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X2 distance to go home today... doable?

Old 09-23-09, 12:44 PM
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X2 distance to go home today... doable?

Hello, my normal commute from office to my pick-up destination is about 15km which i can complete in about 30-35mins. Well today due to unforeseen circumstances, I have to ride ~35km to reach my home. It is bit twice the distance I ride for one-way. Just wondering would this be dangerous due to the sudden increase of range? For one thing, I only carry one bottle of water that I can drain up during my regular ride. So I am concern with it. Any other tips for such a ride home on a mid-20C afternoon on rush hour traffic?
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Old 09-23-09, 12:49 PM
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Dangerous? I doubt it.

Uncomfortable? Maybe. Do you ever do any 35km rides on weekends or is this going to be a new personal record?

As far as water goes, you could try to find a store and buy a 1L bottle of water to stash in your jersey or pack. It's not as convenient as carrying a bottle on your bike, but it's doable.
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Old 09-23-09, 12:51 PM
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You'll be fine.

HTFU /roadforum
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Old 09-23-09, 12:54 PM
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If you ride 15 km one way regularly, 35 should be no problem.

One bottle of water would be plenty for me on a 35k ride at that temperature. I often take 15-20 km one-way routes to work and never bring a bottle.

If you're at all concerned, pick up a bottle of water at a gas station somewhere along the way, and ease up a tiny bit on the pace.
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Old 09-23-09, 12:58 PM
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And 20C? Shoot, I'm just taking off my armwarmers at that temperature!
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Old 09-23-09, 01:22 PM
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My one-way commute is 35km. If the temperature is below 25C, I usually don't even touch the water bottle. Just drink half a liter before starting out and another half-liter when you get home and you'll feel fine.
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Old 09-23-09, 01:33 PM
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Originally Posted by wunderkind
Hello, my normal commute from office to my pick-up destination is about 15km which i can complete in about 30-35mins. Well today due to unforeseen circumstances, I have to ride ~35km to reach my home. It is bit twice the distance I ride for one-way. Just wondering would this be dangerous due to the sudden increase of range? For one thing, I only carry one bottle of water that I can drain up during my regular ride. So I am concern with it. Any other tips for such a ride home on a mid-20C afternoon on rush hour traffic?
It's still a short distance.

Carry two water bottles? Fill your one bottle up somewhere?

If you are regularly riding 15km in 30-35 minutes, you won't have any problems doing double the distance.

Assume it will take more than double the time (it might not) and have fun.

Last edited by njkayaker; 09-23-09 at 01:36 PM.
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Old 09-23-09, 01:38 PM
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Don't wear cotton briefs and you'll be fine, otherwise butt-chafing.
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Old 09-23-09, 01:55 PM
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Thanks for the replies. My co-worker thinks I am crazy. That may be true, but I think it is the sense of adventure opportunity to try it. I've not done it before. Sure, I've ridden that distance leisurely on weekends. But as part of a commute... nope.
My office has a cafeteria where I'll likely pick up a 1L btl of water. While I am familiar with the route home via driving, cycling is a bit different.
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Old 09-23-09, 02:32 PM
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That's the spirit!
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Old 09-23-09, 02:40 PM
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You'll do fine. With your extra water to resupply your water bottle you are set. The weather is mild and the distance won't be too bad, though you've earned a free doughnut for the extra exertion.

Just watch out for the drivers. They are all madly trying to get home.
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Old 09-23-09, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by wunderkind
Thanks for the replies. My co-worker thinks I am crazy. That may be true, but I think it is the sense of adventure opportunity to try it. I've not done it before. Sure, I've ridden that distance leisurely on weekends. But as part of a commute... nope.
So who's saying you can't ride at a leisurely pace today? Do the hounds of hell chase you on your commute or something? Take your time and you'll be fine.
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Old 09-23-09, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by wunderkind
Thanks for the replies. My co-worker thinks I am crazy. That may be true, but I think it is the sense of adventure opportunity to try it. I've not done it before. Sure, I've ridden that distance leisurely on weekends. But as part of a commute... nope.
My office has a cafeteria where I'll likely pick up a 1L btl of water. While I am familiar with the route home via driving, cycling is a bit different.
Well, you can't do much about that.
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Old 09-23-09, 09:34 PM
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I did it!!! I did it!!!
The distance wasn't a big deal as I first thought it might be.! It's to me an accomplishment more so than the leisure rides of the same distance. Maybe it's to do with the fact that I was commuting. Sure I could've put the bike on transit or simply hitch a ride with a co-worker, but I Doggamit! It feels goooooodddd!
I did end up buying a bottle of water from my cafeteria as a back-up so that I don't have to hunt for a convenient store or gas station.
I think with some detours which I took, it is a bit more than 35km. I was actually a bit sad when I was arriving my neighbourhood. It took about 1.5hrs with a 5min "bottle change" break. Also I paced myself instead of regular banzai mode because I wanna make sure I don't bonk out part way through.
There were 2 scary moments:
- Had to share a fast moving road with cars and trucks that travel at over 100km/h! I learn very quickly that an 18-wheeler can generate some pretty strong drafts.
- Navigating through a bridge under construction. It was a bit chaotic. However a roadie overtook me and I promptly followed him. Also the bridge railings sure looked low!

All in all, sure glad I did it even though it's only ~35km.

Last edited by wunderkind; 09-23-09 at 09:53 PM.
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