How Far Each Way
#4
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,437
Likes: 4,527
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
I did 17 miles ea way for a year, then they moved a tad closer and got the ride down to 13 ea way and that was ideal. new place is 25 and that's just outside the distance I find practical. did it a handful of times on weekends for testing but just doesn't seem like a good choice.
#5
I'm doing my first commute today. It'll be about 19 miles from work to home. My hope is to do this a few times a week, perhaps building up to riding both ways. My wife and I share one car, and she's off work for the summer, so any commuting I do will mean that she doesn't either have to get up early, make two trips a day, or be stuck without transportation.
#7
I did 17 miles ea way for a year, then they moved a tad closer and got the ride down to 13 ea way and that was ideal. new place is 25 and that's just outside the distance I find practical. did it a handful of times on weekends for testing but just doesn't seem like a good choice.
#9
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
My shortest route is 10.5 miles, but I take a 12 mile route at least for better roads (the short route has 4 miles of gravel).
Unless the weather is bad, I usually take a 15 mile route, just because I get to ride a few minutes more on that route. If I could figure out how to keep getting paid for it, I'd ride straight past work for 50 miles then turn around and go home.
Unless the weather is bad, I usually take a 15 mile route, just because I get to ride a few minutes more on that route. If I could figure out how to keep getting paid for it, I'd ride straight past work for 50 miles then turn around and go home.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 111
From: North of Boston
Bikes: Kona Dawg, Surly 1x1, Karate Monkey, Rockhopper, Crosscheck , Burley Runabout,
18 miles one way, 2-6 trips per week. If I change routes and bikes, I can get 8 miles of dirt out of 20, for a 2.5 hour ride home
#11
Let's Ride!

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
I ride almost 11 to work and little more home if weather is nice and time is not pressing for me to go somewhere after work.
#14
Senior Member


Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 523
Likes: 679
From: No. Va.
Bikes: '96 C40, '04 C50, '04 Merlin Magia, '97 Stumpjumper, '04 Specilaized Roubaix
10.94 miles in, 11.22 home
__________________
There are no tailwinds. There are headwinds and days when I'm awesome!
There are no tailwinds. There are headwinds and days when I'm awesome!
Last edited by MikeM21; 06-15-13 at 06:08 AM. Reason: miles
#15
Prefers Cicero

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,860
Likes: 146
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others
11.5 km each way. Urban/residential and some downtown.
Once in a while I do a couple of extra loops on a small hill on my route home , but I haven't done that yet this year.
Once in a while I do a couple of extra loops on a small hill on my route home , but I haven't done that yet this year.
#16
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
My commute averages about 31 miles round trip. Morning leg is usually 14-15 miles, afternoon about 16.5-17.5 miles. Distances varies because I often vary the route just for the fun of it or to extend or reduce time.
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
About 6.5 miles to work, 7 coming home.
"Bix Beaterbike" -- that's awesome, cooker.
"Bix Beaterbike" -- that's awesome, cooker.
#20
7.5 miles each way since a couple of weeks ago, three years ago it was 10.5 changing to 9.5 from route improvements, and four years ago 2.5 miles. They all felt about the same - you get used to the distance.
#21
Three route options:
7 miles, but it involves crappy road conditions and is boring.
13 miles, dedicated bike lane and decent roads otherwise; bad wind option on the last 3 miles. It turns into a constant Gulf offshore that is S/SE 15-25 daily here.
21 mile route, has the same wind option but it's the most fun. I generally do this at least 4 days a week, both directions.
I found a 32 mile route, and tried it once. It was hell working all day without a shower after 32 miles.
7 miles, but it involves crappy road conditions and is boring.
13 miles, dedicated bike lane and decent roads otherwise; bad wind option on the last 3 miles. It turns into a constant Gulf offshore that is S/SE 15-25 daily here.
21 mile route, has the same wind option but it's the most fun. I generally do this at least 4 days a week, both directions.
I found a 32 mile route, and tried it once. It was hell working all day without a shower after 32 miles.




