Biking Question

JonoK

So, I love biking. Last year I started biking to a job I had that took me 40 minutes to get to.

I now work a lot further away - but I am really tempted to bike there too. It would take me 3 hours.

Thoughts?

leilaphoenix

3 hours is pretty epic! Can you bike there and train back?

dbutorac

I am a biker also. However, in the winter months I can't ride. However, so far I have rode my bike in December 3 or 4 times & January 1 time. I am hopeful that the ice from the streets will be gone to at least ride one time in February. I think a 3 hour bike ride to work is way too much. I mean 3 hour there & there hours back. Maybe you could find a way to ride a bus one way & ride home. Also I am thinking of getting some glasses specifically for bike riding, do you wear anything special?

KineticPearl

Or get a train until you are 40-50 minutes away?

ElementalEscapee

Three hours each way? Daaang. I'd probably drive there one day with my bike, leave my car there (if that's possible), bike back, bike to work the next day, then drive home that day with bike and.....err....lol well I'd just alternate days biking, three hours is a long *kitten* time....it would cut into my working/sleeping/recreational time way too much.

staceyseeger

I would ride the 30 mile trip to work, if it wasn't all interstate highways. :grumble: :grumble: :grumble: And if there were facilities available to freshen up A LOT.

Good luck on your decision! And be safe! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

frenchchip

It's always great to push yourself. That said, with 6hrs a day devoted to a workout/commute I'd say once a week at the most...maybe even every two weeks and try to shave some time off your previous ride.

bethmags

I wouldn't say it's impossible but take into account your work setting. Do you have a shower available and a place to keep clothes? Are you in casual wear or business attire? Would you be too tired to work if you did bike that long? Would you be able to make it home after a long day at work? Is there someone who is willing/able to pick you up if you don't make it all the way for one reason or another? Are the roads safe for a biker during commute times? These are all questions you should be asking to make a decision.

Tracey_Smith

Are we talking 3 hrs one way or round trip? If round trip, why not?? It's only about 25 / 30 miles? That's the trip from my house to work and I'll be doing that most days come the milder weather.

If it's 3 hrs one way, not a chance. You'd be shattered for work and then tired coming back home. Save your 6 hour rides for your days off x

MaximalLife

If you can swing it - YES!
Just make sure you're eating back all those calories and drive some days to give your body rest.
You don't want to end up one of those little, shriveled shrimp looking guys.

HauteP1nk

Three hours total for the day? Or three hours there and three hours back? That is a lot of biking...but maybe once a week do that...that would be intense.

Or you could bike there and then take a bus back...? Although depending on where you live I know during rush hour some busses do not allow people to hop on with their bikes.

junyr

I am a biker also. However, in the winter months I can't ride. However, so far I have rode my bike in December 3 or 4 times & January 1 time. I am hopeful that the ice from the streets will be gone to at least ride one time in February. I think a 3 hour bike ride to work is way too much. I mean 3 hour there & there hours back. Maybe you could find a way to ride a bus one way & ride home. Also I am thinking of getting some glasses specifically for bike riding, do you wear anything special?

Give these a look. I don't have a set yet, but giving them a serious look.

http://barmitts.com/

nurseloopy

I am slowly building my fitness to be able to cycle the commute of 20 miles to work (40 miles round trip). I definitely think you could do it. You just need to slowly increase your fitness and make sure you don't overtrain. When I am up to commuting my 40 miles I will definitely be having total rest days when I am not working . I know people who cycle 35 miles to work and 35 miles back so it can be done :bigsmile:

Jipples

I'd love to get a good bike....but at 6'-3" and a needing to drop about 60lbs, I can't help but feel like I'd look like a big goober on a bike. Lol

I'll prolly still get one tho.

Kamalka

I would love to do it...but (have you notice there is always a "but"?) I sweat so much after exercising 5 minutes, how do you handle the smell with your collegues? I am ready to drop my salary by 20% if they give me access to a shower. I dream of getting to my job running or biking. Once I worked closed to a swimming pool, it was awesome to swim every morning before starting the day...

junyr

I'd love to get a good bike....but at 6'-3" and a needing to drop about 60lbs, I can't help but feel like I'd look like a big goober on a bike. Lol

I'll prolly still get one tho.

IMO, no one trying to improve themselves is a big goober...

I saw a think the other day that said: "For you to insult me I'd first have to value your opinion". Who cares what strangers think...

With that being said You'd need a bike with a frame size in the 20/21 inch range. And remember the cheapest bike from your local bike shop is far superior to the most expensive department store bike.

jacksonpt

Why wouldn't you? If you've got the time and the daylight (or lights to keep it safe), what's the issue? I'd kill to be able to ride to work more often, and I intentionally take the long way there.

porffor

Could you do a short day and use that day to cycle? Just wondering if that would allow you the challenge but without doing it every day?

Jipples

I'd love to get a good bike....but at 6'-3" and a needing to drop about 60lbs, I can't help but feel like I'd look like a big goober on a bike. Lol

I'll prolly still get one tho.

IMO, no one trying to improve themselves is a big goober...

I saw a think the other day that said: "For you to insult me I'd first have to value your opinion". Who cares what strangers think...

With that being said You'd need a bike with a frame size in the 20/21 inch range. And remember the cheapest bike from your local bike shop is far superior to the most expensive department store bike.

Nah, I don't really care what others think bud....that's why I said I'll prolly still get one. We have a local bike shop here that I'll go to to "get fitted". I don't mind paying the money. Any suggestions on a brand?

junyr

I'd love to get a good bike....but at 6'-3" and a needing to drop about 60lbs, I can't help but feel like I'd look like a big goober on a bike. Lol

I'll prolly still get one tho.

IMO, no one trying to improve themselves is a big goober...

I saw a think the other day that said: "For you to insult me I'd first have to value your opinion". Who cares what strangers think...

With that being said You'd need a bike with a frame size in the 20/21 inch range. And remember the cheapest bike from your local bike shop is far superior to the most expensive department store bike.

Nah, I don't really care what others think bud....that's why I said I'll prolly still get one. We have a local bike shop here that I'll go to to "get fitted". I don't mind paying the money. Any suggestions on a brand?

Pretty much all the bikes even in the bike shops are made in taiwan or china, there will be little getting around that if you care about those things. They're great frames made to company standards and all that.... I'm in the market myself and haven't really settled on my new bike yet either. If you're looking at mountiain bikes go grab this months "mountain bike action" magazine. There's a good buyers guide in there that talks about what to expect in certain price ranges, frame matereals, components and all that. I'm leaning toward a specialized "Carve" 29er myself so far.

Jipples

I'd love to get a good bike....but at 6'-3" and a needing to drop about 60lbs, I can't help but feel like I'd look like a big goober on a bike. Lol

I'll prolly still get one tho.

IMO, no one trying to improve themselves is a big goober...

I saw a think the other day that said: "For you to insult me I'd first have to value your opinion". Who cares what strangers think...

With that being said You'd need a bike with a frame size in the 20/21 inch range. And remember the cheapest bike from your local bike shop is far superior to the most expensive department store bike.

Nah, I don't really care what others think bud....that's why I said I'll prolly still get one. We have a local bike shop here that I'll go to to "get fitted". I don't mind paying the money. Any suggestions on a brand?

Pretty much all the bikes even in the bike shops are made in taiwan or china, there will be little getting around that if you care about those things. They're great frames made to company standards and all that.... I'm in the market myself and haven't really settled on my new bike yet either. If you're looking at mountiain bikes go grab this months "mountain bike action" magazine. There's a good buyers guide in there that talks about what to expect in certain price ranges, frame matereals, components and all that. I'm leaning toward a specialized "Carve" 29er myself so far.

Cool deal....I appreciate it.

OP, sorry for hi-jacking the thread. :bigsmile:

jacksonpt

I'd love to get a good bike....but at 6'-3" and a needing to drop about 60lbs, I can't help but feel like I'd look like a big goober on a bike. Lol

I'll prolly still get one tho.

IMO, no one trying to improve themselves is a big goober...

I saw a think the other day that said: "For you to insult me I'd first have to value your opinion". Who cares what strangers think...

With that being said You'd need a bike with a frame size in the 20/21 inch range. And remember the cheapest bike from your local bike shop is far superior to the most expensive department store bike.

Nah, I don't really care what others think bud....that's why I said I'll prolly still get one. We have a local bike shop here that I'll go to to "get fitted". I don't mind paying the money. Any suggestions on a brand?

Road or mountain? If road, fit is pretty much the only thing that matters. If mountain, you have a lot more leeway. Don't spend extra money on the drivetrain (shifters, derailleurs) as they wear out fast and are relatively inexpensive to replace/upgrade later. Get a good frame and good wheels. If it's a mountain bike, better suspension is worth paying for too... especially with more adjust-ability... adjustable suspension will be more flexible as you lose weight.

jacksonpt

Pretty much all the bikes even in the bike shops are made in taiwan or china,

That's not really true. Sure, the more consumer oriented/mass produced bike are, but there are a lot of manufacturers that still make all their own frames, some by hand using custom geometry/materials (those these get expensive fast).

Jipples

I'd love to get a good bike....but at 6'-3" and a needing to drop about 60lbs, I can't help but feel like I'd look like a big goober on a bike. Lol

I'll prolly still get one tho.

IMO, no one trying to improve themselves is a big goober...

I saw a think the other day that said: "For you to insult me I'd first have to value your opinion". Who cares what strangers think...

With that being said You'd need a bike with a frame size in the 20/21 inch range. And remember the cheapest bike from your local bike shop is far superior to the most expensive department store bike.

Nah, I don't really care what others think bud....that's why I said I'll prolly still get one. We have a local bike shop here that I'll go to to "get fitted". I don't mind paying the money. Any suggestions on a brand?

Road or mountain? If road, fit is pretty much the only thing that matters. If mountain, you have a lot more leeway. Don't spend extra money on the drivetrain (shifters, derailleurs) as they wear out fast and are relatively inexpensive to replace/upgrade later. Get a good frame and good wheels. If it's a mountain bike, better suspension is worth paying for too... especially with more adjust-ability... adjustable suspension will be more flexible as you lose weight.

I'd actually like something that would be good, or at least decent, for both. I'd like to be able to do a little off road if I'd feel inclined.

jacksonpt

If it's mainly going to be used on roads with some light trail use, I'd look at a CX bike. It looks like a road bike, but has been beefed up to handle some trail use.

If it's going to get more serious trail use, I'd look at a hardtail that you can put slicks on for road use. This is how I got into road riding.

Jipples

If it's mainly going to be used on roads with some light trail use, I'd look at a CX bike. It looks like a road bike, but has been beefed up to handle some trail use.

If it's going to get more serious trail use, I'd look at a hardtail that you can put slicks on for road use. This is how I got into road riding.

Sweet....hell, I'm going look today.

Ant_M76

C'mon OP, is it 3hrs each way or return trip...? Enquiring minds need to know

It's going to depend on availability of time, if nothing else. Can you get out of bed at 5am and be happy to arrive home late in the evening? 6hours a day commuting is sheer mentalism but perhaps once a week is ok. 3 hours is pushing it every day, imho.

junyr

Pretty much all the bikes even in the bike shops are made in taiwan or china,

That's not really true. Sure, the more consumer oriented/mass produced bike are, but there are a lot of manufacturers that still make all their own frames, some by hand using custom geometry/materials (those these get expensive fast).

Yeah, I was just speaking in the "regular guy" price range though, not competition prices.

willwhite78

I'd actually like something that would be good, or at least decent, for both. I'd like to be able to do a little off road if I'd feel inclined.

I know you've already gotten an answer on this, but I thought I'd toss in my two cents.

I ride a road bike, a 2009 Felt F95 Garmin Team Edition that I got a HUGE discount on in the 2010 year at my LBS. It was the last one they had and they couldn't get rid of it because it was an odd size. I'm also an "odd" size. So I picked it up and it's been the best purchase I've made in a LONG time.

That being said, I can ONLY ride it on the road. We live in an area with lots of trails and hills/mountains with off-road possibility. I would have liked to have gotton more of a Cross Country style of bike, but I'll prob. end up just buying a mountain bike to replace my old "Hybrid" bike.

My boss did buy a Cross Country style of bike, he got a Giant "Roam" I believe. He's able to take it on the rail trail (gravel) but I don't think it would do too well on mountainous terrain. Now when we ride on the road, I burn past him and have to slow down for him to catch up, but I could never follow him off-road.

So it's a trade off, on-road speed for versatility I suppose.

willwhite78

So, I love biking. Last year I started biking to a job I had that took me 40 minutes to get to.

I now work a lot further away - but I am really tempted to bike there too. It would take me 3 hours.

Thoughts?

I think 3 hours each way would be crazy. I've ridden to work a couple of times, it takes me an hour to an hour 15 to get there using some back roads to avoid the "commuter" highway traffic. I also have access to a full locker room/shower facility and have no dress code (I can wear shorts in the summer).

I'd be a bit afraid of the drowsy drivers at 5:30 AM. Back roads just wouldn't feel as safe considering all of the DWI's I see at 5 AM either...drunks tend to avoid the highways.

Jipples

So I went look, and ended up buying. Lol Bought a 21" TREK 3500D. I think it'll be perfect for me......can't wait to go ride! Now, anyone wanna suggest a good gps app or something I can track my distance and speed with?

Again, sorry OP......your input would be appreciated as well.