Currently, on every other day I commute to work which is a distance of 18km each way. I enjoy this ride but next year I may be moving to a place which will be about 35km from work. Questions:
1) Would it still be reasonable to commute this kind of distance each way once I have moved?
2) Google maps estimates that this distance would take 2 hours to complete. Would it be possible (depending on the bike and fitness) to do this distance in about an hour?
2) Google maps estimates that this distance would take 2 hours to complete. Would it be possible (depending on the bike and fitness) to do this distance in about an hour?
Given that most commutes have a number stops, to ride 35 km in an hour you would be having to be averaging speeds around 40 kph+ when moving (likely more depending on the length of stops). This could be done by a very fit rider, on a TT bike every so often. To do this level of effort consistently 2-3 times every week, week after week, into head winds and rain, while carrying a load (e.g., lunch and cloths) is incredibly doubtful.
If you can't spare more time, one option could be some of the high performance pedalec bikes. Some of very high-end ones these can sustain speeds of 45 kph and have ranges up to 80-100km. A few of these also do a good job matching your input power the profile so that you do not notice the assist (you just feel faster). Because you still have to work with a pedalec, it is still possible to get a good workout by modifying the level of assistance.
One additional considerations are your local laws. For example, in Canada I believe pedalecs are legally limited to 32 kph. So a 45 kph pedelecs may be illegal unless registered as a moped! Although there may be legal loop holes with how the bike provides assistance (i.e., no throttle). I am no lawyer, so take this caveat with a grain of salt.
1) Maybe. It depends on you. Not everyone can afford that much time for their commute.
2) Probably not -- you need to average nearly 22 mph, which is a lot for commuting even on flat ground -- 15 mph ish is a more reasonable pace for a commuter on flat ground (I go at about 18 mph if I'm in a hurry, but my distance is much shorter and very flat). Google Maps is pretty good on expected time for commuting type riding, I've found. If you were to do it in an hour somehow (or even at 18 mph, which would be about 1 hour 15 minutes), you'd be sweaty and need to shower at work (probably). At 15 mph, you'd be taking about 1.5 hours. Expect slower speeds if you have hills or traffic or other holdups/slowdowns.
My commute is about 36K each way, and my office does not have shower facilities.
I live in an area with "OK" public transportation, and luckily the buses have bike racks. What I often do is take my bike on the bus to work, then ride home. I get a 36K ride afternoon ride in, and I'm not a sweaty mess at work.
Obviously this would depend on many factors specific to your situation, but it's worth considering.
I commute between two cities. Since its along a river its flat and there aren't many stops. <5 traffic lights on a 27 km ride. I needed more than one hour when I started but now I am consistently under an hour. I have an average speed of ~28km/h. Some people I sometimes ride with have to go through the cities, they are much fitter than me and are doing the 35 km/h in consistently in 1:20. Sometimes less.
1.) It is doable but you have too see it for yourself. Also shower at work is a must.
2.) An hour is too little for that way imo. Maybe you can get to an hour after a year or two but consistently? I don't think that is much fun.
Some tips: Find a group, talk to people you meet on the street and use Strava Flybys. Or consider an E-Bike.
Where I ride (hillyish Pacific NW in the US) I find that I can do about 75% of the time Google gives me. I'm not all that fast - on a good day I can do an 18.5 km commute with about 150 meters of climbing in just under an hour. Google estimates 1:23 for my commute. Based on my experience I'd be thinking that you're looking at something closer to 1:30 for your new commute.
