Biking Question

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?

no way dude.

You need to go ride the route on an off day to see how long it actually takes. Then you need to factor in some extra time to deal with rush hour traffic going to work and riding home. A 3 hour commute is a monster commute on a bike. So many things can go wrong in 3 hours. Flats, weather changes, rush hour traffic idiots, mechanical failures. Some, if not all that stuff, will happen. You gotta factor that time in as well.

Commuting 3 hours is a LOT different than going to ride for three hours. You are carrying work clothes, maybe a computer and/or smart phone, shoes, repair stuff, etc. Your bike will need lights for sure. It's a big load. Then you gotta clean up after work, then work, then get redressed to ride back home (in the same clothes you rode to work in = gross).

All this can be done. Plenty of people have big commutes by bike. But it takes a lot of planning to do it right and still be safe and productive in the rest of your daily endeavors. There are some good suggestions in here (bus train part way then ride the rest). I'd read up on one of the bike forums. They all have Commuting forums that can be a HUGE help. Roadbikereview.com is the site I frequent. Bikeforums.com has a communting section. There are certainly others if you Google a bit.

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.

Not really. You could buy a randonneur type bike, like the surly long haul trucker. that gives you the best of both worlds. And the geometry is different than the average road bike too, making for a more relaxed commute, especially a 6 hour round trip.

http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/touring-bikes-bicycles-made-specifically-for-long-distance-touring/

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.

There are a bunch. I've used both MyTracks and RunKeeper for android with good success. I'm sure spending a few minutes searching the market/store will give you some good results. They are all pretty straight forward.

OK, back to the OP... for those of you saying no... Why not? If he's got the time and the daylight, what's the problem?

I'd do it if I could!


I do like the recommendation to try it first on a weekend just to see how your body responds.

Most people who have said no have explained why they feel that way. The majority is for the time and daylight, and the rest for showering/personal hygiene at work, weight to carry, clothing changes, and contingency planning in case of the unavoidable (weather, flats, etc). It's possible his route would take him along a regular bus or train route, so he could jump on transportation whenever necessary. He could have a friend who lives next door who could give him a ride/carry his stuff if necessary.

Yes, if he covers all the bases and still wants to do it, I don't think anyone here would try to prevent him from trying, half the fun is in the try.

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.

Not really. You could buy a randonneur type bike, like the surly long haul trucker. that gives you the best of both worlds. And the geometry is different than the average road bike too, making for a more relaxed commute, especially a 6 hour round trip.

http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/touring-bikes-bicycles-made-specifically-for-long-distance-touring/

I don't think Jipples was talking about doing long distance touring, he was talking about having a desire to ride both on and off road with a bike. I think you may be confusing my reply to Jipples as a reply to the original poster, I myself would never try to ride a road bike for 6 hours....I'm no pro, 50 miles is about my max distance for a ride, I don't think I could take the seat for that long....I'd be bow-legged for a week! lol

You're right. However, 6 hours riding each day is bike touring length imo. And then, touring bikes are an underpublicized option.