I finish work at 3pm. I have a meeting across town roughly 16km away at 4. I have been off the bike since mid december. Im primed and ready to go, I just don't know if I can complete the trip in an hours time and have a few minutes to towel dry myself and put on a new shirt.

The distance is roughly 16km - part bike lanes, MUP, secondary roads - mainly cars no trucks.

I would imagine I can maintain a speed of about 20-25km/hr.

Is it do-able? Or should I just drive it and re-start my commute the following day?

16km - 20-25km/hr = 10mi - 13/14mphr


map of area

The quicker route would be to just continue north on Kennedy instead of doing that loop on the side of the sidewalk and then going around in a circle before getting to my distination..that being said the longer route is the safe one ( bike paths/lanes etc)

Depending on wind it is doable, I do 16km-17km in around 45-55 mins with a few hills thrown in a similar mix of roads, MUP's etc. That would give you 10mins to get changed/freshen up.

I can do my 10 mile commute in about an hour without hurrying too much.

A lot of it's down to the route, I can knock a km off going one way and it cuts off a whole 10mins in the time as the route is direct and flat. Also it helps if you are familiar with the route, nothing holds you up more than having to check the map every few km.

I have a 9 mile sprint to the bus stop, I can do it in 40 minutes without fail. The next bus comes after a 30 minutes delay, so I'm motivated!

Being off the bike since mid december, i don't think you'll be able to hold 25km/h for an hour. I think you'll get there late. Factor in waiting at stops, lights etc. And the route you've chosen seems all over the place. For reference i was doing my 20km commute from school in 40 -50 mins tops, so you might be able to do it who knows. It's a good day for riding though.

If you know you have to do it in an hour, you'll be able too. Because the whole way there you'll be knowing that there is a small timeframe and you'll hammer like crazy rather than coasting and relaxing.

If I needed to cut it close to make a meeting by bicycle, some of my questions would be (assuming it is doable):

How presentable must I be?
Do others there know I am a cyclist (or must I explain myself)?
How important is the meeting (what if I am late)?
Do I know where I'm going when I get there?
Is there a secure place I can put my bike?

1. casual...anything really
2. they are al strangers to me
3. Im new to the position and there are only 4 meetings a year, so yeah i have to be there
4. It is a small building, can't be that hard
5. not really. Im just going to lean it up against the wall outside the meeting room


Im thinking its probably better to just drive...that part of town is not the frienfliest to cyclists

Being it's strangers, you probably don't want to take the chance of a bad impression.
It's only 3 months for your next chance, with a better probability to "impress" them with your cycling skills.

Ive done a 11mile commute to go to the mall in 44minutes on my MTB but ive been swimming alot lately so im in better shape than you probly. I say you could make it if you bike is a road/ hybrid if its a cruiser/mtb then you probly wont make it.

Tomorrow will be a pleasant day for riding in toronto though, wednesday it gets nasty again. I say do it while the weather is nice. Right now the roads are dry and clear.

How quick can you change a flat if you get one?

lol

and nice avatar 10 wheels you got that in "full screen"?

I didn't know there's another Kennedy Rd in Mississauga. This confused me completely.

Anyway. 16km in one hour is pretty safe. Do it.

You're too new to the job and people to risk getting there all sweaty, winded, and endorphin rushing. As much as I hate to endorse it, I'd say take the car this time.

I'm not very fast (actually, I'm pretty slow) and I can do a fairly flat 15 km in about 45 minutes. I'd guess if you're in halfway decent shape you could easily do 16 km in less than an hour and as long as you don't end the run to work going up hill, you won't be too sweaty.

I'd say go for it. You only have to manage 16-17 kph to to get there in an hour.

Totally doable if you have your will and your ready. This is only riding like 12 miles /hr for just 1 hour. You'll probably find you'll find a better route and make it there in about 40 minutes and still have time.

+1

Good point. You getting there and find three bikes leaned up against the wall outside the conference room, and you came by car, will definitely not make a good impression.

Ride the bike, you'll be fine. Just make sure you get a good dinner the night before.

Well folks I have decided to drive. I thought about it long and hard and elected to use the internal combustion engine for a few reasons.

1. Time/Distance is unkown
2. These are not the safest roads around, in fact they are quite dangerous
3. I want to meet up with some buddies later on in the evening and im just not going to get home a decent hour if I take the bike
4. Im going to be zonked by 8'ish.


So i'll drive it and start my commuting thurs/friday as tomorrow (wed) will be nasty. Old man winter is taking another strike at us!!!

My usual 13 mile commute takes me 45-50 minutes. You shouldn't have any problems...


*disclaimer*
..assuming you're in similar shape as me, which isn't the best, but isn't bad either.

edit: I see you wussed out.. nevermind..

*disclaimer 2* j/k about the wuss part

I know you've decided to drive, but you might try biking some day when you have a little extra time, just to see how it works out.

Good luck either way.

I'd say try, but if the destination is important - job > riding really.

I've found in these situations "finishing at 3, meeting at 4" I'll often not actually leave until say 3:10 (dress-up/washroom/saying bye/whatever) and that can certainly make an impact on things.

The distance/time alone ought to be acheivable, despite your roundabout route (if you feel safer that way, don't change it - I personally would just take Kennedy Rd. south)

Can you not get over to Tomken Rd. where you come close to the highways (403/411?) then drop south to that looping road?

Either way, it's 2 days past OP date, so I figure you've done the journey already

You can do it. Tape the map to your handlebars, with target times marked for the turnings. If you are behind schedule you can take short cuts, like across Bristol from Kennedy to Hurontario, also straight up Hurontario. I dont think those roads are dangerous - there is plenty of room for fast cars to get past you. Plenty of caution is needed at the 401 on/off ramps, but this will only delay you a few seconds.

The route seems pretty roundabout - a more direct route gives more just-in-case time (flat tire etc.)

If you take the minor streets up to Kennedy, and use Kennedy to cross the 403 - it appears to not have on/off ramps there, you can then turn at the next street and so you aren't on that road very long. (and could use sidewalk if uncomfortable between the two intersections)

I would probably also take Matheson up/under the 401/403 to be more direct as well.