By long distance, I mean 20 or more miles in one direction (not round trip). I know there are few around, so let me pick your brains:

1. How many times per week do you ride into/from work?
2. Were you a recreational rider before you started commuting?
3. How long did it take you to complete the entire distance under your own power?
4. After your trial and error period, what ended up being your equipment?

My total commute is 26 miles each way, but the first and last 11 miles are by car. Does that count?

Uh, no.

On a side note, I'm envious of your Troll. If you had to do it over again, would you have still gone with the Troll or opted for the Ogre?

My current commute is not that distance. However, I have done as much as a 36 mile each way commute. For that commute:

#1- 3-4 times a week. Sometimes less. Never more than 4. 3 days was doable but still tough. The job I had for the 36 mile commute was loading trucks- physical work combined with the bike rides was grueling- I felt like I could never eat or sleep enough to catch up at times. I've done commutes of 21 miles each way when I worked in bike shops usually 3-4 times a week. It was a flat manageable ride but I always left at the last minute and would end up doing it at race pace the whole way- again exhausting and would arrive a sweaty mess. It takes a lot planning to do it right. Most recently I've done short summer stints of long commutes of about a 19 mile commute each way with a lot of climbing. 3 days a week was my max for that because my job is demanding both physically and mentally and hard to balance that much riding with long work days.

#2- Recreational rider? Yeah, in a way. I just rode everywhere anyway. Recreational riding was part of it. I was racing while I was doing the 72 mile RT commutes and the 42 mile RT commutes. Also, tons and tons of long distance touring.

#3 The 36 mile commute and the 21 mile commute were at a time in my life when all I did really was ride my bike and when you're riding that much you do start to get really fast. Giving myself 2 hours for the 36 miles felt like a luxury. For that job I literally had to punch in at the time clock so being late at all meant being penalized so rain, wind, storms I still booked it. The 21 I used to try to do it in an hour, which I probably did a few times but usually somewhere around 1:05- 1:10. I'm not a get up early give myself plenty of time kind of guy so it was always a push. The more recent 19 mile commute was downhill to work so I could keep a good pace- maybe an hour and ten minutes or so. But coming home was slooooooow.

4- Equipment for those was my custom steel framed racing bike. Very light weight back pack- minimalist. Simplest light set up with a few tools, a spare tube and a pump.

For me, long distance commutes are fun for a while but day in and day out for years it's just too much time on the bike on the same roads and for the same purpose. I deliberately chose to buy a home near a bike path that allows me a 10 mile commute to work. 20 RT is perfect for me. Long commutes burn a lot of calories you've got to eat a lot of really good food and get plenty of sleep or they become a drudgery. If you have a family, a significant other or lots of other obligations long distance commuting can overload you in a negative way without proper planning and daily preparation.

21 miles each way. I live in the alps, so it's a hilly 21 miles.

1. Last year, it was 5 days/week. This year, 4 days since I work from home part time. However, I have the option to take a train part way when the weather is really nasty or if I have to rush home.
2. Yes
3. In summer, about 1:15 to 1:30. In winter, 1:30 to 2:00. If I take the train part way, it's 1:15 (i.e. same as my fastest riding time). My riding time depends on the weather and how I'm feeling physically.
4. 5 bikes, but 2 are used mainly for commuting. The winter/rain bike is a 1999 Cannondale T700 (touring). The summer/good weather bike is a Trek 7.7FX ("road" hybrid). I also have a 2010 Crosscheck which I built with 105 components and DT Swiss R1800 wheels. I commute with the CC on nice summer days, but it's largely my weekend bike. Of the other two, one is a folder and the other a mountain bike. I've commuted on them too, but only on a few occasions. To haul my stuff, I use a trunk bag mostly, and panniers occasionally. Dinotte lights in front, superflash in back.

1. 3-4 days per week. 16 miles each way, so I'm on the low side for this question.
2. Yes.
3. I always have done it under my own power, but I've been a commuter/recreational rider my whole life. I've been commuting on bike since 1998. My time has come way down since I started riding more frequently, probably down from 1:15 to 1 on the way in and 0:48 to 0:56 on the way home.
4. I've commuted on an old Bridgestone (then sold), a 1999 Schwinn Mesa (then stolen), a replacement old Raleigh MTB (not so good --- I donated it in the end), and my present bikes a Kona Jake and a Fuji Sports 12. I've only done the 16 mile commute on the Kona and Fuji. Overall, it took a while to get my seat to the right height. I don't think that any other modifications are necessary other than that. My attention to maintenance, including tire pressure, has gone way up because I don't want to be stuck in the middle of a 16 mile commute.

About 21 miles each way for me.
1. On average, about once a week. Sometimes twice. Sometimes none.
2. I was a weekend rider before I started commuting. My primary motivation for commuting was to get more miles in during the week so that I could have more time at home with the wife and kids on weekends.
3. It takes me around 1:20 to get to work (more uphill) and about 1:10 to get home (more downhill). Add or subtract 5 minutes depending on my mood and pace. It's a mix of bike trail, arterial roads with bike lanes, and low-traffic roads without bike lanes.
4. I've got a ~2006 Specialized Sequoia I bought from Craigslist that I use for commuting and winter/rain riding. Fenders installed. PBSF in back. Cygolite MityCross 400 in front when it's dark. Tire liners to avoid any unplanned stops (so far so good since I installed them, knock on wood). I carry my work clothes in a backpack. I'm glad to have showers at work.

I barely make it with 21 miles one way. It used to be 25 but I moved.

1. How many times per week do you ride into/from work?
4 days a week. I work Sunday, so I drive then. Its when I replenish supplies.

2. Were you a recreational rider before you started commuting?
Yes. I rode the offroad trails extensively.

3. How long did it take you to complete the entire distance under your own power?
Two years. It was out of necessity. I used to ride the train to work, but they changed my hours and I could no longer make it to work on time if I took the train.
It now takes me about an hour and ten minutes to get to work. Before it took about 2 hours.

4. After your trial and error period, what ended up being your equipment?
Specialized Secteur road bike, rack and panniers, CB Candy pedals, Magicshine and PB 2watt blaze headlights, Radbot and superflash tail lights.

I have a 47 mile round trip commute, but I usually push it past 50 to get that coveted half-century ride. :-)

1. How many times per week do you ride into/from work?

About half--more in the summer and less in the winter. My streak is over 20 work days in a row (both riding, and unfortunately, not riding).

2. Were you a recreational rider before you started commuting?

Sure.

3. How long did it take you to complete the entire distance under your own power?

Oh, immediately, once I started. But, I couldn't do successive days, and it took a couple of years to build up to three or more in a row. I ride through St. Paul in the morning and Minneapolis in the afternoon, and it's the starting up at the many controlled intersections that seems to trash my legs. Riding the same distance in the country is far easier on them.

Since I started this long commute, a light rail train has been put in for part of the route, and in winter I can cut off eight miles one or both commutes by taking it. It starts looking pretty inviting when temps drop to 10F or lower, or roads aren't so great.

4. After your trial and error period, what ended up being your equipment?

My "summer" bike is a '92 Cannondale T600 (touring) with 84k miles on it. My "winter" bike is a '95 Cannondale H600 (hybrid) with 17k miles on it (and because of road salt and sand, has worn out about the same number of components as the T600) and studded tires. A pair of REI panniers I got back in the early '90s finally gave out this summer, and I'm breaking in a pair of Racktime (Orlieb) panniers. Well, just one for now, and hopefully not the other for several years.

I'd still do the Troll for a commuter bike. The Ogre would allow for large 29" tires, but they would be pretty slow and heavy for commuting. Also, 29" wheels are heavier and not as strong as comparable 26" wheels.

As it is, the Troll has plenty of clearance for 700x35, which is the largest 700c tire I would use for commuting, and there is probably enough room for 700x45 or perhaps even larger. Also, the 26" wheels with 2.35" BAs are a great combination for offroad ride comfort without sacrificing too much speed on the road.

My commute is 41 miles round trip.

1. How many times per week do you ride into/from work?
I ride 3-4 times per week as after work schedules allow. I am shooting for all 5 days this week.

2. Were you a recreational rider before you started commuting
Yes.

3. How long did it take you to complete the entire distance under your own power?
(One way) First time this spring: 1hour, 45 minutes Yesterday: 1 hour, 6 minutes

4. After your trial and error period, what ended up being your equipment?
There have been no errors, just trials...

• I roll on a 1987 Trek 400T.
• SKS fenders
• 700x28 Vittoria Randonneurs, the biggest tires that I can fit under the fenders (I hear it if I run over a leaf or there is gravel in my tire tread)
• A cheap early 90's blackburn rack
• Vintage early 90's Cannondale panniers
• Vintage early 90's Cannondale handlebar bag
• Lights: Planet bike Blaze/Superflash combo that I picked up from REI
• Computer: Cateye Astrale 8 (W/Cadence) that I got from Nashbar for $29 (Best purchase of the year I think)

Completely unneccesary but for vanity and/or Fred reasons:

• Timex Heart rate monitor
• imapmyride app for android

For the sake of comparison, my commute is about 22 miles one-way and consists mostly of fairly small rolling hills.

I ride 2 or 3 days out of 5. I sometimes take the bus for most of the distance if it is particularly windy or there is high risk of a thunderstorm. I don't commute once it gets significantly snowy, as my route involves some high-speed rural roads.

Yes, but more in the "stroll in the park" sense than the cycling enthusiast sense.

I don't remember exactly, but I think I worked up to it over the course of a month or so, gradually riding further by taking the bus for less of the distance.

It takes me 1.5-2 hours to cover the distance.


Surly Long Haul Trucker (2010 Complete), Arkel Bug Pannier, Shimano Alfine dynohub, B&M IQ Cyo front light, B&M Toplight Line Plus rear light and a Topeak Road Morph G pump. I recently added Keen SPD sandals, which are nice but not necessary.

For clothing, I wear wicking general exercise clothing for warm weather. For cooler weather, I use merino wool base layers plus as many other layers as the weather requires.

I've really appreciated the wide and tough Continental Contacts that came with my bike, as I was riding through gravelly construction zones a lot this summer.

i used to, (now i work from home) about 20m one way, sometimes 25-30m depending on my route
miss it

1. 5 days
2. yes
3. 3ish hours both ways
4. a bike, a backpack and some tools?

My current commute to school is 20.2 miles with +612 / -1068 ft. For the commute home, I take a slightly different route, which is 21.2 miles with +1090 / -634 ft. To school takes about 1hr, 20mins to 1hr, 30mins including stops. Going back home, it takes about 1hr, 45mins to 2 hrs including stops.

1. How many times per week do you ride into/from work?

Right now I cycle commute 4 days and take 1 rest/drive day.

2. Were you a recreational rider before you started commuting?

No and yes. Before I started commuting, the longest ride was 5 miles. All my riding then was short trips to church, stores, friend's house, etc. The thing that really helped me jump right into it was being in good shape.

3. How long did it take you to complete the entire distance under your own power?

I've always done it under my own power, except the very first day commuting. I rode there and got a ride from my sister home. The next time I did it, I completed both commutes on my own. When I started back in 2009, I could only do it 2-3 times a week. Last semester, I bumped it up to 4 times a week.

4. After your trial and error period, what ended up being your equipment?

I've commuted on everything from a road bike to a hybrid to a CLWB recumbent bike. I am now using a Catrike Trail recumbent tadpole trike full-time. I have a homemade coroplast tailbox with a front fairing and coroplast wheel disks.

For daytime, I run PB 2watt blaze headlight on strob and rear Dinotte light on slow flash. For night/early morning riding, I used a NR headlight, helmet light, and a NR and Cateye rear lights (both set to solid).

For tires, I use 20x2.15 Big Apples all around for comfort, speed, and flat protection.

My commute is 22 miles each way.

1) I aim for at least three days a week. Sometimes it's five, sometimes it's two. I will not ride TO work in the rain. I wll ride home, because I have to. Motivation?
2) I was riding after work pretty regularly, but commuting really upped my mileage and fitness.
3) At first, the ride took me two hours each way. I've done it as fast as a hour and five minutes.
4) I've found that I like Brooks saddles, panniers, and fenders. My Bridgestone XO-2 sees most of my mileage. I do have a Gunnar Sport which is set up for commuting, but I only ride it in good weather or if I know I don't have to stop. I can ride it home in bad weather, but I prefer the Bridgestone. I also have a Surly Pacer. Fenders did not fit with 700x28s, so it's my good weather bike. No fenders, no rack, just a Carradice saddlebag.

23-27 Miles each way depending on the route I take. I always do both directions on the same day, although I've come across many riders that will cover one direction with the bike one day, drive the other direction, and alternate the next day.

1. How many times per week? That's a tough one because I don't have to go into the office on a regular basis (mostly work from home). I've done it as many as five days in a week and as few as none. A five day week of commuting is good for the ego, but kind of hard on my body. 3-4 days at 40+ miles round trip is plenty for me. On days that I work from home, I typically take a recreational ride between 25-45 miles daily.
2. Recreational first? Commuting came first for me. I like to have a destination in mind, but working from home has forced me into recreational status most of the time.
3. How long? To the office is gross downhill with about 650' of total elevation gain and takes 80-85 minutes for the 23 mile route. Home is about 1500' of total elevation gain and takes 95-125 minutes (the wind also picks up in the afternoon).
4. Equipment? Depends on how much I'm carrying. If all I need is lunch and a change of clothes, my preference is the singlespeed listed in my sig. That's right, the SS is my bike of choice. It's a lot lighter (24lbs unlaiden), simpler, and is more nimble handling. It's got a basket mounted on top of the rear rack that is just big enough to hold a small backpack. If I'm carrying a larger load, expecting bad weather (wind), or want to ride the 27 mile route both directions, I ride the Gary Fisher listed in my sig (36lbs unlaiden). Gary is equiped with lights, rack, fenders, bell, computer, GPS, a folding basket on one side, and I use a panier on the other. I have different paniers for different loads/purposes. My road bike is my work from home commuter (18lbs fully dressed). It's not very good at carrying loads. All of my bikes are equiped with a tail light of some sort, pump, patch kit, multi-tool, and spare tube. I also always ride with a heart rate monitor. Gary is the only bike with a headlight.

1. How many times per week do you ride into/from work?
My bike commute is about 18 miles each way and I do it 3 times a week.

2. Were you a recreational rider before you started commuting?
I started commuting about 2.5 years ago. I had not been on a bicycle for a real long time.

3. How long did it take you to complete the entire distance under your own power?
My first commute took 2 hours to get to work and 2.5 hours to get home. I then decided to divide and conquer. I drove part way and worked up from 7.5 miles each way to 12 and then to the full distance. It now takes me about 75 minutes each way. Unfortunately, I have lots of traffic lights and stop signs to contend with.

4. After your trial and error period, what ended up being your equipment?
I rode a borrowed mountain bike for about a year. I then bought a hybrid bike and ride it all the time now. I carry a handlebar bag with wallet, keys and cell. I also have a small soft sided cooler that I carry on a rear rack. I carry a lock and chain, spare tube, pump, tools and some clothes in the cooler. I also carry plenty of water. I carry work clothes back and forth on the off days when I drive in.