Attainable Goal??

[rubysoho]

I'm not completely out of shape but because of general happenings in life I had to put away my bike for almost two years just shortly after purchasing it. I'd say I am still an inexperienced rider. Went out for 5 miles yesterday and am doing pretty good today so can definitely up the mileage (still trying to find my padded shorts!!! ).

Anyway, the National Bike to Work Week is coming up. I'm thinking I'd like to give it a try. There are a few bike paths I can connect and minimal amounts of riding with traffic (though where it would happen is a heavy traffic area so I'm thinking about rerouting that part to avoid the tiny bridge in a very busy commute area).

It would be about 12 miles, one way, on bike (according to google maps). 24 miles in one day. Bike Week is 3 weeks away - I think. Does that seem like a doable goal? I don't think I'd bike every day but at least once or twice that week.

24 miles seems like a lot even though I did 5 easily yesterday (probably could have done 10 but it was close to dinner time and my bf was making his homemade bbq, corn bread, etc... food is a powerful motivator!).

[bmccasland]

Rubysoho - a 12 mile ride, work during the day, and another 12 mile ride is different than a 24 mile ride. The other thing is, will you be hauling *stuff* on this ride - work clothes, lunch, purse or such? Have you tried hauling the same weight on your 5 mile ride?

Good for you to consider the bike to work challenge. I'm too chicken of the big long hill - the trip down would be a scream, but the end of the day trip up would not be fun at all - for me to do it.

[TsPoet]

what Beth said.
My ride to work is ~13 mi each way, and it isn't that bad. In fact, after you've done it a time or two it gets easier. I think just being so familiar with a route makes it easier to ride that the same distance on any other route.
I can barely ride 25 miles, but I can easily ride 13 miles twice in one day, with an 8-9 hr break in between.
If you can bring your cloths and things to work the day before, then you won't have to carry much. If not, then as Beth said, make sure you know how you are going to carry everything and how it will affect you.
I'm going to ride at least 2 days that week, maybe 3 if I can.
have fun!

[Velocivixen]

You could always set it as a goal and then reassess as it got closer. Keep on riding and see how you feel.

[rubysoho]

Good point about the stuff I would be carrying. Actually, I can plan ahead and have a change of clothes at work. We even have a refrigerator so lunch and a snack can be taken care of too. If it turns out to be a good ride I think it might be something to do 2 or 3 times a week in the future! If that is the case I'll figure out a way to mount stuff on my bike ... or maybe I could use this as a way to justify getting a second one!

(and if that is the case, would a MTB be okay - just swap out more appropriate tires? I've been craving to ride back in the woods/mud/etc....)