Author Topic: Longer Bike Commutes are Better  (Read 6090 times)

greenbull

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Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« on: November 29, 2016, 09:50:17 PM »
I started with a 3-mile bike commute.  Which I thought was great, no need to drive, save $, etc.

Recently I moved and now I have 12-mile bike commute, which I cruise easily on my road bike in the summer, and push through the ice and snow on my fat-tire bike in the winter.  And who knew it would be so much better than that wussy 3-mile ride!?  Its so great I've turned down free rides home to bicycle instead.

With 12 miles I always get a great workout before and after work.  When people at work look/talk to me like i'm crazy I just tell them how badass it is being able to ride like that every day - the testosterone level in the room increases, and more work gets done that day!  Being engineers we need a good testosterone pump-up.

Knowing that I can do more miles has increased my flexibility; when I move again I know that I can look for a place further than before!

The only good thing about the 3-mile commute was that I passed by a workout gym with big open windows in the front.  I got the comic relief of people who had drove to a gym, got on an exercise bike, and would drive to work after.  I wonder if knocking out the middle man ever occurred to them.

PhoenixHeat

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2016, 07:27:46 AM »
Awesome! I imagine the daily workout to be invigorating at least and waist trimming also! I envy you because I drive to see customers each day and can't just bike to an office.

Great job.

Linea_Norway

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2016, 07:36:03 AM »
You get good exercise. My DH had a 25 or so km commute (about 16 miles) to work and doesn't want to cycle every day. But he does it 2-3 times a week and takes the train the other days.

HenryDavid

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2016, 08:04:29 AM »
Fer sher, as we say in Canada.
Going out of the way on the ride home is all part of the fun as well.
Once you've had a decent ride, the whole rest of the day is just sort of "extra." Whatever happens is fine.

greenbull

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2016, 10:04:55 AM »
Well johnanthny, I have to admit being a little envious of you.  I imagine that you either have a company car, or get reimbursed for mileage.  If your drives are short enough over all you probably don't spend as much time sitting around as me.  Being in an office seems good but sitting all the time is bad for your body.

Now if only we had some job openings for the right combination of exercising, family time, playing games, and doing interesting projects.

TheDeclutterer

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2016, 09:34:05 AM »
Good work on the 12 mile, same as mine exactly. Been hitting 2 to 3 times a week but have yet to hit it daily. Best time in high 30s, avg high 40s to keep the sweat down a tad.

GuitarStv

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2016, 10:10:10 AM »
Yeah, I really enjoy the 11 mile commute that I've had.  It's in the sweet spot, somewhere between:
- can't enjoy it it's too short and
- a bit too epic for daily riding

kudy

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2016, 10:22:47 AM »
I always get confused - when people say "12 mile commute" do they mean round trip or one-way? I have a 26 mile round trip ride to/from work - I've never been able to have the time/stamina to do it twice in one week, if you're riding something similar every day, that's definitely badass!

moof

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #8 on: December 03, 2016, 09:16:56 PM »
I hated my 3 mile commute (one way), just long enough to get sweaty, not long enough to get a real workout.

My new 7.5 mile commute seemed long, but I really like it now.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2016, 12:57:06 AM by moof »

HenryDavid

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2016, 08:43:16 AM »
That 26 mile round trip commute is pushing into bike-racer training territory. Not impossible by any means, but a lot bigger commitment than say half that distance.
With a gradual build up it is doable . . . the trick is organizing the gradual part.

justkeepswimmin

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2016, 01:36:55 PM »
Thank you for posting - this is just what I needed! I'm considering taking a new job and the only thing holding me back is my commute going from 4 miles one-way to 18 miles one-way. I've done 9 miles one-way before but never more than that. I think the job would be worth it, but that is pretty damn far. I'm also considering getting an e-bike but it's hard to find an inexpensive one with 35+mile range.

What do you long-biker-gurus think, should I suck it up and do the one-way 1 hr 30 on my current bike, buy for an ebike hoping I can get it down to 60 mins each way, or not take the job to keep my awesome commute? Would love some advice :/ And no, I can't move.

And I also laugh really hard at people who drive <10 miles to work then the gym and pay money to take a spin class :)

Syonyk

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #11 on: December 04, 2016, 07:05:02 PM »
What do you long-biker-gurus think, should I suck it up and do the one-way 1 hr 30 on my current bike, buy for an ebike hoping I can get it down to 60 mins each way, or not take the job to keep my awesome commute? Would love some advice :/ And no, I can't move.

I'd do an ebike for an hour a day time savings... you still get a quite good workout on one.

Quote
And I also laugh really hard at people who drive <10 miles to work then the gym and pay money to take a spin class :)

Least used equipment at the gym: The bike rack outside.  Funny, given how hard it is to find a stationary bike free at some gyms...

=============

My commute is about a 30 second walk across my property.  Can't beat it!

meghan88

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2016, 04:29:22 PM »
Facing another Canadian winter, my 3-mile bike commute is just tolerable.  It was -5C last week and some young guy asked me "how do you bike on a day like today?"  Answer:  "With my legs?"  But then again I am getting old (pushing 60 in a couple of years).  I can ride for miles in the summer and often take detours just for fun.

I once had a really awful 11-mile bike commute in Montreal, parallel to the Decarie Expressway but on/along side it for a few blocks, then through the industrial district near the Decarie circle, then along another highway to my job near the airport.  It was ugly, awful and dangerous at times, but it was still so much better than taking the "BMW" (BMW = Bus, Metro, Walking).

They don't always do that good a job clearing the snow in Montreal - check out this video from today's morning commute for a good laugh (or cry, if you're a taxpayer footing the bill for damaged buses and police cars):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BhhsEuYXZQ

Clown cars indeed.


PhoenixHeat

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2017, 09:50:59 PM »
Well johnanthny, I have to admit being a little envious of you.  I imagine that you either have a company car, or get reimbursed for mileage.  If your drives are short enough over all you probably don't spend as much time sitting around as me.  Being in an office seems good but sitting all the time is bad for your body.

Now if only we had some job openings for the right combination of exercising, family time, playing games, and doing interesting projects.
Get reimbursed for mileage which is good and necessary but I sit a lot! In the car, at the computer doing admin  work / preparation, etc. Then with the customers typically sitting! Sit sit sit. I feel so much better in all ways when I exercise regularly!

Apostrophe

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #14 on: January 05, 2017, 08:45:34 AM »
I think the job would be worth it, but that is pretty damn far. I'm also considering getting an e-bike but it's hard to find an inexpensive one with 35+mile range.

I commute to work on my ebike, and it was a revolutionary purchase for me. My commute is 18 miles each way, and I keep a charger at work to top off the battery there.

Everybody should ride one - a quality pedal assist bike is simply mind-blowing. It will inspire you to ride for distances you would never consider on a traditional bike, and in some areas can be a real car replacement.

Good luck,
Chris

bmiles62

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #15 on: January 06, 2017, 09:22:31 AM »
I agree with Apostrophe. My bike commute is 17 miles each way and I just charge my bike at work to make sure I have enough to get home. I just purchased my e-bike ($1800) in November and already have over 800 miles on it. It is great to arrive at work with a big grin on your face!

Loren Ver

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #16 on: January 06, 2017, 06:58:26 PM »
DH and I are on the market for a new house.  I do want one closer to where I work so I have the option of biking.  Most likely mine will end up in the 12 mile range each way.  I have a hybrid bike so it will make for a longer ride, but I am excited about it.

LV

chaseboy2010

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #17 on: January 06, 2017, 09:39:02 PM »
Nice greenbull! Not sure if I could do 12 miles. I commute 3.1 miles (each way) by bike daily. It's hilly and is anywhere from freezing in winter to sweltering in summer, so I'm happy its not longer. Takes about 20 minutes, which is slightly faster than the commuting by car due to horrific Atlanta traffic. If car commuting was quicker (I imagine it would be at 12 miles), I think I'd be tempted to drive on bad weather days or after a poor night of sleep.

EricNYC

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #18 on: January 07, 2017, 01:14:27 PM »
Definitely badass! I love posts like this. It's so much better for your mind, too. When I went to community college I used to walk from home to class and back (only about 4 miles total) in any weather. I loved it, it was calming, while driving saved a bit of time in exchange for pissing you off with traffic, red lights, and struggling for parking.

I think the more people that can walk or bike to work, the better. It makes people less rushed and neurotic, I find.

Personally I take mass transit to work, but it's a boat and it's free. If my circumstances change, I'm going to bike.

frompa

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #19 on: January 08, 2017, 05:36:22 PM »
For many years (15+) I had a ten mile each way bike commute and I loved it.  Moving closer to work, I lost that daily effort, and I still miss it.  Sure, I can go out and bike whenever I want, but there's something about the necessity of getting to and from work, and coming to take that twenty miles a day for granted, that was really fine.  Enjoy your ride!!

kissthesky

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #20 on: February 05, 2017, 04:29:45 PM »
I just purchased my e-bike ($1800) in November and already have over 800 miles on it. It is great to arrive at work with a big grin on your face!

This sounds awesome. What bike do you have?

bmiles62

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #21 on: February 06, 2017, 07:00:50 AM »
I just purchased my e-bike ($1800) in November and already have over 800 miles on it. It is great to arrive at work with a big grin on your face!

This sounds awesome. What bike do you have?

I went with the Radwagon from Rad Power Bikes. They have a commuter bike called the Radcity that would probably be a little better suited for just commuting but I like the Radwagon because my wife can ride on the back of it and we can haul a lot of stuff with it on the weekends. You can see the bikes here. https://www.radpowerbikes.com/ These bikes are a great entry point to electric bikes. I now have over 1200 miles on it and the only problem I have had was a couple of flats.

acroy

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #22 on: February 06, 2017, 07:26:55 AM »
Badass!
Mine is 'only' 7 miles each way, but I like ti a lot. Right about 1/2hr; so i get 1hr solid cardio every day.

ChpBstrd

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #23 on: February 15, 2017, 01:02:16 PM »
To those with bike commutes,

What sorts of elevation changes are we talking about? See google maps.

GuitarStv

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Re: Longer Bike Commutes are Better
« Reply #24 on: February 15, 2017, 02:00:22 PM »
To those with bike commutes,

What sorts of elevation changes are we talking about? See google maps.

My commute is almost pan flat except for the hill near work.  Google maps says it's a 208 ft climb up that hill.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!