Author Topic: How long is your bike commute? (Read 18003 times)

Jeremy E. · « **on:** June 16, 2015, 03:25:50 PM »

Just curious, you can also leave a more detailed comment with things like
actual miles
average commute time
type of terrain/weather
what bike you ride

Me:
6 miles (3 each way)

takes 15 minutes each way, 30 minutes total

hilly/lots of rain in spring, 90+ degrees in summer, it only snows a couple weeks out of the year, but I don't ride my bike during those days.

I have a motobecane cyclocross bike

Kmp2 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2015, 05:40:56 PM »

12 Miles round trip
30-35 minutes each way, so an hour to an hour ten total.
I ride in most weather, I may not ride both ways when it's really cold (-15C), and not at all below -25
Terrain is mostly residential roadways, with a lovely ride on a bike path through a park, the beginning and the end of my route involve busy 2 lane roadways that can cause some grief...

I have a hybrid commuter bike MEC brand, much to the dismay of my bike friends!

timkrik · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2015, 05:41:23 PM »

My commute is only 2.3 miles each way. However, that distance isn't far enough and I go in the opposite direction when I leave home to make it 5.5 each way. I am in southern California, so no inclement weather here.

I ride a vintage 1992 Klein Attitude mountain bike.

AllieVaulter · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2015, 05:49:09 PM »

I have a 3 mile commute, each direction. It's a bit of an uphill ride on the way to work. I like to take it easy so I don't end up super sweaty when I get to work. It usually takes 20-25 minutes. It's only 15 minutes on the way home.

I bike most regularly in the summer & fall when the weather's nicest. Previously I was carpooling in the winter with my husband, but he's trying to get a different job. So I might end up biking more in the winter.

Oh, and I ride a crappy mountain bike that I got for free. It's magenta.

GreenPen · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2015, 05:51:49 PM »

I commute zero miles, each way (I work from home).

But if I did have a commute, it would definitely be on a bike!

jda1984 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2015, 05:57:09 PM »

I misread the directions. I thought it was distance one way. Mine is 12.5-13 miles one way or about 25 miles round trip. It takes about 50 minutes each direction. The way in is a bit of a climb at the end, but mostly flat until that point. I have a couple miles of crushed limestone trail (I could take a different route, but it would be a somewhat busy street). I ride a 1982 Schwinn Super Sport. I put studded tires on for winter. I find riding in the winter is very relaxing as I have the trails mostly to myself (I might see less than 10 people on bikes on a winter commute one way). The summer has nicer weather, but the trail is much busier. All but about 3 miles is trail riding for me (paved except as noted above).

MakingSenseofCents · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2015, 05:59:05 PM »

I work from home so my commute is 0 miles :)

However, I do ride my bike to the grocery store nearly every time and that is 2.5 miles round trip. It means that we have to go to the store a lot, but we meal plan so everything works out perfectly :)

tthree · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2015, 06:06:19 PM »

7 miles round trip (or 12 km)

Takes around 20 minutes. Flat terrain, majority of ride on pathway.

I am a fair weather biker. Currently I don't do snow.

I have a Kona bike, don't know the model off-hand.

AndreaGS · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2015, 07:35:40 PM »

12 miles, 6 miles each way. Takes me about 30 minutes, 25 if I'm pushing it. I usually take it pretty easy on my way in, so I don't get sweaty, and then ride harder on my way back.

Terrain is flat. Weather can be 110+, which makes the ride difficult. I have rain pants and a jacket for the days that it rains. I ride 3 days a week and carpool in on a scooter with my husband for 2 days a week.

I ride a Specialized road bike. Don't remember the model off the top of my head, but I love it.

One Noisy Cat · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2015, 08:11:10 PM »

it was three blocks.

jorjor · « **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2015, 08:54:45 PM »

8 miles round trip (4 each way).

Takes about 13-17 mins depending on the day. The way home is a bit shorter but a bit more uphill.

Denver weather. Hot summers, pretty mild winters with some really cold/snowy periods. I try to bike in anything. A couple winters ago I biked all winter, and remember a couple times riding home in -10F, high wind, and snow. Last winter, I was recovering from a broken kneecap I got mountain biking, so I didn't want to risk re-breaking it in the ice and snow. The thing that is sure to stop my is if the trail I ride which runs near a creek is flooded, which happens after most heavy rains.

Most of my commute miles are done on a Kona cyclocross bike. In the summer, I put road tires on them. Spring and fall and rainy times I put the cyclocross tires/wheels on. In the winter I ride my MTB for the wider tires and more traction.

mom2_3Hs · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2015, 09:16:45 PM »

less than 1/2 a mile each direction.

oneday · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2015, 09:28:55 PM »

Oops, I did not read the directions well either. I'm at about 3.5-3.75 mi each way, so about 7-7.5 mi total. It takes a while, as I ride a Liv Sedona, a comfort bike. I have a really upright riding position, so lots of wind resistance. However, the gearing helps. I would say about 40 min one way? It's hard to say as there is a ride to the train station, train ride, ride from station to office. That takes about 1.25 hours total, it's all paved, mostly city streets, but nice & wide with little auto traffic.

Ricky · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2015, 10:20:10 PM »

I don't currently commute but I dream of the day when I live within a 3 mile radius of work and a grocery store.

Mrs.LC · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2015, 10:38:19 PM »

There is a guy who rides by our house every day in the am and pm at the same time so assuming he is commuting to work. Pouring rain, 30 below zero doesn't seem to stop him. I have great admiration of him and some day I'm going to flag him down and tell him so.

Farmer Dan · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2015, 10:44:56 PM »

My commute is about 11.5 miles one way. Since I am mostly a runner and only pretend to be a cyclist, I usually shuttle my car back and forth between work and home, running the other leg of the commute. I would like to go fully self-propelled and bike one way and run the other. Building up to that!

50/50 mix concrete and gravel, mostly bike path.

patrickza · « **Reply #16 on:** June 17, 2015, 01:06:39 AM »

16 miles each way. I bike unless it's raining, though I use my homemade electric: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu0IHH8EAvQ

GuitarStv · « **Reply #17 on:** June 17, 2015, 06:00:11 AM »

22 miles total, 1/3 through quiet subdivisions and 1/3 through busy city streets. All on the road, with a total of about .5 miles of painted bike lane. :P

My personal best one way is 38 minutes in the summer with a stiff tailwind and the traffic light god on my side, worst was 67 minutes in winter (80 kph wind gusts, blowing snow, and -20 . . . snow was deep enough that I had to carry my bike for some parts of the commute). I ride in snow, rain, and regardless of weather conditions - except freezing rain.

MLKnits · « **Reply #18 on:** June 17, 2015, 06:58:05 AM »

Mine is just shy of 5 miles (about 8km) round trip, on a busy street with no bike lane, almost 100% a straight shot (basically a turn off at the beginning and the end). The main annoyance is waiting at red lights. Not much to complain about, it's a great commute. I'm very, very, very glad I moved closer to my office--I was driving 1.5-2 hours a day two years ago.

DirtDiva · « **Reply #19 on:** June 17, 2015, 07:12:57 AM »

Just moved to a new town and job so I'm able to bike commute daily. I haven't missed a day yet, and I'm going for a personal record.

I ride about 2 miles each way on fairly flat pavement, on a Specialized front suspension mountain bike with a basket and a bell. The weather has been very mild so far- yesterday it was sprinkling a tiny bit so I wore a rain jacket.

Carlsky · « **Reply #20 on:** June 17, 2015, 07:34:21 AM »

I bike commute between 2 to 4 days per week except in the Canadian Winter when the roads are dangerous.

My ride is 11 km each way along Lake Ontario through rural areas.

My bike is a Raleigh road bike with 700cc wheels that I keep at about 100 PSI.

The commute takes between 40 and 45 minutes. My best time is 36 minutes with a great tail wind.

paulkemp · « **Reply #21 on:** June 17, 2015, 07:35:58 AM »

my bike ride is 3,5 km (little over 2 miles) each way. Despite being an urban environment, there are only a few road crossings.

Since our weather is very temperate and mild , I bike all-year and all-weather, with the exception of storms with strong wind gusts. Those can be ferocious!

My 'ride' is a sturdy city bike with storage bags on the rear.

mlejw6 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 17, 2015, 07:42:36 AM »

My commute is 6 miles, 12 round trip. I'm uphill on the way in - it's about 700-800 ft elevation gain, so it takes about 45 minutes. My trip home takes about 35 mins. I'm kind of new to this, so I don't know how good that is. I could probably improve, but..... I'm moving to a place that is 0.6 miles away from work, so it will not be worth it to ride my bike to work unless I have to run errands after. I can't wait! But, I also know I might get flabby without my tough workout ride!

I ride a 15 yr old Giant Cypress hybrid. It gets the job done; I have no complaints about it.

Aaron L · « **Reply #23 on:** June 17, 2015, 08:32:25 AM »

12.5 miles each direction, 45 minutes each direction. It's a little on the long side, but I am fortunate to live down the street from a commuter train (which my job pays for me to use) that drops me off at the front door, so I always have that as a backup option in case of bad weather or if I'd rather get some reading time in.

driftxsequence · « **Reply #24 on:** June 17, 2015, 08:49:32 AM »

5.5 miles each way for a grand total of 11 miles a day. The ride in takes roughly 30 minutes, with the ride home taking 25 thanks to the hills. A few of them are very steep and take about 5 minutes to climb since they are long and steep. the ride home has a slight decline for well over a mile and allows me to do 18-20mph with nearly no effort.

This is my first year commuting by bike. Early spring was great. Leave cold and warm up as you ride. Now its 80+ in the morning with high humidity and I'm riding less. The radar also shows 50% chance of rain in the evening often but never rains....So that deters me as well. I carry a work laptop in my bag and dont want to get it wet.

I have a 2011 cannondale trail 5. Waiting on some handlebar tape to try a 1980s panasonic DX1000 that my dad gave me. I'm hoping its an easier ride so I dont sweat so much on my way to work.

Matt_D · « **Reply #25 on:** June 17, 2015, 09:51:57 AM »

26 miles each way. I don't do it very often because there are also 26 intersections/stoplights so it takes about an hour and 40 mins each way. Driving is usually 40-50 min.

Bike is a Novara (REI brand) drop-bar commuter - can't recall the model and I don't think they make it anymore.

Previously, I commuted ~12 miles a day for 4 years and ~4 miles a day for about 6 months. Working on getting back to a more reasonable distance!

YK-Phil · « **Reply #26 on:** June 17, 2015, 09:59:30 AM »

Every 2 weeks for 2 weeks, I house-sit and dog-sit a 130lbs Akita about 5 km away from work. If I bike alone, it takes me less than 20 minutes on my old MTB, mostly on an urban multi-use trail, but more than double when I take the dog along on a leash. I just bought a contraption to bike with the dog, which I will try today, so hopefully that will cut down on my commute time.

Shortbus · « **Reply #27 on:** June 17, 2015, 12:39:05 PM »

About 3 miles each way. Pretty much flat except for one bridge. This time of year it's a pretty miserable 3 miles though with the heat.

Bike is my SS Surly Karate Monkey mountain bike converted over to commuter duty since there are no trails anywhere even close to me now.

FreeWheel · « **Reply #28 on:** June 17, 2015, 06:42:20 PM »

24 mile round trip, 12 each way. Average 3 days a week most of the year, 3 days a month in Jan/Feb. Average 45-50 minutes each way. Would do more often if it were shorter. Just started on my 10th year! WooHoo!

frompa · « **Reply #29 on:** June 17, 2015, 08:28:44 PM »

My current bike commute is a mere mile (or mile and a half, if I stop at the post office to pick up the mail.) I've done this for 10 years; for the 10 years before that, I had a 20 mile round trip bike commute; I LOVED that ride, even though it was along busy streets. I always got to work in a good mood, and ditto for getting home. The only thing I miss about living so much closer to my work is that long bike ride twice a day.

Le Poisson · « **Reply #30 on:** June 17, 2015, 08:39:22 PM »

About 3.75 miles each way. Headed to work, I ride 2 km with 2 boys and drop one of them at school, then another 1 km with one boy in a trailer and drop him at day care. My final push is alone with an empty bike trailer. My wife works at the same office as me, and she picks up the kids after work (she drives).

I use a different route home to avoid hills and go through a nice park. It makes a good circuit and changes things up a little. I've been thinking of finding a slightly longer route home in order to log more miles. Another 5 km each day would be nice.

I aim for cycling 3 days a week depending on how I can schedule client meetings and site work. Some days I need a car for my job.

Jeremy E. · « **Reply #31 on:** June 18, 2015, 10:11:02 AM »

Quote from: FreeWheel on June 17, 2015, 06:42:20 PM

24 mile round trip, 12 each way. Average 3 days a week most of the year, 3 days a month in Jan/Feb. Average 45-50 minutes each way. Would do more often if it were shorter. Just started on my 10th year! WooHoo!

Thats quite a commute, congrats on doing it for 9 whole years!

darkadams00 · « **Reply #32 on:** June 20, 2015, 12:33:31 PM »

Quote from: Matt_D on June 17, 2015, 09:51:57 AM

26 miles each way. I don't do it very often because there are also 26 intersections/stoplights so it takes about an hour and 40 mins each way. Driving is usually 40-50 min.

Made me wonder about my intersection count so I tallied up my total--20 intersections in my 9-mile, one-way commute (18 mi RT). Best morning time is 34 mins this year, and my morning avg is around 36 mins this year. About 38 min avg in the higher afternoon traffic this year.

DagobertDuck · « **Reply #33 on:** June 20, 2015, 12:54:34 PM »

2.5 miles each way

OUJAU · « **Reply #34 on:** June 20, 2015, 04:23:09 PM »

Wow, yall make me feel like a wimp. My commute would only be 7 miles each way but I drive. I tried biking a few times but I was literally scared for my life. It's mostly narrow roads with no shoulder or anything. Not sure if this is just the style in my neck of the woods or what but it seems like every other person is driving one of those pickups with the big ass side mirrors that stick out 2 feet. I'm brave enough to ride a motorcycle anywhere but the drivers and roads around here scare the begeebus out of me on a bike! I've pulled off bike commutes in other cities I've lived in no problem but I just don't feel safe here.

Roadhog · « **Reply #35 on:** June 21, 2015, 08:06:27 AM »

26 miles round trip for me.

dennityrrell · « **Reply #36 on:** September 10, 2015, 11:36:08 PM »

a bit late to the thread but ...

1mi commute.

I usually ride my bike but sometimes I skateboard or walk.
My company pays $2/way to commute to work other then driving so I take full advantage.

I live in Socal so the weather is nice. Year round .. rain or shine.

Urchina · « **Reply #37 on:** September 11, 2015, 12:50:31 AM »

I, too, am late to the thread, but I have a great bike commute!

My bike commute is 3 miles each way, 2/3 through quiet suburban neighborhoods and 1/3 on a bike lane on a busy frontage road. It takes me about 25 minutes on the way there and 20 minutes on the way back.

It's mostly flat with some gentle hills both ways (maybe 30 ft elevation gain).

I ride a heavy (55 lb?) steel-framed step-through Workcycle Omafiets (http://www.workcycles.com/home-products/handmade-city-bicycles/workcycles-omafiets-dutch-granny-bike) with blue chintz Basil bags on the back rack. Each bag can carry a full brown grocery bag full of groceries.

I've got a very upright riding position and only 3 gears. If I was going to buy the bike again, I'd buy the 8-speed, since the 3-speed gearing doesn't quite match my natural cycling preferences. For once being tall and needing a big bike had its advantages; the dealer was having a hard time moving this bike (not a lot of demand for 61cm step-throughs, apparently) and I got a screaming deal on it. It'll last me my entire bicycling life.

The reason I love this bike so much, despite the weight and gearing? I don't have to change clothes to bike in it. If I'm in a dress and heels, I can bike to work. If I'm in jeans and a sweater, I can bike to work. If I want to wear a suit -- I can bike to work. If I'm in a sarong and flip-flops, I can bike to the beach. (4 miles away on an awesome bike path) ;)

It has a completely encased chain guard, massive fenders, a built-in headlight, great brakes and a super-sturdy rack that can carry a large kid if necessary -- and an upright riding position that puts no strain on my wrists -- it's awesome.

It rides like a Cadillac, but is clearly built for comfort, not for speed.

oneday · « **Reply #38 on:** September 11, 2015, 01:20:47 PM »

Urchina, I have a heavy, built-for-comfort bike too. It still does the job, and a lot faster than walking! It's a great choice if it suits your needs.

Cap_Scarlet · « **Reply #39 on:** September 11, 2015, 03:24:24 PM »

My bike commute is around 18 km each way but as I live at 550 meters and work at 100 its around 35 minutes there and one hour back - all on road.

HPstache · « **Reply #40 on:** September 11, 2015, 03:36:39 PM »

2 miles, each way.

synonym · « **Reply #41 on:** September 11, 2015, 05:09:39 PM »

.5 miles each way. Downhill on the way to work, uphill on the way home Almost hardly worth getting the bike out

Merrie · « **Reply #42 on:** September 11, 2015, 09:03:34 PM »

I work at varying sites. 2 days a week I am at a bikeable site but one of those is a closing shift (2 pm-10 pm) so I drive that one. So I only bike one day a week usually and it's about 8 miles one way, about 50 minutes. 1 day a week I work at a site that's really not bikeable, and the other 2 days are anyone's guess, so if I end up somewhere bikeable I'll do it. Today I worked at a site 3 miles from my house, and that was a lovely 15 minute ride.

HenryDavid · « **Reply #43 on:** September 12, 2015, 06:38:29 AM »

5 miles each way, all on bike paths, one significant hill in there.
All weather except colder than -15 or really icy. Those days I walk a 2.4 mile route along roads.
Kona cyclocross bike.
The fun part is adding detours for groceries or just for fun, via the path network in Calgary. You can do 100k on paths if you try. But in fair weather it's easy to add 20k/12 miles on the way home, traffic free.

big_slacker · « **Reply #44 on:** September 12, 2015, 07:26:31 AM »

8 miles each way, 30 there 40 back (hills!)

Like the op I have a motobecane cx bike. Great commuter!

Jack · « **Reply #45 on:** September 12, 2015, 07:55:13 AM »

I just started bike commuting on Thursday!

My commute is 6.5 miles each way (13 miles total) and takes me 45 minutes each way -- hopefully, that will decrease significantly once I get in better shape. It goes along moderately hilly city streets on each end, but has an almost-flat rail trail in the middle.

I'll be riding in almost all extremes of Georgia weather, which means 90+ degrees and humid in the summer, slightly below freezing in the winter, and occasional torrential downpours that can happen any time of year. If there's an ice storm, which only happens maybe once or twice a year, then I'll take transit that day.

My bike is an early-90s Specialized Hard Rock steel mountain bike with no suspension and slick (but wide) tires. I've also added full fenders and a rear rack with a pannier on one side and a fold-out basket on the other. Fully loaded, it weighs about 47 lbs.

Quote from: synonym on September 11, 2015, 05:09:39 PM

.5 miles each way. Downhill on the way to work, uphill on the way home Almost hardly worth getting the bike out

For me, after the time spent fumbling with the lock and such, that literally wouldn't be worth getting the bike out.

Urchina · « **Reply #46 on:** September 12, 2015, 05:54:30 PM »

Quote from: oneday on September 11, 2015, 01:20:47 PM

Urchina, I have a heavy, built-for-comfort bike too. It still does the job, and a lot faster than walking! It's a great choice if it suits your needs.

Oneday, I agree! I researched it for two years before buying it and we bought it on the premise that it was a minivan-replacement vehicle. It's been a champ.

Jeremy E. · « **Reply #47 on:** September 12, 2015, 08:45:30 PM »

Quote from: big_slacker on September 12, 2015, 07:26:31 AM

8 miles each way, 30 there 40 back (hills!)

Like the op I have a motobecane cx bike. Great commuter!

That's an awesome bike! much cooler than mine

KarefulKactus15 · « **Reply #48 on:** September 13, 2015, 12:51:17 AM »

Quote from: Ricky on June 16, 2015, 10:20:10 PM

I don't currently commute but I dream of the day when I live within a 3 mile radius of work and a grocery store.

Ricky I'm in the same boat as you, but right now I cant find a way to make the bike thing feasible. But man I sure would like to....

synonym · « **Reply #49 on:** September 13, 2015, 09:54:40 AM »

Quote from: Jack on September 12, 2015, 07:55:13 AM

Quote from: synonym on September 11, 2015, 05:09:39 PM
.5 miles each way. Downhill on the way to work, uphill on the way home Almost hardly worth getting the bike out

For me, after the time spent fumbling with the lock and such, that literally wouldn't be worth getting the bike out.

I hear ya, but for me since I bike everywhere riding to work is just a natural extension of that.

Locking is a 10s operation and the bike racks are tight next to the office back door.

Riding to work also makes it easier to do errands at lunchtime, or more usually ride home for lunch

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How long is your total(both ways) bike commute?

Author Topic: How long is your bike commute? (Read 18003 times)