Is a 16 mile commute doable for a new rider?

[Nigelnaturist]

@SweatyBits, I ride to Wakefield two or three rimes a week by the time I have finished it usually clocks up 30 miles ( I could do it all five if needed) but I am talking with a bit a bike fitness, however your young and the body adapts quickly at that age, I believe Wigan to be fairly flat but rises to Bolton ( I think everywhere rises to Bolton if I remember). Personally I would build up some road sense and just use the roads (but thats just me, we are all different), the A58 will always be a bad road its a major West-East road (Liverpool to Wetherby) a better option might be through Marylebone and Aspull direction draw back there is a touch more climbing and again the latter 4 or 5 miles are on busier roads, but if I remember the topography not hilly for that distance.

 

[united4ever]

not the cheapest but would an ebike be an option? Sounds like it would be quicker door to door than the train but not so taxing on your body.

 

[clippetydoodah]

It should be possible. I do 15 miles each way to work, when I can. It is flat though.
I was very imposed by the distance when I first started out a few months ago, but
it seems fine now I am used to it. I only have a cheap decathlon road bike that I got
off ebay for £80. It seems to do exactly what I need it to do. Go for it!!!

 

[keithmac]

A good e-bike would make it a lot more bearable, but all depends on budget really.

You could have the assit on for the hill climbing in the morning and then switch it off for the evening ride (mainly downhill?).

Wind is the main enemy when commuting by bike for me.

 

[H-Bomb]

I commute everyday but only have to do 14 miles. When I first started it took me about a month to get used to it. I do often wonder why the hell I do this and lie in bed dreading the journey. But try not to think about it too much :-)

 

[ianrauk]

I do often wonder why the hell I do this and lie in bed dreading the journey. But try not to think about it too much :-)

Really? Blimey...
I think I'm lucky in that I have never thought this in the last 10 years of cycle commuting a 32 mile round trip. The cycle commute is a highlight of the day.
I do get the odd day, usually in crappy weather where I think, gawd sake.. but, once on the bike, that all disappears.

 

[Leaway2]

CX bike or E bike. Is your new employer in the Cycle to work scheme? (mine isn’t ). You can pay from your wages. I don’t mind the rain but don’t do ice. As you are up in th' ills, you are likely to get more than us lowlanders, but I guess the train is always plan B

 

[H-Bomb]

Really? Blimey...
I think I'm lucky in that I have never thought this in the last 10 years of cycle commuting a 32 mile round trip. The cycle commute is a highlight of the day.
I do get the odd day, usually in crappy weather where I think, gawd sake.. but, once on the bike, that all disappears.

I think it has more to do with where I am going... In fact THAT is the only reason. In my last job I never had these feelings and I did it for 3 years. Yes I am looking for a new job ;-)

 

[Truth]

I think the best advice in all of these posts is to build it up!
I started my 12 mile each way commute 5 years ago and did it once a week, now its 3 or 4 times a week and I quite enjoy it now.
Worst thing you can do is go mad for it at first and then hate it for the pain you go through. .
Good luck anyway mate with the cycling and the job

 

[Brand X]

Hi Sweaty. The only way to find out is to try it. Borrow a bicycle from someone (you'd need to set the saddle up properly before you take it on a long ride like that or it will be murderously uncomfortable, it's a bloody long ride if the seat is too high or too low) and take it for a run; see what the route is like. If you find you can cope with it on your first run then sure, and it will get less and less difficult with practice.

If you're planning to do this for very long, i.e, into the Winter months, then either invest in some good clothing to protect you from the wind and rain, or forget it. It's not the rain that will get you, but the wind will make you turn back after less than 2 miles - and even if it doesn't you'll be haggard and exhausted at work. Do not underestimate how cold the wind can be, it will take your breath away.

I think your best option is to find someone to car-share with; take a look at your local Facebook groups and post a request - offer to go halves on petrol.
I don't know what time you go to work and come home but you might need to go to work with one person and go home with another person unless you get lucky and someone works in the same location and the same hours. Even if they can only take you part-way, you could get a bus the rest of the way or buy a folding bike that you can stick in the back of the car to get you the last couple of miles.

Personally I think riding in Summertime would be fine, but in the Winter months you really need a car.

 

[Leaway2]

Hi Sweaty. The only way to find out is to try it. Borrow a bicycle from someone (you'd need to set the saddle up properly before you take it on a long ride like that or it will be murderously uncomfortable, it's a bloody long ride if the seat is too high or too low) and take it for a run; see what the route is like. If you find you can cope with it on your first run then sure, and it will get less and less difficult with practice.

If you're planning to do this for very long, i.e, into the Winter months, then either invest in some good clothing to protect you from the wind and rain, or forget it. It's not the rain that will get you, but the wind will make you turn back after less than 2 miles - and even if it doesn't you'll be haggard and exhausted at work. Do not underestimate how cold the wind can be, it will take your breath away.

I think your best option is to find someone to car-share with; take a look at your local Facebook groups and post a request - offer to go halves on petrol.
I don't know what time you go to work and come home but you might need to go to work with one person and go home with another person unless you get lucky and someone works in the same location and the same hours. Even if they can only take you part-way, you could get a bus the rest of the way or buy a folding bike that you can stick in the back of the car to get you the last couple of miles.

Personally I think riding in Summertime would be fine, but in the Winter months you really need a car.

Burn the heretic!

 

[iggibizzle]

I went from nothing to having done 24,000mile in my 1st 2 years of riding. (Mostly commuting). It's only 7 mile each way but within a couple weeks I'd stopped wheezing and rarely been the direct route since!

 

[User16625]

Thanks for all the advice. I did the commute on the train today and it was pretty much empty this morning, but absolutely packed this evening. I doubt I'd get a bike on the train on the way back.

I think a good idea would probably be to bike part-way in the morning (almost all downhill), then jump on the train for the remainder of the journey. I'll attempt to ride home. I waited 45 minutes for a train after work today, then 20 minutes to Wigan and another 20 minutes or so on the bus. I could be home in that time on a bike. Riding home I'd only have the girlfriend to answer to if it's slow going and I'm late, rather than my manager.

Also get a bike with panniers. My commute is about 15 miles and I used to do it with a back pack. It is much, much more comfy to use panniers attached to the bike. A decent front light is essential too, I use a Cateye Volt 300 which is bright enough for both unlit road and canal towpath riding