, range for a week or two until your bum conforms to the seat. You don't want to get to work and realize you just can't face the thought of riding home.

Paul

Sorry, I'm 26.

These are really good suggestions. I would have made my first long comute to work without realising if I could do it comfortably or not. Thanks.

Don't get to depressed if the distance seems impossible/exhausting at first, it's surprising how fast your body will adjust(and how enjoyable riding becomes).
All the best.

I'd suggest trying the route on a weekend. Just ride in and back -- take your time. See how it feels, how long it takes, and what routes are best. Don't try to ride fast -- at about 20 kph, for example, you are working about as hard as you would if walking at a normal pace. It is easy keep that up for the required 30 - 45 minutes.

Another thought -- if you have a bike rack on your car, you could alternate -- rideing one way, then driving the other.

Paul