Extended my bike range

[Gerard]

Last week, for the first time, I rode out from the end of the Toronto subway line to my mom's place in Georgetown and back in the same day (81 km). Today it struck me that this range makes huge areas of countryside available to me -- a sloppy semi-circle from western Oakville through Milton, Caledon, Newmarket, Goodwood, and Oshawa.

Obviously I'm not up in GtrSteve territory, but still, this is a big deal for me, because I don't drive a car and have assumed that some of those places are just not an option.

(I also learned that some suburbs take much better care of their bike systems than the supposedly-enlightened big city does, but that's a rant for another time...)

[FIREstache]

Congrats.  I worked myself up to rides of over 60 miles stopping only for short breaks on a hybrid bicycle when riding during various summers.  The hills are the worst.  I'm in my 50's, so that's good enough for me on a hybrid, but I haven't gotten over 40 miles yet this year, mostly due to lack of time with work, home, personal obligations, and disruptive weather conditions.

[soccerluvof4]

I rode all winter indoor doing spin classes trying to build up for the out doors. Unfortunately the upright hybrid Trek bike I bought doesnt have a mileage tach on it but I did go the other day pretty good for 2.5 hours for a ride with my son. It was hotter than all heck and I was junk afterwards because he pushed my old ass (54). Good to be out but Its on my list to add a tach for that and to keep my cadence inline. I attached my fitbit to my shoe laces but thats not accurate for that.

[EngagedToFIRE]

My hangup with the long rides is I feel it just takes too damn long! Not really the energy needed.  How do you cope with that aspect?

[Gerard]

My hangup with the long rides is I feel it just takes too damn long! Not really the energy needed.  How do you cope with that aspect?

Do you mean, if it gets boring? Luckily I'm into birding and gardening/farming, so for at least three seasons, I have something to look out for as I travel.

If you mean, it takes time out of my day, I'm probably not doing anything better with that time anyway (not sure what that would be... I kinda like riding my bike!). But I find I'm not wired to just "go out for a ride"... I need to have a destination or purpose.

[EngagedToFIRE]

My hangup with the long rides is I feel it just takes too damn long! Not really the energy needed.  How do you cope with that aspect?

Do you mean, if it gets boring? Luckily I'm into birding and gardening/farming, so for at least three seasons, I have something to look out for as I travel.

If you mean, it takes time out of my day, I'm probably not doing anything better with that time anyway (not sure what that would be... I kinda like riding my bike!). But I find I'm not wired to just "go out for a ride"... I need to have a destination or purpose.

Makes sense.  Maybe I should try and have more destinations in mind when I ride.  I did 20 miles the other day and as much as I love the trails and how pleasant the ride is, it feels like it takes forever!  It's probably my ADD.  I'm thinking maybe load up my panniers and take a little lunch to enjoy somewhere.  I've found myself more interested in doing the mountain bike trails (we have killer trails here) because it keeps me more entertained.  I'm just not sure how I would enjoy doing 50+ miles.  All a state of mind, I guess.  More power to ya.

[FIREstache]

My hangup with the long rides is I feel it just takes too damn long! Not really the energy needed.  How do you cope with that aspect?

That's the tough part for me.  An hour ride isn't so bad, but when I do those 2, 3, or longer hour rides, it really cuts into my time to do other things.  I'm not FIREd yet, so it's significant.

[EngagedToFIRE]

My hangup with the long rides is I feel it just takes too damn long! Not really the energy needed.  How do you cope with that aspect?

That's the tough part for me.  An hour ride isn't so bad, but when I do those 2, 3, or longer hour rides, it really cuts into my time to do other things.  I'm not FIREd yet, so it's significant.

I have the time, I just get bored and restless when doing the long rides.  I just got back from an hour ride, did one earlier today, too.  So I guess I'm capable of it sometimes.  I probably don't ride as much as I should, though.

[HenryDavid]

Way to go! It’s fantastic to realize that your on-bike world is getting bigger. When I lived in Toronto it was a breakthrough to realize that I could visit family in Hamilton, on the bike. It did mean leaving early in the morning on Sat. though, to avoid the worst traffic.

Have a look at all of the rail-trails around Hamilton and Cambridge, and bike routes north of Burlington around the escarpment. Or from Georgetown. Gorgeous territory as long as you stay out of the way of trucks—there are some gravel quarries up there. From the GO station in Aldershot, near Hamilton, you can do some fantastic rides. Freewheel bike shop in Dundas has a huge wall map of bike routes, if you are ever out there I think they have printed copies.

[kpd905]

Sometimes necessity can extend your range as well.  My biggest bike ride happened during college when I didn't own a car, and I decided to bike home for a long weekend.  I did 160 miles the first day, and 95 miles the second day to get home.  That second day was rough.

[Gerard]

HenryDavid, thanks for the suggestions/encouragement. wrt trucks, oddly, one of the big attitudinal breakthroughs for me was realizing that (non-highway) industrial/warehouse areas are actually a pretty good/safe way to get from one fun area to another... fairly limited traffic, and it's mostly professional drivers, who are generally less clueless than clown car drivers. So now that "wall" of big flat-roofed buildings through Mississauga/Brampton is way less intimidating.

kpd, you are a beast.