Thinking of commuting
 

Once a week i was thinking about commuting to school. I am probably going to have to build myself up to it. Right now i'm in the best shape of my life, so i would imagine it wouldn't take long. When i was a lot yonger i did a 40+ mile round trip one day and had no major problems, and at that time i wasn't in very good shape at all.

The trip from my house to campus would be a 17.5 mile trip one way with hills. The way home would be more difficult than the way there because there are more uphills i would have to climb. Of course, if there's bad weather then i wouldn't do it.

Any advice or tips you guys could share would be helpful. If you guys want, i could post a link to the route i would take.

Ride the route a couple of times to see how difficult it is and how long it takes. You might come up with a better route along the way.

The first time you do the commute leave a bit early because the traffic will be different than when you did your trial runs.

It'll get easier the more you do it, so don't be discouraged the first time you do it. It nearly killed me when I did a trial run of my commute for the first time because I picked a really bad route. That's why it's a good idea to try it out before the real thing happens.

1. There is a big differance with riding a 40+ mile ride with no additional weight than commuting to/from school/work with loaded saddle bags, panniers or a back pack.

2. There is a big differance with riding a 40+ mile ride after a full nights sleep than with commuting to/from school/work after only a few hours sleep. Remember you still have to haul the loaded saddle bags, panniers or a back pack.

3. There is a big differance with riding a 40+ mile ride after being fully rested for it than commuting home after a long tireing day or school/work. Remember you still have to haul the loaded loaded saddle bags, panniers or a back pack.

I was the same way you are when I started commuting back when I was in college. I found out the hard way just how humbling it was and how much commuting kicked my ass at first. It is a lot differant then jsut going out and pounding out a 40 mile bike ride.

I am not trying to discourage you jsut giving you advice on what my experience was like when I first started commuting.

And when you get your ass absolutely handed to you by the commute that day, but you finished it anyway, you'll feel like you're on top of the world.

I just started doing the commuting on a bike last week, and am 47 years old and not in good shape. The ride there and back was 18.4 miles, and I was able to do the trip there in 50 minutes @ 9.2 miles. When I got back to my home I was very tired to say the least. Riding here in China might be a tad different than where you might be riding. Just after 5 days of this I am doing ok, and my legs are feeling better and better with each ride. With you being in the best shape of your life, this commute should be a breeze for you.

I'm in a fairly similar situation as well. with a 13-15m commute each way.

I started small. The first couple of times I drove halfway and rode the rest. Then I gradually built up to riding the whole way.

I only try it every other day, giving myself a day to rest. this turns out to be really important.

would be great to see your route! I'm in the Boston area.

My advice is:

- make sure your bike fits nicely
- make sure you have your repair kit
- don't think about it too much and just go for it :D

I do a 35-mile round trip commute 2-3 times a week. I worked up to the total distance over a couple of months by driving part way and riding the rest. Now, I have no problems with the total distance. The only problems are the limited winter daylight and coping with the traffic. Good riding!

When you get older it takes longer for the body to recover. You mention you are in the best shape of your life, but what does that mean? The best cycling shape. The best cardiovascular shape. The best muscular shape, etc. You use different muscles cycling than you do if you just go to the gym. How exactly are you taxing yourself Do you do HIIT, Linear Periodization, Non-Linear Periodization or something else?

I'm not trying to dissuade you in anyway. I consider myself in good shape, but i'm not ready to run a marathon. My commute is only 3 miles each way and i've been doing it for about 2 years. I'm not sure if i am ready to tackle a 20 mile roundtrip coummute however. Go out and ride the route a few times to see how you feel. If no problems than good luck and continue commuting.

No matter how much you plan and over-think taking the plunge, things will get better faster. Jump on and go.

Here's a few links. Lots more at the last one.

http://austinbikeblog.org/?page_id=352

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-New-Commuters

http://www.bikecommuters.com/

http://bikecommutetips.blogspot.com/

http://www.dmoz.org/Sports/Cycling/C..._and_Advocacy/

Thanks a lot for all the feedback guys.


Great information for sure. I'll definitely have to build myself up to this.


Granted i couldn't go out and run a marathon, but i said i was in the best shape of my life for a few different reasons.

Really the first bicycle ride i did was in Oct of last year to the next town over to buy some things on a mountain bike. Maybe not the smartest thing to do after not bicycling for many years, but i was determined. The way there was no problem because it was pretty much all downhill. On the way back home the total climb is about 330 ft with the hardest part being a 200 ft climb for about 1800 ft. I figured it out to be 11.1% grade average. Needless to say it kicked my butt, but i made it the whole way riding. A few years ago i would have never made it up the hill without having to get off and walk. Every Sunday i do that climb now and it's getting easier.

I usually go to the gym 4 times a week rotating between a HITT program and a normal workout routine every other week. I also got out of the military in May after serving for 5 1/2 years, which is really no huge thing because now i am stronger and have a lot more endurance than when i was in.


This is the route that i was planning to take:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,0.307961&z=12

I have the luxury of living too close to work, and can therefore make my route as long or as short as I like. I have loops up to 20 miles and find the 17 mile loop is just about right. In the nicer weather, I like to do the long loop a few times a week.

Is there a way you can combine your trip between bike and transit? That way if you get an unexpected problem, or if you want to work up to the whole distance, are tired for the whole ride home, or unexpected crappy weather rolls in, then you have options!

Only advice is to leave lots of time, so you aren't rushed, and if you got a flat you could change it without making you late.

From my ltd experience, you will certainly refine your commuting route and riding style leading to dropping in commute times. Towards the end of my commuting season (yes, I'm a weeny that doesn't like cold) I dropped about 15mins off a 10 mile one-way commute compared to when I first started commuting. Due to better shape, experience, route changes etc....
Don't let the first few rides deter you. As some have said, have a few trial rides. That way you will avoid any "gotcha" moments. I know, it happened to me. :(

I find the most difficult thing about commuting is not so much the distance, but doing that distance everyday. The total distance, on paper, may seem reasonable. I find that after a bad/long day, the thought of having to ride ALL the way home seems overwhelming.

Since you are thinking about only riding once a week, why not minimize your rig weight and take any clothes/toiletry items you need for your commute via car the day before, then bike with a small bag (I like trunk bags) with a jacket, stuff to change a tire, and a few snacks. You'll be prepared and have a faster commute (which is encouraging).

show us da map :-)

http://go.bikeforums.net/?id=42X1295...07961%26z%3D12. Not sure how to make it where there's an actual map on the screen and not just a link.


I would really like to combine the trips at least to start, but i'm not sure of a place where i could park my car for about 6 hours where it would be safe and there be no problems.

The first time i do it i would probably leave about 2 hours before my class starts.

That definitely sounds like a great idea :thumb:

looks like a long stretch on route 20
route 20 near me is a "kill zone" (sudbury, ma)
I sure hope your section is wider and more forgiving

definitely stash food and clothes at work. the only things I carry are tubes; patch kits; tools; top base layer for the ride home and a fresh towel (small)

I don't know this specific area, but have enough MA and New England time that I have a hunch 20 is your best bet. From a glance at the map, I first thought something more residential / country clubby like Monson Rd would do. But Google voyeurism confirms that is a little two lane shoulderless road that I bet people rocket down. At least you have a shoulder on 20.

You might want to try a test run on Saturday or Sunday to confirm the route, scan for potential trouble spots on a day when there is little traffic and you are not pressed for time, and get a sense of timing. I'm sure you know it in a car, but it is different on bike. That way when you dive in on your first commute day, you have a little less uncertainty.

Bon voyage.

One day a week? Piece of cake. Riding that distance every day would be tough. My round-trip commute is about 22 miles, and I ride 3-5 days/week depending on the weather and my work schedule. I was in good shape and riding a lot recreationally when I started bike commuting, but riding to work day after day was tougher than I expected. Here are some tips based on my experience:
- Start out riding 1-2 days/week to see how it works out and build up to more days.
- Research your route carefully so you are taking the safest roads, not necessarily the shortest or fastest.
- Make provisions to carry your gear in a large seat bag or rack bag rather than on your body (eg backpack).
- Good some good front and rear lighting.
- Don't feel guilty about driving when the weather is lousy.
- Get some good cycling clothes -- in bright colors -- that you can layer.
- Use SPDs or other style of mtn bike pedals rather than road pedals, which are harder to clip and out of in traffic.
- Just do it. You'll figure out what works for you with experience.

+1 for a test run on a Sunday morning. not too early though like before sunrise cuz you'll have the up-all-night-still-intoxicated-drunk-drivers swirving home from a Saturday night of partying. I love Sunday mornings for test commutes.

I remember my first test ride on an old used steel road bike a couple summers ago (a step up from the used MTB I had been using). I couldn't make it the whole 17 mile way cuz I heard one of the tires popping threads! I was lucky to get home before the tube bulged too far through the sidewall.

BTW - using google terrain - it looks pretty level going through those valleys.

Definitely take a test ride, like others have said. Also, using Google Maps and Google Street View can be invaluable for figuring out routes. You can check out things like shoulder width and road traffic in advance and look at alternate routes if you see something you're not comfortable with. If you're using bike paths you can often track them visually on the satellite view and use Street View to check out road crossings in advance so you know what to expect.

I'm definitely plan to take a test ride Sunday morning. The great news is i talked to my sister last night and she begins and ends classes the exact same time i do on M, W, F. I was also thinking about maybe the first week riding there and catching a ride with her back, and the next week catching a ride with her there and riding back. I'm sure after this i'd be good to tackle the whole trip. A good thing with us having the same times is if bad weather sneaks up or something else where i couldn't ride in the afternoon i could just catch a ride with her.


The part from Palmer to Springfield on 20 is nice with a wide shoulder. I definitely know about the areas you're talking about, especially heading east from Palmer on 20. It starts getting nasty around Sturbridge area for sure.


You are exactly right about the lack of a shoulder and people flying on Monson Rd especially on the hills and turns. I don't even like driving my car on that road, let alone attempting to bike it.