"Don't be silly. Anyone can do 13 miles. How long it takes varies with leg muscles, but even a couch potato should be able to move the distance."


There's a difference between legs being able to do it and butt being able to do it. Also, 13 miles is farther than you think for the "average american" or "couch potato" Plus, it's not 13 miles they're doing, it's 2 13 mile trips in 1 day.

Having previously been a cyclist, and then having been a couch potato for 10 years, I know what rehabbing is like even if you USED to have the legs. I could NOT have ridden 13 miles on my first time out on the bike again, at least not without deciding cycling was not going to be my thing. The mind is willing, but the butt is weak. Non-cyclists are NOT used to sitting on the saddle for 90 minutes at a time, and likely won't want any part of the ride back if it's that distance the first time out.


Training rides either as a group, or individually are highly recommended IMO

I would say do a very early training ride, like this weekend, even if it's only half the distance (i.e., halfway there, then turnaround, to cover about 13 miles). Unless there are some stout hills, they should make it. But have SAG support. Then encourage them to get out and ride on their own.

I volunteered to be a guide for people during bike to work week, but I don't think I'll get any takers again this year.

Thirteen miles in street clothing would be something that would make me tired. Not sure how that works exactly.

Have a backup plan such as spare change in case one need to take the bus because of breakdown. Also consider some kind of first aid kit just in case one take a fall but otherwise, knock on wood......

Thanks Everyone for your comments and suggestions -

I think I will do a training ride with them.

I never really thought about 13 (or 26) miles as being a long way because when I started commuting, I just did it, as slow as it might have been. I may just bring in my van on Thursday, ride home and have it at the office for Friday's ride home; just in case they cant make the return trip.

how is the commute? Is it very hilly?

Come on. 13 miles in an hour and a half? 8.6 miles per hour?

• My friend's 68 year old Grandmother with Lupus can average 10 MPH for a 3 hour ride.
• My daughter did 17 miles in an hour and 10 minutes on a sidewalk bike when she was 5.

If his co-workers can't average 8.6 over 13 miles, they don't have the strength to sit upright and feed themselves, let alone go to work.

This is great. I'm actually doing the same thing. I have two takers at the moment (unless they back out) and hope to get a couple more. We're probably going to do a weekend ride first so they know what to expect and so I can gauge their skill (and traffic fear) level. I plan to give them some tips for riding in traffic, explain that it's actually safer to ride in the lane as opposed to the gutter, etc.

As far as the 13 miles comments. That's definitely NOT too far IMO. That's how far I rode on my first commute. That was after having not ridden for years and being way out of shape, also with nobody showing me the ropes. I had to figure out traversing los angeles traffic by myself. Yes it was hard. It took an extra 45 minutes compared to now (after 2.5 years on a road bike), and when I got to work, I was beat.. but it was the greatest feeling. That was on a Sears Huffy mountain bike too.

completely disagree. i was completely inactive for almost 2 years besides the occasional walk to a friends house. without having been on a bike since i was a kid i was suddenly on a 22-25 mile ride. by the last 1/4 mile i was moving maybe 6 mph (you know, the home stretch effect), but i still did it.

if i were alone i would've given up probably before the half way point, but just being with a group of people keeps you going.

my ass was sore for days though.