How far can I really commute?

malcsussex

Currently commute 10 miles each way. Job change is to London....Could I even contemplate a 30 mile route each way???

Does anyone do that kind of thing? Any suggestions very welcome

pangolin

You seem to be contemplating it

If I were you I'd try in on a non work day. Cycle in, pootle about a bit then cycle back. I average 15mph commuting in London so if you're similar it would be about 2 hours each way.

Could maybe do it couple of times a week if it's too much to do every day? (which it might we ll be)

Corporate Camper

I live 60 miles from London, I normally drive in but I've recently started parking in a side-street 20 miles out and cycling from there (not every day though), is that an option?

malcsussex

Corporate Camper wrote:

I live 60 miles from London, I normally drive in but I've recently started parking in a side-street 20 miles out and cycling from there (not every day though), is that an option?

Now I had noth thought of that...Cracking idea there is a big hill to get up could leave the car just beyond that!!!

Ta v much!

itboffin

I now do 45-50 miles a day 5 days a week, I started off at 12 miles 3 days a week, then 30 miles 3-4 days a week.

It's been an interesting journey along the way i've lost 3 stone and gained 8 bikes

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15522686#15522686

fossyant

I started doing this in my last job - even on a good run, it's a long day..... Even riding the 30 miles in 1.30 to 1.40 ended up leaving home at 6.30, and not getting in till 7 - depends upon family commitments.

Some of the suggestions about either rail or car driving part of it seem do-able

Aidy

I say it's doable, but requires commitment.

_Brun_

malcsussex wrote:

...there is a big hill to get up could leave the car just beyond that!!

And rid yourself of the pleasure of descending it every evening?

prawny

If you can spare the time why not give it a crack? I do 20 miles each way, I think 30 would be do-able you'd just need to take your time over it so you don't burn out horribly

cjw

I've just started doing 30 each way, but only do this 2 days a week (the rest of the time I'm not in the home office). Takes me about 1 hour 30 mins. So it is doable.

bomberesque

Corporate Camper wrote:

I live 60 miles from London, I normally drive in but I've recently started parking in a side-street 20 miles out and cycling from there (not every day though), is that an option?

nice one! I do the same living in Brussels and working 75 km away in Antwerp

• saves fuel and wear on the car
• if you're lucky lets you miss a stressfull part of your commute (for me the Antwerp ring and c/centre)
• adjustable; you can ride 2 days a week to start and ramp up to 4/5 then extend by finding somewhere a little closer to home to park

Paulie W

30 is doable - I did a daily 60+ mile round commute in West Wales (so very hilly) for a little over 6 months a few years back and have had 40+ mile commutes for most of the last ten years.

But it does take a completely different mindset if you are going to do it regularly: it's one thing dragging yourself on to the bike for a 5 miler on a dark wet windy morning, it's another when 30 miles lie ahead of you, so you have to be pretty driven to keep going with it.

Also, as someone intimated it is time rather than distance that is the issue. You will have to commit something like 4 hours of your day (probably longer if you think in terms of door to desk because you'll need to shower when you get to work after a 30 miler and probably eat breakfast which adds 20-30 minutes to the process) to the commute.

Oh and then there's the boredom. Not always but once you've cracked it physically I find long commutes get very dull very quick.

All this sounds very negative but the plusses are many: you will get very fit quite quickly without really trying, you will feel smug and virtuous, you will receive many admiring glances and will get used to the gasps of colleagues when you mention in passing just how you get to work.

UndercoverElephant

_Brun_ wrote:

malcsussex wrote:

...there is a big hill to get up could leave the car just beyond that!!

And rid yourself of the pleasure of descending it every evening?

Just leave the handbrake off.

Mike Howarth

Like the others have said its more than doable but does requires some application.

The thing is you don't need to do it all at once, build up to it either by taking the train in one leg or driving part of the way.

I do a 52 round trip which was a massive step up from my previous 14 mile round trip and took a bit of getting my head around.

First I drove the leg in to work and rode home and rode back the next day - you get the idea. Then I switched to catching the train part way in to work so did 8 miles on the way in and 26 miles home and then just switched to doing it both ways.

Once you've cracked the journey there and back you can begin to add on extra days or mix it up.

I only do a couple of days commuting the full distance in and back as I also get out fell running during the week with my club so its not really practical to do a 52 mile commute and then go out on a club run. Maybe one day though.

c12345

I do a 48 -> 50 mile round trip 5 days a week at about 20mph average speed. Basically, it costs an extra hour each day over a car journey, but returns low travel costs, plenty of exercise, an intact scalp, and a big grin on my face.

Fitness comes after about 2 months, but it sounds like you`re already ahead of the game. I say go for it. Throw yourself in at the deep end, and soon whilst there is still warm weather. Strangley, its easier to go the extra distance because it seems more worthwhile getting wet on a 30 miler than a 5 miler?

You want to have some miles behind you though because it takes dedication to get through the simultanious rain, wind and cold in the winter. any two of the three is ok, but all at once and I have sense of humour failure.

Good luck.

FeynmanC

I tried my 26 mile commute into work for the 2nd time today, this time taking 2 inner tubes (after 2 visits from the P*nct*re Fairy last time and needing to be picked up 8 miles from work).

I made it. On time (a few mins early actually) and it felt great!

I decided borrow a van to drive home, partly not to push myself too hard too soon, partly cos I was knackered after a long week (three 13 hr days earlier on) and partly so The Lady could have the car on Monday, as she's taken a day off work, which means she can go off and explore / take dogs for stomps in woods and do any manner of other things (brownie points for me )

Stats:
26.11 miles
Average speed 14.5mph
Top speed 25.7mph
Time 1h48

I'll drive back in on monday and ride home in the afternoon, hopefully with no problems as I've got a dentist appointment to get to.

It's so good to see all you guys that do long commutes and survive, and get your take on things going forwards as I'd like to do it at least 3 times a week, though the thought of a cold wet winter day isn't really appealing to me at present :?

toshmund

I do 35 miles a day. Do use the car if the weather is terrible though. I don't mind cycling home from work in the rain, but it is a logistics nightmare arriving soaking wet. Been on the summer "country roads route" for the past few months, which has been lovely. Will soon be back to the traffic lights and city centre route, which means more time.

I don't save anything, I just think "Oh I have saved that in diesel" and buy some lame kit on e.bay with the proceeds.