help, Is my cycling commute to work realistic?

Question

i am 23 years old, i have the athletic type of body just not in shape right moment. i am trying to transition from driving my car to possibly riding a bicycle to work every day. It is about 11 miles away. i have never tried cycling or long distance biking at all. i obviously know how to ride a bike, so my question is just how realistic is me riding a bike to work everyday in the next month. can i persay, be riding my bike the first week of january? assuming the wether is appropriate, i live in california. the ride would have to be around 4am because i go in at 5am everyday. but i think the ride is long enough to get a nice work out and save some money in gas. so my question is not advise on what bike to get or equipment. my question is, is 11 miles a realistic commute everyday starting the first week of january?. i need all the help and advise i can get. will i get that tired on a bicycle? i repeat i have never traveled this long on a bike but i mean i am not overweight. thank you. :)

i am not in rought terrain, it is all city and pretty safe to ride, not that many cars at 4am. 97% i would say is flat safe street (long stretch main street)

Answer 1

The distance is not an issue, especially since it's fairly easy terrain (you're saying maybe 90+ percent flat and on city streets).

Since you're starting from basically little or no "steady" cycling background, allowing yourself an hour to make the trip is a good idea. If you're riding a road bike or a commuter style, you'll find you've gots lots of time. It might be a little closer with a mountain bike ... more from the gearing and the rolling resistance than from anything else.

Things to consider (particualrly for a 4AM start):
- - refelctive vest or other clothing (Better to be seen!)
- - lights, both headlight (white) and taillight (red)
- - helmet
- - somewhere to stash your bike upon arrival
- - consider your work clothes situation and availability of showers (or at least a bathroom where you can wipe down).

If there are lockers available to employees, get one. Store a couple day's worth of clothes there as a minimum (preferably a week's worth), and just bring home the dirty stuff at workday's end. Makes the incoming trip easier, and you'll get less sweaty than lugging a backpack or messenger bag over your shoulder.

Make sure you know the route! It's really bad form to get lost and be late for work, just because you've changed your mode of transport!

Also be sure that you're allowed to ride your bike on ALL portions of your route; for example, if you have to make a dash down the expressway from Exit 1 to Exit 2 - you won't be able to do this on the bike.

Lastly - the roads are going to be empty and the riding easy at 4 AM on the way in ... but what's it going to be like on the ride home? Be prepared for more traffic, as a minimum.

Other than that - go for it! (My own commute is about 18 miles each way, and takes about an hour on a road bike.)

Answer 2

11 miles should be no trouble. I commute every day in upstate NY when the weather is cooperating. Normally, my morning commute is about 14 miles. In the summer when I don't have to get my son on the school bus, I have a route that is 35 miles (if I can refrain from hitting the snooze bar too many times!), it takes about 2 hours.

What you can do is try the commute on the weekend and see how long it takes you. Then you can figure on about what time you need to leave the house. You will need to figure an extra 10 or 15 minutes in case you get a flat tire and give yourself time to change when you get to work. The first few times you ride in, you may feel a little tired, but the more you do it, the easier it will become.

Also, if you're leaving at 4am, you will need to get a good light system; check with your local bike shop for options. A reflective vest and leg bands wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

Answer 3

Being young and athletic, 11 miles on fairly flat terrain should be no problem. If you want to be nice to your body, between now and January you ought to start doing some riding. Personally, I'd start out riding 10-12 miles 3-4 times per week and work up to 25, or so, miles over the next month. This way, when you do that first 22 mile round trip, it won't seem tough, at all. Even if you don't have the opportunity to work out between now and January, it'll still be doable. A 22 mile round trip isn't that big a deal. Do expect to have sore muscles and a sore bottom for a week or two, though.

I know you didn't ask about equipment, but do be sure to get a headlight and tail light for your bike. A bit of reflective materials on your clothes is good, as well. Visibility to automobiles is critical in the darkness.

Hope this helps you.

Answer 4

11 miles of easy terrain is not long if you ride regularly. A 23 yo, athletic type guy will get used to it quickly. The 4 am thing I can't comment on for sure. I don't live in CA. I live in MI and I wouldn't think of it in January here. I answered a question of yours before... I may have stated that in the early morning (around me) it's very common for cool temps and a lot of dampness in the air even in summer. 4am is the coolest part of the day. Try driving to work tomorrow with the window down. That will give you a clue as to what the weather will be like.

As for concern about 11 miles. I suggest, stop asking about it - get on your bike this afternoon and do 11 miles - then you'll know. If you're not willing to ride today to gain info., you won't get up and ride in at 4am any other time for certain.

Who knows if you will like riding that early or if you like the cool 4 am temps in January or will tolerate riding home in the heat of the summer. I'll tell you who... YOU. This is so easy to verify yourself.

Answer 5

When I was 22 to when I turned 24, I used to ride my bike from my home in Anaheim, CA to work in Costa Mesa, CA daily for a year and a half. It was 18 miles one way so I know you can do a 22 mile roundtrip ride. After a week or two of doing it, you will notice that it will take you hardly anytime at all to complete.

Answer 6

11 miles is very reasonable. Do a dry run on a non-work day in December to make sure you will get to work on time.

It will be dark at 4:00 AM. Be very visible. Have lights and a reflective safety vest (not expensive at all). Reflectors in the spokes are only good for lighting from the side. I put reflective tape on the inside for 1/3 of the circumference of each rim and on the crank arms to be more visible to cars coming up from behind.

HTH

Answer 7

I think that maybe you just need to consider your work attire (does your job require a tie and suit), if you can leave your bike in a safety location, and if they have showers.

The deal is if you get on time but sweaty, and you can't take a shower then you'll probably feel unconfortable all day.

Some people that commute to work and can have a shower, or it's just a short distance, might drive one time per week to drop off some clothes and the other days just ride in sports clothes.

Answer 8

I would say get some rain gear and some fenders for your bike and go for it. What do you have to loose? Try it on a day off, just as a trial run see how long it takes and how pooped you are. Oh yeah, I almost forgot if you are riding that early, get some lights for your bike too. I would love to be able to commute by bike.

Bassman

Answer 9

11 miles one way in the morning and then another 11 miles after work right?
I think you are going to do very well. 11 miles each way is very reasonable, especially if you are going to have 6 to 8 hrs in between to rest from your ride in the morning.
The time will come when you are going to want to change jobs and find one that is at least 20 miles away so you can have more fun biking in the morning and coming back home.

Answer 10

The distance is not unreasonable at all. My youngest kid is older than you and my commute's a lot longer, although I have to make concessions to weather here in Illinois.

A few things you need to think about:

Getting cleaned up and dressed once you get there

Lights. You'll be riding in the dark most of the time, so flashers in the rear and decent headlight are an absolute must.