I don't think the map measures its own directions inaccurately... If it says 4.2 miles, it's 4.2 miles.

Depends on too many factors. But if there are no extreme hills etc, I'd say 15-20 minutes, depending on the rider. But don't rely on Google maps to give you the best biking route. Instead, look at the map and plot the route yourself, e.g. at www.gmap-pedometer.com. This way you get to choose the streets you like and possibly incorporate shortcuts, bike paths etc. that Google doesn't know about.

I pass a golf course on my short 2 mile-commute. I noticed a golf club sock lying on the sidewalk in the cart path. I stopped and said to the nearby golfers "Hey, you dropped a sock!" One of them jogged over and got it, thanking me. Good deed for the day, +1

Well, as we learn later in this thread, you dropped it on the golf course. :D

If those sidewalks have driveways, be careful about a combo of even average biking speed and sidewalks. Check this out for tips on urban riding.

Due to several factors, this morning was my first commute this year. Cool air had me reaching for the balaclava, but I found it too restrictive for breathing (it's made for motorcycles). About 3 miles in, my mirror fell off my helmet. I stopped, waited on traffic to clear, and retrieved it. Event free after that. It's good to be back on the bike. But I have GOT to streamline my routine. It took me 1.5 hrs to get from my driveway to my office. Distance is 11 miles. I know my speed isn't great, but I seem to be wasting a lot of time getting ready, getting into work and getting a shower.

Last nights rain was wet.
This mornings ride was cool and nice. And it's getting warmer. Soon it's shorts and tshirts! Wooo!

I didn't ride yesterday because of forecasted rain, so of course it didn't rain. The ride in this morning was good. I met a co-worker at his apartment and we rode the last 1.5 miles in to the office together. Shorts and a t-shirt today.

Niiiiiiice today. First morning it has really felt like spring. :love: Sunny, bit of a tailwind, lots of birds out.

A guy on an MTB came out on the MUP behind me. I was running my knobbies and kinda tired so he was a bit faster than me. He went around and we exchanged comments about the weather. Later I caught him at a red light and we talked about tires (he had studs) and bike stuff as we climbed the hill toward my building.

Best commute in a long time. Need to put my slicks back on though.

And I want to know why livewirerc got arrested and beaten. :eek:

Today was the first day of the year I thought to myself "Geeze, its good to be bike commuting!" For the rest of April I was thinking "Staying healthy. Saving money. Helping the environment. So cold..."

Ottawa weather blows.

No commute today. Recovery day.

Anyhow, yesterday the winds were from the S or SE. I commute North and NW. What a tailwind! I averaged 19 mph and hit 34 mph on the flats without sprinting. The only problem encountered was descending a hill at over 30 mph when I must have hit something and pinch flatted my rear tire. A 700X23 tire going flat during a descent is something else. Anyhow, safely brought the bike to a stop and swapped the tube out after determining how it flatted. I think I need to check my PSI before every ride. It was down about 20 in the front.

A little late today, so I hit the peak traffic. 1/2 mile backups at intersections. I passed a nice looking `vette which was cool.

Second flat of the year so I was even later. Looks like I'm going to be looking for new tires. I think I've busted the fatter tires equal fewer flats myth. 2nd in 500 miles, new tires.

None of the snow we had in the last 24 hrs stuck to the road, so it was just sort of wet. I'll be a lot happier once I get onto my new bike with full fenders. I got cut off by an Acura MDX on the way in - I was 1 car length away from its right turn, but it just had to get there ahead of me. I slam on the brakes and look over my left shoulder for an escape route, then had to dodge as the SUV slammed on its brakes to allow a pedestrian to cross on the sidewalk. Oi! Some people's kids...

Commuted via cage today. Going to the mountains tomorrow, and want fresh legs for hiking up Brasstown Bald in the morning to watch the TdG.

Windy and a little chilly but it still made for a fast ride in. Rode the cross bike with no bag on my back. Gotta love the Carradice. Winds are supposed to gust up to 40mph today.

The arrest was probably warranted (alleged criminal trespass), but the officers' over-enthusiastic means of restraining me went a bit far, specifically the mace after I was cuffed and restrained. Ah well, hindsight's 20/20 and all that.

Todays ride was awesome! I left my bag at home and just packed my pump, multi-tool and patch kit. Much nicer on the back. The weather is shorts warm and I didn't have any issues on my way in. I'm looking forward to a nice, long, leisurely ride home.

:D yeah! With extra socks and wool undershirt in the pack, it was a very nice ride in today.

Got in 20 miles this morning by leaving early to ride away from downtown and into the wind before turning around to enjoy the sweet, sweet tailwind. I know you guys will understand!

Yelled at a kid riding his full suspension mtb on the sidewalk dodging pedestrians. Probably thought I was a grumpy old fart who needs his Metamucil.

On the way into the office I struck up a conversation with a woman who works in another office. She was asking about how much it costs to rent the bike box, who to call, etc. She said she'd like to ride to work but she's afraid of leaving her nice road bike on the rack. I gave her the info and maybe we'll soon have another bike commuter. Spreading the word, one rider at a time.

Good work! Guess yesterday was SOCK DAY!

Got my bike back from the LBS yesterday, all tuned up, new brakes, new skinny tires. Gave it a good cleaning, hoping that last week's snow was the last. Still had to fight the winds on the ride in today but it was nice to have the sun shining for a change. Didn't fall over due to new tires, so I'll call that a win.

Today is recovery for me.

Yesterday was my 5th commute (ever) and my worst yet. It should have been the easiest ride I've had all year, no snow, no ice, slight tailwind, temps in the mid 30's, 4 days rest, etc. But I had NO energy at all. Struggled to maintain 14mph on the flats, I had trouble controlling my breathing after a moderate climb, and I had to stop about half way through the commute to keep from puking my guts out. I have no idea why things weren't working but they weren't. Strangely enough I was fine on the ride home. Even with a headwind and tired legs I still beat my rolling time from the morning.

You just need to fuel and rest more, BigRed - you'll become conditioned to it soon, it just takes a little time. Just the other day I rode 10 miles out to an event, and the ride there felt awful. The ride back felt WAY better, I think that was a case of my body just not being awake enough that particular morning.

My ride in was a little breezy and felt slow, heading further East tonight to visit my daughter hopefully will be better.
Keeping with the spinning and my knees are feeling much better, back is still sore but I think that's a combination of sleeping in some weird contorted positions and not enough of said sleep ;)

Noticed my back brakes are 'sticking' - which actually turns out to be a mix between a sticky 'arm' (or the part of the V-brake that holds the pad) and a very wildly untrue hub. I need to go to the LBS soon and get that looked at, I've a spoke that's come completely out of the hub amongst the hub being as it is. This means I'm using my front brakes exclusively as the pad rubs on the rim pretty badly and I've not had much time to really fiddle about to see if I can adjust it far enough out to make contact only when I pull the brake lever.

Great commute this morning. 46F was a bit chilly for the first mile ;) but once warmed up I did great. Stopped along the way to help out some high school kids change out a tire. lol I think we scared some people into thinking that they had hit me. I cut 2 minutes off of my average commute time last year. Nice!

Fantastic, on new bike! Pix to come.

The road it showed me was the quickest way to get there. Trust me, I live in NJ

Once again, nice ride in and back!!

BigRed, I am just about to finish my 4th week of commuting to work. its only 2.7 miles and it still took me about 2-3 weeks to adjust to the ride. I was eating like crazy and by friday, it was a rough ride in. Now that I am at the end of my 4th week, I dont even feel as if I have even rode a bike to work when I get there. I even started riding 12 miles RT to the Plasma center after work on mondays and wednesdays. Good luck and keep riding!!!

I've been doing short 4 mile commutes everyday day so I don't get to post those. Today I had to do some miscellaneous shopping and I ended up putting about 14 miles so here's my post.

Decided to take a different route so went up on Flying W Ranch... boy that's a long hill coming from 30th St. I'm still not used to Colorad altitude and while I didn't feel like dying it sure felt like a very long hill! Going down it was a nice and fast 36.5 mph. :D

Kinda windy here in Colorado Springs; I'm still not used to it. My panniers act like a huge parachute and it's hard to go fast; I just focus on getting a good ride and getting there. Other riders are out in shorts (pants and sleeves) while I'm still wearing my windbreaker.

GreenAnvil

I don't know NJ, so I've no idea how NJ is relevant. But anyway, fastest isn't always best, depends on your priorities. There are plenty of times when I'd prefer to tack an extra mile on my commute to avoid a nasty stretch of road or to take in an especially scenic path. But your route is up to you, of course.

occasionally cranking up the pace a bit on the rides in and back. Still feels a bit like I'm pulling teeth until I find my rhythm but eventually I got a good fast ride out of it.

Had a Metro Cab aggressively and intentionally right hook me on Beacon Street. I managed to barely avoid a collision and he even made a second move to guarantee he'd cut me to a stop. When I knocked on his window and asked him WTH he was doing he said, "This isn't Europe. This is America. You have to get out of my way."

That was good enough for me. So I pulled out my cell phone, got his medallion number and called his company to file a complaint.

He then yelled to me, "You're trying to kill me!"

My response was to shrug my shoulders and say, "This is America." :rolleyes:

Rest up. Hang in there. It takes a while for your body to build up the needed blood vessels and muscle.

Really really good ride in this morning. Low traffic and high 30's. Not much wind at all.