I want to start riding a bike to work. My job is 6 Miles (approx) from my house. Gas prices are too much for me! How long do you think it will take me?
2006-07-25 18:30:20 · 15 answers · asked by Lost in thought 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
congrats for biking to work. You'll save time and money, and get fit too.
First some suggestions not necessarily in this order:
* test drive it first ;-)
on a weekend or day off, try your route. you don't have to leave at 0-dark 30, take a Saturday or Sunday, have coffee, read the paper, walk the dog, grab a bite to eat, look at your watch and head out the door.
Observe places you could stop for coffee, how's the route, look for hazzards...relaxe, it's the weekend and when you arrive near work stop the clock and reward yourself!! Stop for a bite, congratulations, rest, then head back. time that tool
It may be faster to bike!! no hunting for parking etc but time it. You don't want to find that you'll be late on a day to work so experiment.
* get a helmet. Can't stress that enough.
* Don't ride your bike the same route you would drive. think side streets parallel streets bike path etc.
Hence the test ride.
Taking parallel or side streets will be faster, safer, deffinately more fun, scenic even. Don't bike the same route you drive.
Bikes are traffic, same rights rules AND RESPONSIBILITIES so as you plan your route remember to ride with teh flow of traffic, you need to be on the right hand side.
GO TO YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP they will have maps of bike routes, contact your local bike club they will help you too.
* prep your bike the night before. We're creatures of habit, regardless of the expense if you wake up and the tires are low and you can't find the floor pump YOU WILL DRIVE.
I lay out the clothes the night before, pump the tires to the right pressure....roll outa bed and ride it's all there. Speaking of which...
* Get a floor pump, mini pump, patch kit, CO2 kit, everything you need to fix a flat. go to your local bike store and or bike club, learn what you need and how to use it.
Prevent flats in the first place by avoiding glass and .... pump your tires to the right pressure before EVERY ride.
* Keep you bike clean and lubed it's easy to do. Same resource as above.
* clothes: 6 miles for me is not enough for me to even get warmed up and my job does not face the public but .... I still change clothes. on the bike I wear wicking fabrics (not a jersey) that wicks sweat and keeps me feeling dry.
In a pack I carry a change of clothes so I arrive at work bright eyed and awake, at my desk I keep everything to kinda freshen up, change of shirt then end of the day back into the wicking shirt/jersey. Once a week I do drive to work and .... carry any laundry home.
* food: your body now needs fuel, remember to carry and eat healthy snacks, keep fed and hydrated.
* Congratulations. Riding to work even once a week you may loose 15 lbs without changing anything!!! and typicly save $1,500 a year in car expenses too!!
2006-07-26 02:41:48 · answer #1 · answered by snip 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you've been riding a while, about half an hour. Your first time out, you might want to do a practice run or leave earlier than you think you'd need to. If you haven't been cycling in a while, you'll take a lot longer at first, because you haven't built up those cycling muscles yet.
Good luck with the cycling. It's great exercise, saves on gas, and affords a new perspective on the city streets.
2006-07-26 01:38:58 · answer #2 · answered by Rondo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congrats to you! That is a great choice just if more people did that now GREAT! Anyway it will depend on the weather, what path you take, what gear speed, how much energy you have, and if there is a hill straight up and down or you are just costing most of the time. You can get a meter that will clip on to your bike and keep track of your miles so you could try and see but your times will probably vary. GOOD LUCK!
2006-07-26 21:48:54 · answer #3 · answered by Golden Ivy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I lived in the city and would bike to a friend's house 5 miles each day. I would bike very fast and could bike 5 miles in 20 minutes. I would be very sweaty and out of breath though.
2006-07-26 01:35:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming your job requires you to not look like you just worked out on your way in I would allow at least 45 minutes at first especially if there are any lights or stop signs in this 6 mile stretch. Over time you will determine how fast you can get there based on the traffic and your fittness.
2006-07-26 08:49:23 · answer #5 · answered by SoccerClipCincy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a leisurely pace on a bike is 10 to 12 miles per hour, so it should not take you any longer than 30 minutes... after you are riding for a few days, you will get faster and stronger...
2006-07-26 09:54:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
how fast are you going? If you ride 6 mph- then an hour!
You could take an off day and ride the route and time yourself.
2006-07-26 01:35:05 · answer #7 · answered by mominshoe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wait until your next off day and ride it and time yourself. if it's under ideal circumstances(good bike, flat level ground, your in decent shape, not much traffic or red lights to slow you down) should take 15 to 20 minutes
2006-07-26 18:52:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It shouldn't take longer than like 15-20 minutes unless its uphill the whole way or something.
2006-07-26 01:34:01 · answer #9 · answered by bombhaus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
20 to 25 minutes
Assuming traffic and lights
2006-07-26 09:07:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋