What is the length of your cycle commute?

[Fimbo]

I took advantage of the nice weather yesterday to test out a ride from Hertford to the City, approx. 25 miles. It's something I've been contemplating for a while to see if it is feasible and pratical as a daily commute.

I chose to avoid main roads wherever possible with my route involving some long up and down hill sections, the former reducing road speed considerably! It took me just under 2 hours door to door. As my level of fitness has dropped off since I last commuted by bike about a year ago (but then it was only 5 miles in and out per day) I'm guessing I could shave a bit of time but not sure what is realistic to expect.

Just wondering what distances folks on here commute by bike and how long it takes you (and how you would classify yourself in the fitness stakes (1 = I am as fit as a McDonalds happy meal; 10 = I'm the next wiggo).

Cheers

[Greendubber]

6 miles each way here, I'd say I'm a 6 out of 10 in the fitness scale

[Steve vRS]

11miles.

Tales me 40mins there and a little less home due to the return leg being slightly downhill. This is mainly on country roads.

I would say a 5-6 on the fitness scale.

Steve

[craigthecoupe]

12 miles each way for me, and im about a 5-6 in fitness. 45 min each way. it is very flat though.

[Johnny]

7.1 miles each way when I start up again in a month or so hopefully.

[T350 Al]

25km each way, pretty hilly route crossing the Old Severn bridge every day! PB is 43 mins, average is about 48mins each way. I actually moved house further away from work to have a longer ride in!

6.5/7 on fitness and certainly no slouch on a bike!

[uncinqsix]

7-8kms (5 miles in old money) depending on route, takes me about 17-19 minutes going in and around 32 minutes going home due to big hill.

Fitness level probably around 3 but improving steadily (I've only been at this a couple of months).

[AyBee]

7 miles, generally done as a sprint between lights woth full track starts

[Gargamel]

20.5 miles into the office one way, bit hilly too. I am around one hour and five minutes going in and about an hour tem coming home.

Two or three times a week, so far. I would like to do it five days once just to say I did it, but it isn't easy to find a week that's clear enough work wise.

[lynus2004]

5 mile short route but have a few loops to make the ride up to 30 miles if time permits

30 miles will usually take about 1hr 40

Not sure about the fitness scale - Race 3rd Cat so perhaps a 7-8?

[anonymous-user]

About 8-9 miles depending on route, usually takes 30-35 minutes moving time, plus any stops for traffic, usually about 40 minutes door-to-door. I ride a reasonable amount, I'd say I was 6/7 out of 10 on the fitness scale

http://app.strava.com/activities/51510212

[Ollerton57]

32 miles each way. Swinley forest to Mayfair. did it this week as an experiment (and training) and never again - cannot stand the traffic lights!!

[XG332]

15 miles each way, takes me 50 minutes on average.
I would rate myself 5/10
but im getting better

[Dowks]

40km each way, although only usually twice a week as work allows. A proper ride as I don't get any traffic/congestion until last 4-5kms.

[wotnot]

10 or 13 miles, depending on direct or scenic route. Takes between 33 and 45 minutes. I'd put my fitness level at about 6/10 as a cyclist and 10/10 compared to my fellow work colleagues!

[ewenm]

15.5 miles each way, traffic-free dedicated cyclepaths, takes just over 50mins.

Fitness: Fit for what? I can do a 10k run in 33 mins at the moment (PB of 30:50 from a few years ago) but cycling fitness is different. There's a guy I sometimes commute with who is a decent triathlete (qualified for age-group world champs) who murders me on the bike but I'm the better runner. Once you get to a certain level of all-round aerobic fitness, the specialism of your chosen sport kicks in making it very hard to compare across sports.

Edited by ewenm on Wednesday 1st May 09:00

[shouldbworking]

17 each way. 50/50 between busy road and dedicated cycle paths. Takes just over an hour on a cx bike. Probably class myself as a 7/10 fitness wise.

[stongle]

13miles, 42mins this morning. Thats going into the City from SE London / Bexley. You could ride the distance much quicker, but I'd rather arrive at work than end up "brown bread". Really, are commuting times a barometer of fitness? I'd class my fitness as 5, and would use weekend rides as a better measure of fitness. e.g. my Sunday ride was 48.5mile, 18mph average 4k ft climb.

[Vocal Minority]

As usual not as well as the guys here.

I usually go: home - 16 miles - train - 2.5 miles - office. Average of around 20 mph, but that is generally slightly downhill on the first part, average of 18 mph in the other direction on the way home.

Try and get it done twice or three times a week. Would say I am a 4 fitness wise.

[wotnot]

stongle said:

13miles, 42mins this morning. Thats going into the City from SE London / Bexley. You could ride the distance much quicker, but I'd rather arrive at work than end up "brown bread". Really, are commuting times a barometer of fitness? I'd class my fitness as 5, and would use weekend rides as a better measure of fitness. e.g. my Sunday ride was 48.5mile, 18mph average 4k ft climb.

I think it depends.
In your case it probably doesn't, because you're riding into the City. In my case, where a good deal of my commute is relatively rural and I have the option of varying the route, the time it takes day in and day out is, I think, a fairly good fitness barometer.
Just my opinion, obviously.