Commuting and working very long shifts
 

Does anyone commute to work and work long shifts? I work 13-15 hour days on my feet the entire time but am considering commuting now that i live close enough to commute (<4 miles, 250 ft climbing going home). Drive time and ride time are close enough to equal but after those kinds of shifts, hopping on a bike seems crazy

Everyone is different. No harm in trying it a few times to see how it goes. If it were me doing those hours I would want to ride home on a lazy Boy recliner. :D


edit: oops didn't process the 4 miles. Thought it was longer. Just do it.

Man 4 miles would be so easy for me. It's about 4 to my parents house and I do that in 20-25 minutes going SLOW. My normal commute is 15+ miles each way.

This past summer I was in the same boat. I wanted to ride in every day, but only managed 2 or 3 times a week. Long hours, and always on my feet. I once wore a pedometer into work, and after 9 hours I logged over 19,000 steps. 8.5 miles RT commute, with a biggish climb at the end. I'm not working the same number of hours now, but I'm still only riding in once or twice a week.

57 yo teacher here.

Frequently work 12 hr plus days, most of it on my feet, exhausted at the end. Still manage 75-100 mile commuting weeks, through urban areas yet.

Trick is to bicycle at a relaxed pace, or fast on those days when you want but ya aint racing anyone or have anything to prove.

Done that way a couple of hours on the bike each day will actually reduce your stress, allow you to sleep better AND improve your fitness (amazing how one can otherwise still gain weight and develop high blood pressure even though one is one their feet all day).

Mike

Go for it! I Rode a CAAD 3 and wore a backpack and it was the highlight of my day. I used to work 10-12hr shift and I'd commute about 14 miles each way 4 days a week in the summer (no Friday bike commute for me, I always worried about the late night drunk drivers). I always felt refreshed after the ride.

My current plan is to do it to one shift a week and go from there. I did commute for a half day when I got called in to call check out the route and it was not too bad.

And have tracked my walking at work before, 12-13 miles of walking a day

I work 10-12 hours a day on my feet either in a cold kitchen doing butchery or on the line in the heat. End of the night ordering and paperwork. I ride everyday either 28kms from home each way or throw the bike on the roof rack and drive half way. The most critical thing for me is refueling and eating right for the night back home around midnight. Sometimes I am too busy to eat which is silly since I am a chef.

Dave

I'd say it will help you not be so burned at the end of your work day. Although of course there is some initial getting used to the ride. Unless that 250ft climb is over a 500ft stretch, the climb shouldnt be a reason to avoid the commute, it just means you'll have some spin time.

I work 16 hour shifts at times. Must at 12-14 hours. Sometimes the graveyard shifts. I go to work 18mph on average, but coming back I avg about 15mph. You dictate how fast or slow you go, according to how you feel.

During 14 hour work days I was commuting every other day for a couple weeks and then had to stop. 18 miles one way was taking a toll on my body after working those hours on my feet or underneath aircraft. Shorter work days now and commuting again feels great. With the traffic here in socal my bike ride is faster then sitting on the highway not moving.

I posted a similar question recently. Though, my long days are 10-12 and I'm not on my feet all day... I have a commute that is about 8 miles each way, with a ~300 ft. climb that comes quickly after leaving work.

I have been eating a protein bar about an hour or so before I ride home, along with some water and coffee or tea. Just enough caffeine to get me home, but not so much to keep me up too late... A delicate balance... I also got a new light for my helmet which helps me see better on the ride home. I got the Exposure Diablo light (currently about $250) on Amazon and I am very happy with it. Very easy and quick to charge, light-weight & no bulky battery-pack.

Still, it is easier for me to bike home if my work day is 10 hours or less. When I work 12 hours or more, I just want to drive home.

I work 12 hour shifts though I'm not on my feet most of the time. I ride my bike 20 miles +/- each way at least one day out of four. It can make for a long day and I've fallen asleep within 1/2 hour of getting home on more than one occasion

Until about a year ago I was working 10 & 12 to 15 hr shifts. Walking at least 6 miles a day. Work is only a 3 mile commute but I'd do a 15 mile loop coming home. Through the winter. 63yo,btw. That said, my current schedule is back to back 19+ hour shifts with 5 scheduled hours off between. I don't commute for these shifts, need to bring pillows, blankets, etc. OT shifts still ride. I do get in a 3 to 6 mile stint on the rowing machine between those shifts. Not unusual for me to get in a 25+ mile ride once I get home.

Bottom line, go for it