@@henrychungfitness it wasn't easy on my first day 😅😂😂 11km commute from my house to work.. I'd to learn to eat well and stay hydrated, checked for videos on best saddle positioning. Now it's so enjoyable and one of the best experiences in life.
I love commuting to work started as a way to make my transit commute cheaper when I didn't have a car. Now, I live closer to work, I still ride but not as much as I should everyday but when I do even my company and coworkers give me a lot of support meaning they encourage me to keep doing it, so I have to please my #1 fans lol the changes of commuting for me have been being much healthier the confidence it brings with it too. Meaning I believe I am a better driver behind the wheel thanks to cycling to work. Awesome video by the way, keep up the good work.
I worked in 24/7 in 8 hr shifts for 38 years. During the first 20 years most days I commuted by bicycle, 16km/10miles to work and later the same distance back to home, all year round. Next to that I did 3 times a week 10 or 15 km running. The commuting had nice side effects. I was a police officer, so there were sometimes heavy emotional shifts... but the ride home through a quiet night gave me peace of mind enough to sleep well later. Another advantage was I had to change from civil clothes to uniform when arriving at work. So when a new station was built, I asked the architect to create a nice shower in our dressing room ;-) . Place for 6 in that shower. lol I got the first closet next to the shower. You need to understand this is in The Netherlands, so my cycling trip during dark hours was safe too.. no contact with cars on the cycle path. Also asking for a shower was viewed as reasonable with many people riding bicycle to work. There was not even a discussion! So for me not starting a shift feeling sweaty. I'm 71 now and still ride some 3500 km annually. Today a nice ride of almost 60km in sunny but cold weather on a non-electric bicycle.
I’ve been cycling to work for 3 years in Montreal. The best part for me is after a hard day at work getting on my bike instead of getting in a metal cage was stress releasing (even if I have to deal my crazy drivers) I enjoy it so much I acquired a beater bike and put studded tires on it to continue in the snow
My wife ask me why I can be so calm all the time. “It’s because I’m a raving lunatic on my bike, talk to myself and yell at people in scenarios that haven’t happened yet.” Best way to stress relief 😂
I just started doing cycling to work for about 4 months and definitely this is my thought. Cycling home from work is the best stress relief. It's something that most people missed.
I live in Laval, but work in Montreal, will try cycling to work all winter this year, 1-2 days a week. One advantage of cycling is constant transportation time, it's often faster than using the car and sometimes just finding a parking can take 30 minutes. I've been using an electric kick scooter (50km/h) this year and it's amazing, can go everywhere so fast. Unfortunately kick scooter in winter won't be good, so will try an eBike, got a 29er and will test spikes or not. I'm a triathlete too, but don't like mixing training and commuting and I like riding my training zone 2 watching movies or listening to audio books.
I'm cycling for more than 45 years to my work every day. I have too because i have no car and no driving license😊. All these years it keeps me fit, no overweight . For me its a way of life. Freedom....❤
The secret to riding in winter is to have a cheap beater bike (e.g. rigid 1990s mountain bike or hybrid) and studded tyres. And yes, three months of winter riding can kill a chain... but a 7speed chain is cheap enough. There is something wildy satisfying riding a bike during a snowstom. Or on glare ice, when people struggle to stay on their feet. The looks you get are priceless.
I use to cycle to work for around a decade. I also worked at a bike shop at that time. I had health problems and vertigo so I stopped riding. About 6 months ago I started riding again for health and fun. I’m 60 years now and I’m so happy to be riding again. I’m slow but that’s okay. I do 10 miles rides in Brooklyn, New York. The last two months and going on three of hitting over 200 miles each month increases. Thanks for a great video.
Thanks for the inspiration! I’m a new rider and I’m looking into cycling to work to jump up my mileage and hours. I hope to one day cycle across Puerto Rico since it’s ~100 miles. Your post help me feel like it’s possible because it really it fun and the pace is less important as long as I’m having fun. Cheers 🎉
I commuted to work for 35 years in London then Sydney then Newcastle (NSW). Best thing I ever did for my physical and mental health, saved thousands of dollars and just loved it. I pity people sitting in cars or public transport
I live in Denver, CO and my commute to work is 13 miles (20km) each way. I can relate with you on the hunger, I eat so much and don’t get full! Great video, keep riding! 🚴🏻♂️
@@Just-Lo-Sworks wow you probably have some epic scenery and roads in Denver near the mountains! It’s a constant battle the amount of food that’s required to sustain the cycling, which in turn hurts the wallet 😂 but health is wealth. Thanks for watching and ride on!
Hi , I walked to work more then 15 years. I tried out a bus, but it was stuffed up and not reliable in time. So after a few days bus riding trouble, I decided to try out walking. In Germany we have decent footpathes and cycling lanes separated from streets and roads . That makes things a lot easier. I think there is a big difference between the morning way to work, and the evening way home. In the morning I took the shortest and always the same way to my work. 4 km that was about 45 min of walking. And this time schedule was very precise and stable. Also very weather resistent. Going home was the creative part. I took detours and pathes I never walked before. I always looked ahead with joy to this walking part. Sweating is usually a big problem for me. But it was not a big problem on my way to work, because I came to work always 15 minutes early. That gave me enough time to take a complete cold water washing and to change my sweaty clothes. I took my meals for the day with me, and I did not noticed a big difference in hunger between work days and not work days. But not work days are sport days fore me. So maybe that explains the difference to your case. I like bike riding a lot and I ride about 5000 km per year for fun. But those 5 km were to short for me to move my bike in order to get warm and to get a nice workout. Fast walking felt a lot better. Greetings from upper franconia in Germany. By the way , I really like your channel. Interesting and reliable content.
Walking/running is another great way to explore the city and surroundings. Good job on doing it consistently and finding joy in it too! Thank you for watching and enjoy your workouts outdoors 👍
The mental health benefits I got from cycling instead of driving were immeasurable. Love leaving for work (a strange feeling), and super love heading home from work. I can work remote and I usually don't because then I don't get to ride my bike.
I've been cycling to work for a year and a half and it's the best thing I've done (despite the 2 crashes and 1 knockdown by a car so far). I've saved at least £80 a month on petrol, my temperament and irritability has improved, lost a lot of weight and I'm significantly fitter than I have ever been. Being in Scotland, the weather and roads are terrible, but if you wrap up and keep your eyes peeled it's easy. Recommend!
Great job buddy! I can't even fathom triathlon training, working and keeping any semblance of life. Very impressive and you are crushing it! Great work working the commute into your training it's a nice double dip. Cycling is good for our mind and bodies and despite the close calls like every ride I love every minute of it.
@@MultigrainKevinOs thank you! Where there’s a will there’s a way 💪. Only cyclists will understand the freedom and joy of exerting our bodies on two wheels. Ride on and ride safe!
I started cycling all year long in 1997 in Montreal where the winters (snow fall) are crazy. It's not fun cycling in winter but it was my only preference to commute because I HATE public transportation. Once I moved to Toronto and discovered the comparatively milder winters it's been a bit easier commuting in winter. So, I empathize with your observations. On the other hand, now that the pandemic turned my job into remote work, I've had to improvise my fitness routine. I miss it... during the summer. But, I still commute by bike to run errands or go to events. Nice video. Thanks for sharing. Hope you continue riding year long and have pleasant experiences.
More power to you. I rode to work from 2000 to 2014 when I retired. I was a bit luckier than you in as much as I live in Sydney and the weather is bike friendly most of the time. Though I have ridden through a few spring torrential downpours. Also they had showers at work so I was properly refreshed and bursting out of my skin, though food had to be acquired before doing my job. Thank goodness for flex time. You do get fitter and push harder. You do develop immaculate road sense with the traffic. You do develop great handling skills. I recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity. By the way, I started commuting aged 40, (I was riding before then) due to the Sydney Olympics. So age is not an issue.
@@Bodkin_Ye_Pointy people think we’re crazy cycling in rain, but there’s a sort of freedom in it 😂 thanks for watching and hope you’re enjoying retirement life and still on two wheels!
Great video. I’ve got a short commute so have deliberately lengthened it to make it a workout too… and less time on the turbo trainer 😂. Glad it was a positive experience for you!
Wow! Same deodorant! And I'm in Japan! A lot of what you say is the same for me (but I don' t race). I've been cycle-commuting for many years and as you say it is a way of life, so much better and energizing than a train ride. Not stress free but WAY better. Keep spinning brother! (PS I don't envy your winters!)
I can feel with you, I started cycling to work 3 years ago. It's hard when I have to take the car or I have to do home office 😂. I ride every weather. I have a road bike with shimano 105 groupset and I don't care about damaging it. Everything can be replaced easily... Anyhow, nothing to fix in 11.000 km. All you said is what I experienced, ok, not the part with the drivers. Here the drivers are taking care about cyclist, I never had such a problem in 3 years. Switzerland is great! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Awesome to see you made the move to commuting to work! Maybe get an e-bike for those off days? Or something with chunkier tires, a beltdrive and internal geared hubs. Keep it going through the winter! 💨
I have managed to stay on the bike year round in Calgary - even the snow. its my happy place. thanks for the share - the feeling of ravenously hungry .. definitely resonates with me😅
Nice video. I've been cycle commuting for the past 15 years. There have been some periods where I've done less, but overall, as you've said, when i commute by bike, I'm happier and generally fitter. It's a habit and better use of the commuting time. Longest rides have been 24 miles (each way, but option to take a train to reduce it down to 5 miles if needed) and left a wardrobe at work so I didn't have to carry work clothes (used a local laundrette near work to keep a set of clean stuff in office). I usually avoid cycling in when it's wet as i don't want to put on wet clothes at the end of the day as most places I've worked don't have particularly good drying areas.
Hey, in winter that’s where N+1 comes in. Get a gravel bike and put fenders on it. Also on the subject of sweating, a bike that can take a pannier rack is useful. Backpacks make your back sweaty. Pannier bags are definitely the way forward. On hotter days try to ride smoother less sharp acceleration and just knock your speed down slightly to avoid getting in a hot sweaty mess!
I've been cycling to work now 10km to and 10km home now for a month. Absolute best decision I've made. And everything you said is so true. No getting around that sweat problem unfortunately
Very nice video and very recognisable. I live in The Netherlands and I'm fortunate I have a ~25km commute which is over 90% separated cycling path, so the stress of other traffic is way less. In 2018, After saying many times "20+ km one-way is way too much" to a colleague who was encouraging me to cycle to work, I finally did it! It gave me a "wow" experience straight away. In 2019 I switched my bike to a more suitable one for commuting and ended 2019 with around 4000 km. 2020 was a different story because of exclusively working from home and after a few more lower volume years, this year I do 2 days of cycle commuting a week. Each day about 50+ km. I've also started cycling way more in the weekend on my racing bike, heading for 10000 km this year alone. Now at age 59 I feel fitter and live healthier then I did when I was 35 🙂, will not go back
Great summary of the feeling when you switch to bike commuting. Though I'd say for the winter you should get yourself a beater bike. A beater bike is essentially a super cheap used bike preferably with an internally geared hub and some wider nobby, or even spiked tires. Works good enough on snow. It might not be as fast as your road bike, but every bit of extra effort is extra training. Salt? Doesn't matter, it only cost $50 or something. Hosing it down in spring when you put it in the shed for next winter is plenty of maintenance. Why all that? Bacause Riding in the snow is some of the best riding you can do. Everything else becomes silent, merely the crunnching of the snow under the tires is left. No worries about salt, just pure joy.
@@Daniel-uo5lm I can imagine the peaceful ride on the silent roads with the snow crunching under the tires. Sounds amazing and I’ll need to try it out. Ride on!
I live in Minnesota, so the winters here are also similar, but most winter days is not blizzard conditions, and trails & paths get cleared pretty well, so I can still ride somewhat even in the middle of January, and last year hardly any snow stayed on the ground. A little bit of tread on the tires is all that's needed, not fat tires, or mountain bike tires.
@@jayziac agree last year’s winter was quite mild similar to you in Minnesota. I’ll need to find some tires with tread then. Thanks for watching and ride on!
I'd recommend getting a cheap/used bike for the winter. If your bike handling skills improved by riding on high friction surface, you really haven't seen much. After a while, you will know how much friction you have by simply knowing how your bike responds to your pedal pressure. Judging the appropriate speed for turns, how long do you need to stop, etc. all improve greatly.
@@Jagi125 great recommendation. I actually rode in the snow/ice yesterday and experienced low friction surface on my road bike with 28/32c tires. Needless to say I kept the bike upright, but I won’t be doing that again on those road tires lol.
cool video :) dont be scared of salt. here in scotland we have gritted roads allthe time - as long as you hose it down after and keep it lubed you're good....
I took my job for the commute. Its 21km, takes about an hour there and 50 mins back. I only work there 3 days a week. I'd had a cardiac arrest after a 'safe and effective' medical intervention and needed some way to recover. Sport doesn't really float my boat but i knew the responsibility of a job would keep me motivated and consistent. Ive been doing it for 22 months so far. My calculated VO2 max went from the low 30's to 46, which is not bad for a 57 year old. The route is along a valley in the pre-alpes d'azur so no traffic lights and barely any traffic. The weather isn't an issue either. I found that keeping the effort in zone 2 doesnt really do it for me but rides in zone 3 are exhilarating and keep my cardio health up.
Glad to hear that you took up cycling to help you recover and you’re doing better now. Keep it up and it sounds like your ride in the valley is the perfect commute 👍
Been riding to work for a bit over a decade. Started on my old mtb with road tyres and now ride a Giant Propel with Sram eTap because why not (obviously I don't just commute on it these days). Just keeps you in a constant state of pretty decet fitness, saves you money and the time it takes is super consistent. Driving it might be 15 minutes or 45 depending on traffic, bike is always 23-26 minutes, without exception. In the last couple of years the city has completed a bikeway that's close to my house so my 11km commute is 9km of fully separated bikeway and 2km of busy roads. It is so good. And my work just did an upgrade to the end of trip facilities that must have been 7 figures, looks like a high end hotel for the showers, lockers, ventilated cupboards, secure bike and scooter racks, some with charging and maintenance tools and a stand.
@@morosis82 totally agree that it’s consistent every single day. It’s nice that you can count on your legs to take you somewhere! Wow that sounds really nice that your work invested in facilities/amenities 👍
That investment in facilities has a good ROI. Best investment a company can do, after good coffee machine, is a drying cabinet so that you always have dry clothes when you start your commute.
On year 4 of bike commute most of the year (don’t like the snow and cold). I am lucky to have changing room and shower available at the office and a place to store my gear and change of clothes. As many others have said, I really need the commute home to relax and process the day. So on top of the health benefits, I am a lot more present with the family and lot less grumpy.
@@Limestream73 it’s a great time on the bike to reflect on the day and on life. That’s such an underrated comment about being more present with the family. Kudos to you and wishing you more great rides and good times with the family 🙂
I used to cycle to work in Toronto along the Lakeshore bike path. 20 km each way. I loved it. It was like a vacation ride. I rode at a pace gentle enough so my body wouldn’t sweat. Even in winter…up to a point. Then my knees started complaining and that was the end of cycling.
@@BlueAlgon the lakeshore ride is def beautiful! Sorry to hear about your knees. Wonder if it could’ve been an issue with the bike fit that aggravated it?
@ I don’t think so. The sitting position was upright, the frame large (correct size) and the leg bend when the pedal was down seemed just right. When the pedal was up the knee was below the hip level. My body was not designed for sports right from the beginning, despite it being slim. So I suspect that cycling 40km almost every day in almost any weather was too much. Cheers
I try to do everything by cycling, it is tough, especially in winter with a 5yo girl to take to kindergarten (which I obviously only do when it’s dry). I‘m a surgeon so I have a shower in my work office , but I don’t really need it since the way to work is mostly downhill but since I live halfway up a mountain (in Austria) I have to shower every time when I get home no matter the temperature. It’s funny that you mention it, cycling makes me hateful of cars either, but then I always think: thank goodness I don’t waste my time in traffic. And since parking is no issue, cycling is actually faster than the car since it’s so much closer to my entrance. I feel sorry for your public transport, in Austria we don’t have those issues and small kids ride to school all on their own with public. However, it’s the slowest form of transport for my route so I rarely use it. Thanks for the nice video, keep it up!
COM-PLETELY different but I'll add my two cents. Living in a rural area of Ireland. Work is 20 km away in my nearest large town. Even though I used my ordinary cheap hybrid bike as an alternative to the car as much as possible, I didn't ride to work often because I work mostly 13 hour very physical and exhausting night shifts so I'm usually just too banjaxed to add an additional 1½ hours battling hills as a not particularly fit late fifties man. And my knees are getting too achy for that kind of regular intensive effort these days unfortunately. Got my first e-bike a few months ago and I now cycle most days. It's a European standard pedal assist that stops giving assistance after 25 kmh. On the flat with no headwinds it's easy to pedal above the assist at 30-35 kmh+ which I do as much as possible so it's definitely not effortless by any means for me. But what it does do is take the grind out of all of those uphills and speeds up my cycling time by a half an hour compared to my ordinary bike. It's not effortless, it's just a lot easier and faster. I arrive with just a mild sweat and not already tired and I generally build up a sweat pretty quickly when I'm working anyway. I don't and never have ridden for fitness or performance. I ride for fun, to not use the car, for the environment and not using fuel ⛽ Any fitness gained is a benefit of incidental exercise from riding my e/bike to go places and get stuff done. That's my cycling to work experience for what it's worth.
Riding for fun is what all cyclists should do! Even though it's an e-bike, like you said you get to enjoy the pedaling too and it's there for the assist. Keep on riding and enjoy the two wheels 👍
I commute by bike every day, regardless of weather. I've got an "ice bike" with studded tires for bad days. I ride in at 4:00AM to avoid auto traffic and sometimes see more raccoons than cars. in 2023 I drove to work one day when I had the flu, but hope to have 100% on bike for 2024.
Your an inspiration to me! Every time I go to Toronto during the winter there is no snow lol. But Toronto is known for dumping a ton of salt! Winter is a hard time for cyclists.
Really nice presentation and very honest assessment of the commuting life. I am a numbers geek - would be cool to know how many kms you did in a year, calories burned , kilos of pasta eaten and of course money saved :) But like you say, it's not about the numbers, it's about the feeling of freedom twice a day and engaging with your world in a "mostly" positive way.
@@linesided strava says 6350km of cycling this year so far (but that includes virtual rides, leisure rides, training rides and races etc), I’d estimate 140,000 calories burned, and 20kg pasta consumed 😂
My 5 cents I commuted to work for 15 years in London and as long as you are not going for your PB on every ride, you will not sweat at all. Let your body get stronger. London is pretty flat so anyone can do it. My wife eventually joined in on the commuting thing and eventually most of my friends got hooked too. They called me "the trail-breaker" to this day. The best thing that will happen is that after a long and stressful office day you will arrive home as fresh as a daisy. ( as long as the ride is at least 20min long ) You will save money, get healthier, save the planet, live stress free and be free from traffic, crowded rush hour buses/trains. In my case I could also enjoy the beauty of the city from a perspective only a cyclist knows. PS.: The company I worked for had indoor parking, showers and everything else required for a perfect transition. That is key!
I picked up a market place bike to take on the salty roads and not stress as much about getting itmetolen after loosing 3. Been biking to eork for almost a decade. Minneapolis ' san Antonio ' and now Denver. Its great .
I'm in NYC and have the same approaches you have. I also don't like to ride when there is snow or ice on the ground. I haven't done the arithmetic, but I wonder how much the extra food costs offset the savings from public transit. I highly recommend a wool undershirt if you haven't already. My clothes don't get smelly or wet as a result. And I only need to change it every week or two because it magically doesn't build up odor. Maybe it is related to my own body chemistry, but I still recommend you try it. I paid US$80 for it which seems like a lot, but it has paid off. The risk of death or injury is there but there is also a risk of dying from having an inactive lifestyle which cycling offsets. Cyclists tend to live longer than inactive people.
I've been commuting by bike in all seasons for three years now. I live in Finland and we get our fair share of snow, slush, ice and road salt. In the winter I commute on my hardtail mountain bike set up with spiked tires. I wipe the chain dry when I get to work and I try to keep on top of maintenance but honestly it's not too bad. What I really like about cycling to work is how sharp it keeps my bike handling skills. Also the fitness/training thing comes almost like an added bonus and I don't have to force it into my weekly schedule as much.
I also live in Toronto and have recently started commuting to work as well. So far it is only 2 days a week as it is 20 km each way and my job is physical which takes it's toll. I am definitely not training for a triathlon. I am wondering if your ride is downtown Toronto only or are you passing through the suburbs as well? I am riding from East York to Markham which I am told is a bit insane. Luckily I leave at 4am and am almost all alone on the road. Coming home I am able to take trails for a substantial portion of the ride but I do have to take some of the crazy North York roads which is a bit scary. Are you able to take trails and paths? You mentioned that your commute is 18 km. Do you ride it every day, weather permitting?
@@gohomejerome2958 hello to a fellow Torontonian! I’m coming from Etobicoke and riding to midtown, and my ride is probably split 50/50 bike path/trails and roads. I’m also about twice a week, and we’ve been fairly lucky with weather this past year. There are a few days where I’ve been soaked but that’s usually on the way home 😂 Geez 4am is early! Ride safe and ride on!
If you don't already have, should get a tires/wheel set for commuting. Something more durable and more comfortable, yes heavier but that will make you stronger.
I'm retired now and still riding lots, but when I worked 9 to 5 I rode my bike as many days as possible considering weather. I used to race bikes so I'm considered a serious cyclist. When I was riding to work through crazy Toronto traffic I would pick routes that weren't traffic dense even if it took me a little out of my way, it added training km's. Yes I did the bathroom wash up routine whereas I never stunk up the office. How I considered a good safe bike ride was . . . did I have to swear/curse/yell at some driver and did any driver have to honk at me. With the answer being no I had a happy good safe ride. Remember, just ride the bike!
Best to avoid the crazy Toronto traffic and I’m lucky that I can take parts of the Humber trail and the Beltline trail to work! Thanks for watching and enjoy retirement riding 🤙
I am cycling to work for 3 years now. I have the luck we have great dressingrooms for men and woman with a lot of lockers and 10 showers each. For me its 15km as a minimum ride. In the summer i extend the distance. And when your home you cleared your mind also after a day of hard work.
Yeah, I hear ya. I'm kind of maxed out on my bike harem space too... If your circumstances change, winter biking is so much fun. I love riding in the snow!
I used to commute by bicycle for a decade here in Montreal, the round trip was 11km and the morning ride was slightly uphill and typically against the wind, like you I switched to public transit in winter, then the company moved to Dorval so my round trip grew to 40km which I did by bicycle about 40% of the time, unfortunately this seems to have exceeded my knee cartilage regeneration rate so I quit, I still ride regularly but the daily distance is usually less than 6km which is enough to keep me in shape…
@@georgeg7840 that’s unfortunate about your knee. Have you tried to get a proper bike fit? Crank length, seat height, q-factor (pedal width), cleat position are all factors that can accelerate knee pain/degradation if not in the right position for your body.
When i worked close to home i would ride to and from work 5 days a week for about a month. I cycled around 18km and it took me around an hour and 15 minutes each way. I genuinely couldnt stop eating. I was having two servings of almost every meal because I was that hungry. I miss being somewhat close to work.
I've also been trying to bike to work more often (only about 2x per week right now). Even that has given me noticeable fitness gains! If the wear and tear on your bike is keeping you from riding in the winter, have you looked into getting a belt drive commuter bike? My winters are much milder here in Colorado, but I've been tempted by belt drives for the longevity and simple maintenance. Belt drives can be expensive, so maybe just a simple beater of a bike that you won't feel bad exposing to the salt would do.
I ride a completely different bike in the winter. I love the bike I ride the rest of the year, but I recommend using a throwaway fatbike or cheap ebike to tackle snowy weather. People call these a beater bike or a garbage bike--either way, I love it more than driving or using public transit.
I cycled to work for 7 years. The distance to my office was 9 miles. Fortunately, going to work meant going downhill mostly so I wasn’t too sweaty when I got to work. I had a cabinet in the warehouse where I had stashed my street clothes and shoes and did a quick change in the restroom. But going home was the hard part, especially after a long day. But I just had to do it to go home, going mostly uphill with 1500 feet elevation gain, with me exhausted and totally covered in sweat after getting home. Total round trip time took 90 minutes. I averaged 4000 miles a year those years. I retired 10 years ago but still ride 3000 miles a year. I live Southern California so I can ride all year round.
@@henrychungfitness Rancho Santa Margarita is surrounded by hills so I have no choice but to get used to the climbing. But I don't have to deal with winters like in Montreal. ;-)
Planning to start the same..truly inspiring!! If I may ask, were those shorts padded or was it just a short ride in part of the video clip? It get's a bit uncomfy after some time on the saddle. Or is your saddle comfy with a bit of cushion?
@@kwala7 I don’t wear bib shorts with padding while commuting. I actually find my seat quite comfortable (except when it gets cold out and the saddle becomes rock hard 😂). 18km one way and my goods are alive and feeling well lol. I think it’s important to get the saddle that fits your body specifically for comfort. Ride on and ride safe!
0:33 18 kilometers 11 miles was that round trip or one way? I wish America would get on board with this I constantly have to look up measurements. I was thinking about riding to work because I do not have a choice right now. My commute would only be 2 miles that's nothing maybe I could go past and back. 😂
For those salty and mucky roads a second city hybrid bike works wonders or put some sks mudguards on the road bike. It makes a world of difference on how much dirt gets on you and the bike. I really need to get to get back to biking agian....
Just started a new job with 12k commute. Investing in a good backrack and a covertible rucksack/pannier was a gamechanger for the sweat. I sweat a lot, but I can arrive freshier without a backpack pressing on my back. The most important thing is that it's incredibly funnier and more enjoyable than driving. Always fuck cars, such an inefficient way of moving around
i just started cycling to work (about 1 week) and i think this was the worst time to start. winter is coming and it isnt even in full swing yet and i can tell you it isnt fun but im going to try to stick with it. the hills are also not fun but I was and still am very out of shape but its getting easier.
I cycle to work for 11 years, start my cycling season in early april and end it in the late october, 17-21 km (about 13 miles) from my home to work, and the same distance back. I've lost 13 kg (almost 30 lbs) of weight in first 3 months of daily cycling.
@@henrychungfitness Thanks, bro! Moreover, I've lost another 19 kg of weight since then. I've got six pack that i've never ever got in my life, I also started running. Now, in the off-season, I run to my work from 3 to 6 miles daily.
I cycle 30 mile round trip to work every day. Then on Friday evenings I cycle 65 miles to my girlfriend's and Mondays another 65 miles back to work from hers. So total of 200 miles Monday to Friday. Do you think I'll notice a difference after a year if doing that? I can do 14 miles in 50 minutes now.
31 years riding to work. Aged 47 now. Height 6ft and weigh under 12 stone. Health benefits and fuel savings are big points. Also quicker to cycle than drive as traffic to work is really busy.
For anyone thinking that cycling to work can only be done on a track bike while sweating, there is an alternative. A city / trekking bike is a lot more relaxed, even though is slower. You can also get an electric one for more comfort and speed.
I think one source of the cycling debate in North America is that drivers and suburban folks think that all biking has to be a workout, like what you are actively trying to achieve, when the reality is that at half the pace, you wouldn’t get to work sweaty at all. Cycling advocacy should try to decouple Lycra from bike lanes and I say this as someone that owns a carbon road bike! In the cooler months, I ride a cheap folding bike with fenders to work instead of my road bike. It has more basic components that handle grime better and you can take it on public transit for sections of your commute that aren’t safe in the winter.
@@ianchissy completely agree with you! Many of my rides are pretty relaxed rides, but I can’t help sweating when it’s 30C+ outside 😂 good call on the cheap bike with fenders, I’ll have to get some.
@@jacobpedersen2368 there are good cycling gear from the likes of Santic and Darevie jackets that I’m wearing, and as for pants I wear warm jogger pants or hiking pants 👌
I cycle 15km to work most days of the week. Takes me about 40min. Crazy thing is is that it's faster compared to the car due to the traffic and having to park my car away from the office which adds another 10min.
I've had a 6 km bike commute for 11 years and the only thing I haven't figured out is what to do with the knowledge that most people do not care at all if they hurt you once they are in a car. On the other hand, only one person has actually aggressively targeted me, and they were charged with a felony. (Get a Gopro, people.) Even with all the drama, driving is often more stressful.
@@ryankamper6227 it’s because they feel powerful in a car with a cage surrounding them and they don’t realize what it’s like to be vulnerable on a bike. Stay safe and ride on 🤙
Proper winter gears so important i just learned that today i was planing 50miles ride but only make it 20miles. I now know i need ear warmer and not fingerless gloves
I cycle to work every day when I am working the office. Which, since March 2020, isn't that often. But I only have a 2km ride, so it's really not counting as a workout, lol. Before I changed jobs I had a ride of 5km, which was a bit more of a workout (especially when cycling home because it was mostly uphill). But it wasn't a good cycling route, always along the main road with little to no cycling infrastructure. Before _that_ I lived in a different city and had a different job. 15km commute that did have some nicer scenery. But every time I arrived at the city it became the worst part of the day. Motorists don't care much for cyclists, and they simply ignore them for the most part. Lost count of how many traffic violations I encountered (close passes, ignored priority, etc.). The worst part: It was only like 1km through the city until I reached the office. Again, the lack of cycling infrastructure just made everything so much worse. Also, I really felt my legs on Fridays because of all the workout I had during the week. Somehow it didn't get better even though I cycled regularly. Maybe it was a psychological effect, I don't know. Didn't have any savings though, because my workplace paid for my public transport ticket. Still, even with all the downsides, I preferred cycling because it always took me ~45 minutes. With public transport I spent 45 minutes at best, and 60 minutes if things went bad. Plus, I didn't need to spend so much time at the gym anymore.
@@wohlhabendermanager were you consuming enough energy and electrolytes to meet the demands of the cycling? I find if I don’t eat and hydrate enough then I’m not able to recover properly, and then my body compounds the soreness.
@@henrychungfitness I think I did, yes. But I'm not 100% sure. I did notice the increased appetite though, and ate more during the day than I usually did.
I also bike to work. Not as long a you, only 2 miles. However I will not continue in the winter because in Syracuse the bike lane is for plowed snow only.
After coming back to cycling after 9 years, I found out that I lost weight even though I increase my food intake. Riding around town makes me hungry and thirsty and those street foods are so inviting.
the best trick if you do not want have sweat is. cut off all sugar input. including carbo. i guarantee you after 5 day you have no sweat. but the down side, some people cannot adapt with new diet and they literally dying and low in energy.
@@henrychungfitness in the first 3 day you will start urinating more often, and you will feel never enough drinking. when no glucose in our blood from food or drink our body will reduce it capacity to store water in our cell and in blood. if our blood sugar high our body will store more water. when we did extreme by not eat any sugar or carbo contain glucose. our body lose huge it capacity to store water. we will urinating more often and feel so thirsty at first 3 day. entering 4th day you start dizzy because no carb or sugar input. but the positive side because our body more dry. we will sweat less. i did this when i want go climb or long ultra cyclist i start strict carnivore + salad diet no sugar or carbo. it help reduce sweat and it will reduce body weight 1-1,5kg. because the water are going out. after 4th day body will start to adapt. 5th day you will evaluate is your body can handle or not. if your body cannot handle the symptom you will low energy no motivation and got heavy headache. but if your diet success our jersey will keep clean even after long ride because we sweat a lot less. this is very dangerous. some people got gastric problem, 5th day evaluation is very important. we do not want faint in the middle riding or got bonk. 5th day determine if you can continue or not.
Yeah I started noticing the eating part too 😂. I'm not used to going three times a day, coming from once every two to three days. Takes some getting used to!
Have you tried cycling to work? What’s been your commute like and have you noticed any changes?
This is my 2nd week Cycling to work 💪
@@Joelriz1 right on! Keep it up brother 💪
@@henrychungfitness it wasn't easy on my first day 😅😂😂 11km commute from my house to work.. I'd to learn to eat well and stay hydrated, checked for videos on best saddle positioning. Now it's so enjoyable and one of the best experiences in life.
I love commuting to work started as a way to make my transit commute cheaper when I didn't have a car. Now, I live closer to work, I still ride but not as much as I should everyday but when I do even my company and coworkers give me a lot of support meaning they encourage me to keep doing it, so I have to please my #1 fans lol the changes of commuting for me have been being much healthier the confidence it brings with it too. Meaning I believe I am a better driver behind the wheel thanks to cycling to work. Awesome video by the way, keep up the good work.
I worked in 24/7 in 8 hr shifts for 38 years. During the first 20 years most days I commuted by bicycle, 16km/10miles to work and later the same distance back to home, all year round. Next to that I did 3 times a week 10 or 15 km running. The commuting had nice side effects. I was a police officer, so there were sometimes heavy emotional shifts... but the ride home through a quiet night gave me peace of mind enough to sleep well later. Another advantage was I had to change from civil clothes to uniform when arriving at work. So when a new station was built, I asked the architect to create a nice shower in our dressing room ;-) . Place for 6 in that shower. lol I got the first closet next to the shower.
You need to understand this is in The Netherlands, so my cycling trip during dark hours was safe too.. no contact with cars on the cycle path. Also asking for a shower was viewed as reasonable with many people riding bicycle to work. There was not even a discussion! So for me not starting a shift feeling sweaty.
I'm 71 now and still ride some 3500 km annually. Today a nice ride of almost 60km in sunny but cold weather on a non-electric bicycle.
I’ve been cycling to work for 3 years in Montreal. The best part for me is after a hard day at work getting on my bike instead of getting in a metal cage was stress releasing (even if I have to deal my crazy drivers) I enjoy it so much I acquired a beater bike and put studded tires on it to continue in the snow
@@bill6040 Montreal winters are no joke. Kudos to you for riding it out through the snow 🤙
My wife ask me why I can be so calm all the time. “It’s because I’m a raving lunatic on my bike, talk to myself and yell at people in scenarios that haven’t happened yet.” Best way to stress relief 😂
@@GoodFellasBpong that’s pretty much every cyclist 😂 and it works lol
I just started doing cycling to work for about 4 months and definitely this is my thought. Cycling home from work is the best stress relief. It's something that most people missed.
I live in Laval, but work in Montreal, will try cycling to work all winter this year, 1-2 days a week. One advantage of cycling is constant transportation time, it's often faster than using the car and sometimes just finding a parking can take 30 minutes. I've been using an electric kick scooter (50km/h) this year and it's amazing, can go everywhere so fast. Unfortunately kick scooter in winter won't be good, so will try an eBike, got a 29er and will test spikes or not. I'm a triathlete too, but don't like mixing training and commuting and I like riding my training zone 2 watching movies or listening to audio books.
You know what's even better than riding to work I found? Retiring and riding anytime I want anywhere I want.😂
@@JPBVideo one day 😂 I’m sure you get some great rides in with the time!
I think I only want to bike until I'm 60 , I'm 54 now lol
Even better, retire in Spain and bike ~300 days/year. My wife and I either bike, weights or walk 10k steps
I'm cycling for more than 45 years to my work every day. I have too because i have no car and no driving license😊.
All these years it keeps me fit, no overweight .
For me its a way of life. Freedom....❤
Incredible! 45 years is a lot of cycling. Keep on riding and enjoy the freedom 🤙
Cycling to work makes you really fit and is a stress relief at the end of the day.💯👌🏻🚴♂️
@@reinholdachleitner2069 yes I totally agree with you! What better way than to exert the body after a day at work 💪
The secret to riding in winter is to have a cheap beater bike (e.g. rigid 1990s mountain bike or hybrid) and studded tyres. And yes, three months of winter riding can kill a chain... but a 7speed chain is cheap enough.
There is something wildy satisfying riding a bike during a snowstom. Or on glare ice, when people struggle to stay on their feet. The looks you get are priceless.
❤
I use to cycle to work for around a decade. I also worked at a bike shop at that time. I had health problems and vertigo so I stopped riding. About 6 months ago I started riding again for health and fun. I’m 60 years now and I’m so happy to be riding again. I’m slow but that’s okay. I do 10 miles rides in Brooklyn, New York. The last two months and going on three of hitting over 200 miles each month increases. Thanks for a great video.
Your own pace is good enough. No one said you had to be Greg Lamond.
@@Bodkin_Ye_Pointy agreed, riding two wheels is the important thing no matter the pace. Keep at it and thanks for watching 🙏
Thanks for the inspiration! I’m a new rider and I’m looking into cycling to work to jump up my mileage and hours. I hope to one day cycle across Puerto Rico since it’s ~100 miles. Your post help me feel like it’s possible because it really it fun and the pace is less important as long as I’m having fun. Cheers 🎉
@@cathy444Thank you! I appreciate it. ❤
Cycling to work was the best part of my day.
@@PeterSdrolias agreed, I always look forward to it too!
"Cycling in traffic; it changes you." *nods*
😅
Your an inspiration dude good job keep it up
@@dennispaquette6908 thank you for watching and appreciate the comment!
I commuted to work for 35 years in London then Sydney then Newcastle (NSW). Best thing I ever did for my physical and mental health, saved thousands of dollars and just loved it. I pity people sitting in cars or public transport
@@seanmorgan4099 right on! You look forward to starting your day with a bike ride which is unbeatable. Thanks for watching 🙏
@@seanmorgan4099 my sentiments entirely
I live in Denver, CO and my commute to work is 13 miles (20km) each way. I can relate with you on the hunger, I eat so much and don’t get full! Great video, keep riding! 🚴🏻♂️
@@Just-Lo-Sworks wow you probably have some epic scenery and roads in Denver near the mountains! It’s a constant battle the amount of food that’s required to sustain the cycling, which in turn hurts the wallet 😂 but health is wealth. Thanks for watching and ride on!
The algorithm is strong with this one. Great video sir!
Thank you thank you 🙏 it’s nice to see so many other cycling commuters!
Hi , I walked to work more then 15 years. I tried out a bus, but it was stuffed up and not reliable in time.
So after a few days bus riding trouble, I decided to try out walking.
In Germany we have decent footpathes and cycling lanes separated from streets and roads . That makes things a lot easier.
I think there is a big difference between the morning way to work, and the evening way home.
In the morning I took the shortest and always the same way to my work. 4 km that was about 45 min of walking. And this time schedule was very precise and stable. Also very weather resistent.
Going home was the creative part. I took detours and pathes I never walked before. I always looked ahead with joy to this walking part.
Sweating is usually a big problem for me.
But it was not a big problem on my way to work, because I came to work always 15 minutes early. That gave me enough time to take a complete cold water washing and to change my sweaty clothes.
I took my meals for the day with me, and I did not noticed a big difference in hunger between work days and not work days. But not work days are sport days fore me. So maybe that explains the difference to your case.
I like bike riding a lot and I ride about 5000 km per year for fun.
But those 5 km were to short for me to move my bike in order to get warm and to get a nice workout. Fast walking felt a lot better.
Greetings from upper franconia in Germany.
By the way , I really like your channel. Interesting and reliable content.
Walking/running is another great way to explore the city and surroundings. Good job on doing it consistently and finding joy in it too! Thank you for watching and enjoy your workouts outdoors 👍
The mental health benefits I got from cycling instead of driving were immeasurable. Love leaving for work (a strange feeling), and super love heading home from work. I can work remote and I usually don't because then I don't get to ride my bike.
@@jadinc77 I can relate to you about loving leaving for work 👌 especially when part of my ride is along a forest and river. Ride on and ride safe!
I've been cycling to work for a year and a half and it's the best thing I've done (despite the 2 crashes and 1 knockdown by a car so far). I've saved at least £80 a month on petrol, my temperament and irritability has improved, lost a lot of weight and I'm significantly fitter than I have ever been. Being in Scotland, the weather and roads are terrible, but if you wrap up and keep your eyes peeled it's easy.
Recommend!
Sounds like a hectic commute for you on the roads, but glad to hear you're still enjoying it! Ride on and ride safe 👍
Good video pacing! Succinct but thorough and no time-wasting!
@@TimMedvedev thank you for the feedback and for watching 🤙
Great job buddy! I can't even fathom triathlon training, working and keeping any semblance of life. Very impressive and you are crushing it! Great work working the commute into your training it's a nice double dip. Cycling is good for our mind and bodies and despite the close calls like every ride I love every minute of it.
@@MultigrainKevinOs thank you! Where there’s a will there’s a way 💪. Only cyclists will understand the freedom and joy of exerting our bodies on two wheels. Ride on and ride safe!
totally agree about the lifestyle. I love my bike and now retired I still love biking. Thanks for the video.
@@itsame1277 enjoy retirement on the bike! Thanks for watching 🙏
I started cycling all year long in 1997 in Montreal where the winters (snow fall) are crazy. It's not fun cycling in winter but it was my only preference to commute because I HATE public transportation. Once I moved to Toronto and discovered the comparatively milder winters it's been a bit easier commuting in winter. So, I empathize with your observations. On the other hand, now that the pandemic turned my job into remote work, I've had to improvise my fitness routine. I miss it... during the summer. But, I still commute by bike to run errands or go to events. Nice video. Thanks for sharing. Hope you continue riding year long and have pleasant experiences.
@@PrisQuammie-sm8xh that’s awesome. Thanks for watching and commenting, and keep on riding 🤙
More power to you. I rode to work from 2000 to 2014 when I retired. I was a bit luckier than you in as much as I live in Sydney and the weather is bike friendly most of the time. Though I have ridden through a few spring torrential downpours. Also they had showers at work so I was properly refreshed and bursting out of my skin, though food had to be acquired before doing my job. Thank goodness for flex time. You do get fitter and push harder. You do develop immaculate road sense with the traffic. You do develop great handling skills. I recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity. By the way, I started commuting aged 40, (I was riding before then) due to the Sydney Olympics. So age is not an issue.
@@Bodkin_Ye_Pointy people think we’re crazy cycling in rain, but there’s a sort of freedom in it 😂 thanks for watching and hope you’re enjoying retirement life and still on two wheels!
What a great video. Very encouraging for any cyclist.
@@Yagorkin thanks for watching! Hopefully it encourages others to cycle to work 💪
Great video. I’ve got a short commute so have deliberately lengthened it to make it a workout too… and less time on the turbo trainer 😂. Glad it was a positive experience for you!
@@BeMoreOutdoors less time on the turbo trainer is usually a good thing, especially for the fresh air and sunshine 🤙
You’ve got great bike handling skills. Kudos.
@@Andrewhasgoals thanks! It’s definitely gotten better with the commuting 👍
Wow! Same deodorant! And I'm in Japan! A lot of what you say is the same for me (but I don' t race). I've been cycle-commuting for many years and as you say it is a way of life, so much better and energizing than a train ride. Not stress free but WAY better. Keep spinning brother! (PS I don't envy your winters!)
@@eilrach299 I didn’t know they had old spice in Japan! Definitely way better. Thanks for watching 🤙
I can feel with you, I started cycling to work 3 years ago. It's hard when I have to take the car or I have to do home office 😂. I ride every weather. I have a road bike with shimano 105 groupset and I don't care about damaging it. Everything can be replaced easily... Anyhow, nothing to fix in 11.000 km. All you said is what I experienced, ok, not the part with the drivers. Here the drivers are taking care about cyclist, I never had such a problem in 3 years. Switzerland is great! Thanks for sharing your experience!
@@RobertTaba__ru-ti9dg Shimano 105 is bulletproof! That’s amazing that the drivers care about cyclists in Switzerland. Ride on and ride safe 🤙
Awesome to see you made the move to commuting to work!
Maybe get an e-bike for those off days?
Or something with chunkier tires, a beltdrive and internal geared hubs.
Keep it going through the winter! 💨
Something with chunkier tires and belt drive sounds golden for the winter 👌
I have managed to stay on the bike year round in Calgary - even the snow. its my happy place. thanks for the share - the feeling of ravenously hungry .. definitely resonates with me😅
Wow that’s amazing and in Calgary too! Keep it up 👍
Love your positivity…..stay safe 🏴
@@jamesjolly9528 it makes life better! Thanks for watching and ride safe 🤙
I cycle when i can and i find on those days im psyched for work....thats the biggest plus for me it sets you up for the day
@@doyle133 💯 agree with you on this. Makes work days more exciting!
Thanks for making a concise video.
@@rustyheyman214 thank you for watching and leaving a comment 🙏
Nice video. I've been cycle commuting for the past 15 years. There have been some periods where I've done less, but overall, as you've said, when i commute by bike, I'm happier and generally fitter. It's a habit and better use of the commuting time. Longest rides have been 24 miles (each way, but option to take a train to reduce it down to 5 miles if needed) and left a wardrobe at work so I didn't have to carry work clothes (used a local laundrette near work to keep a set of clean stuff in office).
I usually avoid cycling in when it's wet as i don't want to put on wet clothes at the end of the day as most places I've worked don't have particularly good drying areas.
@@moman6280 agreed, luckily it’s raining mostly after work for me on the way home vs in the morning! Ride on and ride safe 👍
Hey, in winter that’s where N+1 comes in. Get a gravel bike and put fenders on it. Also on the subject of sweating, a bike that can take a pannier rack is useful. Backpacks make your back sweaty. Pannier bags are definitely the way forward. On hotter days try to ride smoother less sharp acceleration and just knock your speed down slightly to avoid getting in a hot sweaty mess!
I've been cycling to work now 10km to and 10km home now for a month. Absolute best decision I've made. And everything you said is so true. No getting around that sweat problem unfortunately
@@bravinjacobs2570 a bit annoying but sweat is good for us! Keep on riding 💪
Very nice video and very recognisable. I live in The Netherlands and I'm fortunate I have a ~25km commute which is over 90% separated cycling path, so the stress of other traffic is way less.
In 2018, After saying many times "20+ km one-way is way too much" to a colleague who was encouraging me to cycle to work, I finally did it!
It gave me a "wow" experience straight away. In 2019 I switched my bike to a more suitable one for commuting and ended 2019 with around 4000 km. 2020 was a different story because of exclusively working from home and after a few more lower volume years, this year I do 2 days of cycle commuting a week. Each day about 50+ km. I've also started cycling way more in the weekend on my racing bike, heading for 10000 km this year alone. Now at age 59 I feel fitter and live healthier then I did when I was 35 🙂, will not go back
@@CanyonWanderer thanks for sharing! That’s a lot of mileage on the bike. Ride safe and ride on 🤙
@@henrychungfitness Thanks, you too!
Great summary of the feeling when you switch to bike commuting.
Though I'd say for the winter you should get yourself a beater bike.
A beater bike is essentially a super cheap used bike preferably with an internally geared hub and some wider nobby, or even spiked tires.
Works good enough on snow. It might not be as fast as your road bike, but every bit of extra effort is extra training. Salt? Doesn't matter, it only cost $50 or something. Hosing it down in spring when you put it in the shed for next winter is plenty of maintenance.
Why all that? Bacause Riding in the snow is some of the best riding you can do. Everything else becomes silent, merely the crunnching of the snow under the tires is left. No worries about salt, just pure joy.
@@Daniel-uo5lm I can imagine the peaceful ride on the silent roads with the snow crunching under the tires. Sounds amazing and I’ll need to try it out. Ride on!
I live in Minnesota, so the winters here are also similar, but most winter days is not blizzard conditions, and trails & paths get cleared pretty well, so I can still ride somewhat even in the middle of January, and last year hardly any snow stayed on the ground. A little bit of tread on the tires is all that's needed, not fat tires, or mountain bike tires.
@@jayziac agree last year’s winter was quite mild similar to you in Minnesota. I’ll need to find some tires with tread then. Thanks for watching and ride on!
I'd recommend getting a cheap/used bike for the winter. If your bike handling skills improved by riding on high friction surface, you really haven't seen much. After a while, you will know how much friction you have by simply knowing how your bike responds to your pedal pressure. Judging the appropriate speed for turns, how long do you need to stop, etc. all improve greatly.
@@Jagi125 great recommendation. I actually rode in the snow/ice yesterday and experienced low friction surface on my road bike with 28/32c tires. Needless to say I kept the bike upright, but I won’t be doing that again on those road tires lol.
cool video :) dont be scared of salt. here in scotland we have gritted roads allthe time - as long as you hose it down after and keep it lubed you're good....
@@funkytransport that’s mostly the issue, I don’t have a hose handy as I live in an apartment. I’ve used the bathtub before, but that gets messy 😅
@@henrychungfitness haha yeah we’ve all used the bathtub and regretted it :)
I took my job for the commute. Its 21km, takes about an hour there and 50 mins back. I only work there 3 days a week. I'd had a cardiac arrest after a 'safe and effective' medical intervention and needed some way to recover. Sport doesn't really float my boat but i knew the responsibility of a job would keep me motivated and consistent. Ive been doing it for 22 months so far. My calculated VO2 max went from the low 30's to 46, which is not bad for a 57 year old. The route is along a valley in the pre-alpes d'azur so no traffic lights and barely any traffic. The weather isn't an issue either. I found that keeping the effort in zone 2 doesnt really do it for me but rides in zone 3 are exhilarating and keep my cardio health up.
Glad to hear that you took up cycling to help you recover and you’re doing better now. Keep it up and it sounds like your ride in the valley is the perfect commute 👍
Been riding to work for a bit over a decade. Started on my old mtb with road tyres and now ride a Giant Propel with Sram eTap because why not (obviously I don't just commute on it these days). Just keeps you in a constant state of pretty decet fitness, saves you money and the time it takes is super consistent. Driving it might be 15 minutes or 45 depending on traffic, bike is always 23-26 minutes, without exception.
In the last couple of years the city has completed a bikeway that's close to my house so my 11km commute is 9km of fully separated bikeway and 2km of busy roads. It is so good.
And my work just did an upgrade to the end of trip facilities that must have been 7 figures, looks like a high end hotel for the showers, lockers, ventilated cupboards, secure bike and scooter racks, some with charging and maintenance tools and a stand.
@@morosis82 totally agree that it’s consistent every single day. It’s nice that you can count on your legs to take you somewhere! Wow that sounds really nice that your work invested in facilities/amenities 👍
That investment in facilities has a good ROI. Best investment a company can do, after good coffee machine, is a drying cabinet so that you always have dry clothes when you start your commute.
@@Limestream73 dry clothes is a must! I use a fan to blow dry my clothes during work and it helps 😂
On year 4 of bike commute most of the year (don’t like the snow and cold). I am lucky to have changing room and shower available at the office and a place to store my gear and change of clothes. As many others have said, I really need the commute home to relax and process the day. So on top of the health benefits, I am a lot more present with the family and lot less grumpy.
@@Limestream73 it’s a great time on the bike to reflect on the day and on life. That’s such an underrated comment about being more present with the family. Kudos to you and wishing you more great rides and good times with the family 🙂
I am jealous! Great job and great video - thanks for sharing.
@@rlamb007 Join us in cycling! Thanks for watching 🙏
Ride on, Henry!
@@КостяЛопунов thanks for watching 🤙
I used to cycle to work in Toronto along the Lakeshore bike path. 20 km each way. I loved it. It was like a vacation ride. I rode at a pace gentle enough so my body wouldn’t sweat. Even in winter…up to a point. Then my knees started complaining and that was the end of cycling.
@@BlueAlgon the lakeshore ride is def beautiful! Sorry to hear about your knees. Wonder if it could’ve been an issue with the bike fit that aggravated it?
@ I don’t think so. The sitting position was upright, the frame large (correct size) and the leg bend when the pedal was down seemed just right. When the pedal was up the knee was below the hip level. My body was not designed for sports right from the beginning, despite it being slim. So I suspect that cycling 40km almost every day in almost any weather was too much. Cheers
I try to do everything by cycling, it is tough, especially in winter with a 5yo girl to take to kindergarten (which I obviously only do when it’s dry).
I‘m a surgeon so I have a shower in my work office , but I don’t really need it since the way to work is mostly downhill but since I live halfway up a mountain (in Austria) I have to shower every time when I get home no matter the temperature.
It’s funny that you mention it, cycling makes me hateful of cars either, but then I always think: thank goodness I don’t waste my time in traffic. And since parking is no issue, cycling is actually faster than the car since it’s so much closer to my entrance.
I feel sorry for your public transport, in Austria we don’t have those issues and small kids ride to school all on their own with public. However, it’s the slowest form of transport for my route so I rarely use it.
Thanks for the nice video, keep it up!
@@NinjaElephant kudos to you for cycling as a surgeon 👍 your commute must be so nice in the mountains!
COM-PLETELY different but I'll add my two cents.
Living in a rural area of Ireland. Work is 20 km away in my nearest large town.
Even though I used my ordinary cheap hybrid bike as an alternative to the car as much as possible, I didn't ride to work often because I work mostly 13 hour very physical and exhausting night shifts so I'm usually just too banjaxed to add an additional 1½ hours battling hills as a not particularly fit late fifties man. And my knees are getting too achy for that kind of regular intensive effort these days unfortunately.
Got my first e-bike a few months ago and I now cycle most days. It's a European standard pedal assist that stops giving assistance after 25 kmh. On the flat with no headwinds it's easy to pedal above the assist at 30-35 kmh+ which I do as much as possible so it's definitely not effortless by any means for me.
But what it does do is take the grind out of all of those uphills and speeds up my cycling time by a half an hour compared to my ordinary bike. It's not effortless, it's just a lot easier and faster. I arrive with just a mild sweat and not already tired and I generally build up a sweat pretty quickly when I'm working anyway.
I don't and never have ridden for fitness or performance.
I ride for fun, to not use the car, for the environment and not using fuel ⛽
Any fitness gained is a benefit of incidental exercise from riding my e/bike to go places and get stuff done.
That's my cycling to work experience for what it's worth.
Riding for fun is what all cyclists should do! Even though it's an e-bike, like you said you get to enjoy the pedaling too and it's there for the assist. Keep on riding and enjoy the two wheels 👍
I commute by bike every day, regardless of weather. I've got an "ice bike" with studded tires for bad days. I ride in at 4:00AM to avoid auto traffic and sometimes see more raccoons than cars. in 2023 I drove to work one day when I had the flu, but hope to have 100% on bike for 2024.
@@Jim-be8sj I just pictured raccoons skating on the ice at 4am while you’re cycling 😂 keep on riding and ride safe!
Your an inspiration to me! Every time I go to Toronto during the winter there is no snow lol. But Toronto is known for dumping a ton of salt! Winter is a hard time for cyclists.
@@Bike4adventure yes we’ve had pretty light winters here the past couple years! Thanks for watching and keep on riding 🤙
Really nice presentation and very honest assessment of the commuting life. I am a numbers geek - would be cool to know how many kms you did in a year, calories burned , kilos of pasta eaten and of course money saved :) But like you say, it's not about the numbers, it's about the feeling of freedom twice a day and engaging with your world in a "mostly" positive way.
@@linesided strava says 6350km of cycling this year so far (but that includes virtual rides, leisure rides, training rides and races etc), I’d estimate 140,000 calories burned, and 20kg pasta consumed 😂
Keep pedaling stay happy mate!
@@Hamsterlovers408 thank you for watching! Ride on and ride safe 🤙
My 5 cents
I commuted to work for 15 years in London and as long as you are not going for your PB on every ride, you will not sweat at all. Let your body get stronger. London is pretty flat so anyone can do it. My wife eventually joined in on the commuting thing and eventually most of my friends got hooked too. They called me "the trail-breaker" to this day.
The best thing that will happen is that after a long and stressful office day you will arrive home as fresh as a daisy. ( as long as the ride is at least 20min long )
You will save money, get healthier, save the planet, live stress free and be free from traffic, crowded rush hour buses/trains.
In my case I could also enjoy the beauty of the city from a perspective only a cyclist knows.
PS.: The company I worked for had indoor parking, showers and everything else required for a perfect transition. That is key!
Before COVID i rode to work most days. To avoid sweat issues I simply took it easy on the ride in, saving all the efforts for the way home.
That’s a good point! Hard efforts for after work when you don’t care as much being sweaty and tired 👌
I picked up a market place bike to take on the salty roads and not stress as much about getting itmetolen after loosing 3. Been biking to eork for almost a decade. Minneapolis ' san Antonio ' and now Denver. Its great .
@@CookingMike wow a decade of commuting by bike! Ride on and ride safe 🤙
Great video!
Thanks for watching 🙏
I'm in NYC and have the same approaches you have. I also don't like to ride when there is snow or ice on the ground. I haven't done the arithmetic, but I wonder how much the extra food costs offset the savings from public transit. I highly recommend a wool undershirt if you haven't already. My clothes don't get smelly or wet as a result. And I only need to change it every week or two because it magically doesn't build up odor. Maybe it is related to my own body chemistry, but I still recommend you try it. I paid US$80 for it which seems like a lot, but it has paid off.
The risk of death or injury is there but there is also a risk of dying from having an inactive lifestyle which cycling offsets. Cyclists tend to live longer than inactive people.
@@tomreingold4024 I’ll have to look into wool undershirts. Thanks for the tip and ride safe!
Right now, I'm putting together a dedicated winter bike. A cheap beater. Single speed. Coaster brakes.
Hygge is a danish word, meaning is hard to explain, But it is like coziness, enjoying and have a relaxed moment.
@@aoe76 I’d say most of the time I feel Hygge when riding my bike, just not around cars 😂
I've been commuting by bike in all seasons for three years now. I live in Finland and we get our fair share of snow, slush, ice and road salt. In the winter I commute on my hardtail mountain bike set up with spiked tires. I wipe the chain dry when I get to work and I try to keep on top of maintenance but honestly it's not too bad.
What I really like about cycling to work is how sharp it keeps my bike handling skills. Also the fitness/training thing comes almost like an added bonus and I don't have to force it into my weekly schedule as much.
@@wheeliegeezer a mountain bike with spiked tires sounds like a blast in the winter! Ride on and ride safe 👍
Isn’t there a town in Finland that has the highest bikability score in the world? Like Kuopio or Oulu?
@@Limestream73 yeah that’s Oulu. The cycling infra there is amazing.
I also live in Toronto and have recently started commuting to work as well. So far it is only 2 days a week as it is 20 km each way and my job is physical which takes it's toll. I am definitely not training for a triathlon. I am wondering if your ride is downtown Toronto only or are you passing through the suburbs as well? I am riding from East York to Markham which I am told is a bit insane. Luckily I leave at 4am and am almost all alone on the road. Coming home I am able to take trails for a substantial portion of the ride but I do have to take some of the crazy North York roads which is a bit scary. Are you able to take trails and paths? You mentioned that your commute is 18 km. Do you ride it every day, weather permitting?
@@gohomejerome2958 hello to a fellow Torontonian! I’m coming from Etobicoke and riding to midtown, and my ride is probably split 50/50 bike path/trails and roads. I’m also about twice a week, and we’ve been fairly lucky with weather this past year. There are a few days where I’ve been soaked but that’s usually on the way home 😂 Geez 4am is early! Ride safe and ride on!
If you don't already have, should get a tires/wheel set for commuting. Something more durable and more comfortable, yes heavier but that will make you stronger.
I'm retired now and still riding lots, but when I worked 9 to 5 I rode my bike as many days as possible considering weather. I used to race bikes so I'm considered a serious cyclist. When I was riding to work through crazy Toronto traffic I would pick routes that weren't traffic dense even if it took me a little out of my way, it added training km's. Yes I did the bathroom wash up routine whereas I never stunk up the office. How I considered a good safe bike ride was . . . did I have to swear/curse/yell at some driver and did any driver have to honk at me. With the answer being no I had a happy good safe ride. Remember, just ride the bike!
Best to avoid the crazy Toronto traffic and I’m lucky that I can take parts of the Humber trail and the Beltline trail to work! Thanks for watching and enjoy retirement riding 🤙
I cycle to work since early 2020 and ride 6500 km’s / year. I am 55 years old and feeling great!!
@@Michel-t8i right on! Keep it up and enjoy being on two wheels 👍
Biking has made you happier and healthier BUT it can not make you any more perfectly handsome than you already are. ♥
@@davidhunternyc1 thank you 😂
Keep peadaling stay happy.
@@andrewmurgatroyd9214 the key to happiness 👌
I rode for 1 year in New Jersey every day rain shine snow it was an amazing experience
@@davelinfoot7616 incredible! Thanks for watching and keep on riding 🤙
Sounds better than driving in traffic everyday and much healthier 👍🏿
@@NicksDynasty exactly! Better than sitting in traffic or navigating the treacherous public transit system we call the TTC here in Toronto 😂
I am cycling to work for 3 years now. I have the luck we have great dressingrooms for men and woman with a lot of lockers and 10 showers each. For me its 15km as a minimum ride. In the summer i extend the distance. And when your home you cleared your mind also after a day of hard work.
@@CyclingJef totally agree about the clear mind. Ride on and ride safe 🤙
Getting a beater MTB with studded tires for winter is a great option.
A great idea for an N+1 🤔 I just don’t have any room for another bike lol
Yeah, I hear ya. I'm kind of maxed out on my bike harem space too... If your circumstances change, winter biking is so much fun. I love riding in the snow!
I used to commute by bicycle for a decade here in Montreal, the round trip was 11km and the morning ride was slightly uphill and typically against the wind, like you I switched to public transit in winter, then the company moved to Dorval so my round trip grew to 40km which I did by bicycle about 40% of the time, unfortunately this seems to have exceeded my knee cartilage regeneration rate so I quit, I still ride regularly but the daily distance is usually less than 6km which is enough to keep me in shape…
@@georgeg7840 that’s unfortunate about your knee. Have you tried to get a proper bike fit? Crank length, seat height, q-factor (pedal width), cleat position are all factors that can accelerate knee pain/degradation if not in the right position for your body.
When i worked close to home i would ride to and from work 5 days a week for about a month. I cycled around 18km and it took me around an hour and 15 minutes each way. I genuinely couldnt stop eating. I was having two servings of almost every meal because I was that hungry. I miss being somewhat close to work.
I've also been trying to bike to work more often (only about 2x per week right now). Even that has given me noticeable fitness gains!
If the wear and tear on your bike is keeping you from riding in the winter, have you looked into getting a belt drive commuter bike? My winters are much milder here in Colorado, but I've been tempted by belt drives for the longevity and simple maintenance. Belt drives can be expensive, so maybe just a simple beater of a bike that you won't feel bad exposing to the salt would do.
@@fenderbenderspecial I’ve heard good things about belt drive 👌
I ride a completely different bike in the winter. I love the bike I ride the rest of the year, but I recommend using a throwaway fatbike or cheap ebike to tackle snowy weather. People call these a beater bike or a garbage bike--either way, I love it more than driving or using public transit.
@@notl33t a beater bike is a good call 👌
Commuting to work by bicycle changed/saved my life!! Long life to the bicycles and the cyclists!!
Right on! People underestimate how much a bicycle can change your life. Keep on riding 🤙
I cycled to work for 7 years. The distance to my office was 9 miles. Fortunately, going to work meant going downhill mostly so I wasn’t too sweaty when I got to work. I had a cabinet in the warehouse where I had stashed my street clothes and shoes and did a quick change in the restroom. But going home was the hard part, especially after a long day. But I just had to do it to go home, going mostly uphill with 1500 feet elevation gain, with me exhausted and totally covered in sweat after getting home. Total round trip time took 90 minutes. I averaged 4000 miles a year those years. I retired 10 years ago but still ride 3000 miles a year. I live Southern California so I can ride all year round.
@@warrenchu6319 wow that’s some crazy elevation gain 😱 you must’ve become a strong cyclist after all that climbing!
@@henrychungfitness Rancho Santa Margarita is surrounded by hills so I have no choice but to get used to the climbing.
But I don't have to deal with winters like in Montreal.
;-)
Chapter 1. Showers at work helps :D
@@Raykazen I wish! The work bathroom sink is a step below that 😂
Planning to start the same..truly inspiring!! If I may ask, were those shorts padded or was it just a short ride in part of the video clip? It get's a bit uncomfy after some time on the saddle. Or is your saddle comfy with a bit of cushion?
@@kwala7 I don’t wear bib shorts with padding while commuting. I actually find my seat quite comfortable (except when it gets cold out and the saddle becomes rock hard 😂). 18km one way and my goods are alive and feeling well lol. I think it’s important to get the saddle that fits your body specifically for comfort. Ride on and ride safe!
Respect! But hey,why not use an MTB over the winter months sometimes?
it's an idea! Perhaps a gravel beater bike.
for winter you should get ... a belt drive bike, if there is a fitnes or pool/sauna service before office to get a shower?
@@Rok_Piletic I’ve heard good things about belt drive for the winter 🤔
0:33 18 kilometers 11 miles was that round trip or one way? I wish America would get on board with this I constantly have to look up measurements. I was thinking about riding to work because I do not have a choice right now. My commute would only be 2 miles that's nothing maybe I could go past and back. 😂
That’s 18km/11miles one way! Maybe you can make a detour that makes your commute a bit longer so you can enjoy the ride 🤙
For those salty and mucky roads a second city hybrid bike works wonders or put some sks mudguards on the road bike. It makes a world of difference on how much dirt gets on you and the bike. I really need to get to get back to biking agian....
@@petervisser853 I’ve been meaning to get some mudguards! Thanks for the tip and for watching 👏
Let’s gooo Henry!b new sub over here
@@ikevinvu thank you thank you 🙏 looking forward to following your journey too!
Just started a new job with 12k commute. Investing in a good backrack and a covertible rucksack/pannier was a gamechanger for the sweat. I sweat a lot, but I can arrive freshier without a backpack pressing on my back. The most important thing is that it's incredibly funnier and more enjoyable than driving. Always fuck cars, such an inefficient way of moving around
@@filimario back rack and pannier sounds like the way to go!
i just started cycling to work (about 1 week) and i think this was the worst time to start. winter is coming and it isnt even in full swing yet and i can tell you it isnt fun but im going to try to stick with it. the hills are also not fun but I was and still am very out of shape but its getting easier.
It’s tough now, but it will get better. Keep on riding 💪
I cycle to work for 11 years, start my cycling season in early april and end it in the late october, 17-21 km (about 13 miles) from my home to work, and the same distance back.
I've lost 13 kg (almost 30 lbs) of weight in first 3 months of daily cycling.
@@muggzzzzz great work on the weight loss and keeping up with the cycling! Keep it up brother 💪
@@henrychungfitness Thanks, bro! Moreover, I've lost another 19 kg of weight since then. I've got six pack that i've never ever got in my life, I also started running. Now, in the off-season, I run to my work from 3 to 6 miles daily.
@@muggzzzzz six pack is shredded! Good work on all the hard work 💪
I cycle 30 mile round trip to work every day. Then on Friday evenings I cycle 65 miles to my girlfriend's and Mondays another 65 miles back to work from hers. So total of 200 miles Monday to Friday. Do you think I'll notice a difference after a year if doing that? I can do 14 miles in 50 minutes now.
That’s a whole lot of cycling! You will definitely notice a difference with all those miles. Keep it up 💪
Have you considered a belt driven bike for snow riding? I hear they're good for snow riding.
@@Krueger444 I’ve heard good things about belt drive for the snow. N+1 🤔
31 years riding to work. Aged 47 now. Height 6ft and weigh under 12 stone. Health benefits and fuel savings are big points. Also quicker to cycle than drive as traffic to work is really busy.
@@JMJC1 right on! You’re an inspiration, keep it up and ride safe 🤙
For anyone thinking that cycling to work can only be done on a track bike while sweating, there is an alternative. A city / trekking bike is a lot more relaxed, even though is slower. You can also get an electric one for more comfort and speed.
A good option for sure! You can cycle to work as leisurely or as intense as you want. As long as you're on two wheels 👍
I think one source of the cycling debate in North America is that drivers and suburban folks think that all biking has to be a workout, like what you are actively trying to achieve, when the reality is that at half the pace, you wouldn’t get to work sweaty at all. Cycling advocacy should try to decouple Lycra from bike lanes and I say this as someone that owns a carbon road bike!
In the cooler months, I ride a cheap folding bike with fenders to work instead of my road bike. It has more basic components that handle grime better and you can take it on public transit for sections of your commute that aren’t safe in the winter.
@@ianchissy completely agree with you! Many of my rides are pretty relaxed rides, but I can’t help sweating when it’s 30C+ outside 😂 good call on the cheap bike with fenders, I’ll have to get some.
Whats the long cycling clothes you are rocking? I’m searching for something that isn’t Lycra but still not baggy
@@jacobpedersen2368 there are good cycling gear from the likes of Santic and Darevie jackets that I’m wearing, and as for pants I wear warm jogger pants or hiking pants 👌
I cycle 15km to work most days of the week.
Takes me about 40min. Crazy thing is is that it's faster compared to the car due to the traffic and having to park my car away from the office which adds another 10min.
@@Asdos. those 40min are way better than being in a car stuck in traffic. Keep it up!
I've had a 6 km bike commute for 11 years and the only thing I haven't figured out is what to do with the knowledge that most people do not care at all if they hurt you once they are in a car. On the other hand, only one person has actually aggressively targeted me, and they were charged with a felony. (Get a Gopro, people.) Even with all the drama, driving is often more stressful.
@@ryankamper6227 it’s because they feel powerful in a car with a cage surrounding them and they don’t realize what it’s like to be vulnerable on a bike. Stay safe and ride on 🤙
first person to save money with road bikes involved :O
Rule #14.3 of the cycling handbook says thou shalt use thou saved money on other bikes and components 😂
Proper winter gears so important i just learned that today i was planing 50miles ride but only make it 20miles. I now know i need ear warmer and not fingerless gloves
Agreed, when it’s cold and you’re not prepared every part of the ride hurts. Ride warm and ride safe!
I cycle to work every day when I am working the office. Which, since March 2020, isn't that often. But I only have a 2km ride, so it's really not counting as a workout, lol.
Before I changed jobs I had a ride of 5km, which was a bit more of a workout (especially when cycling home because it was mostly uphill). But it wasn't a good cycling route, always along the main road with little to no cycling infrastructure.
Before _that_ I lived in a different city and had a different job. 15km commute that did have some nicer scenery. But every time I arrived at the city it became the worst part of the day. Motorists don't care much for cyclists, and they simply ignore them for the most part. Lost count of how many traffic violations I encountered (close passes, ignored priority, etc.). The worst part: It was only like 1km through the city until I reached the office. Again, the lack of cycling infrastructure just made everything so much worse.
Also, I really felt my legs on Fridays because of all the workout I had during the week. Somehow it didn't get better even though I cycled regularly. Maybe it was a psychological effect, I don't know.
Didn't have any savings though, because my workplace paid for my public transport ticket. Still, even with all the downsides, I preferred cycling because it always took me ~45 minutes. With public transport I spent 45 minutes at best, and 60 minutes if things went bad. Plus, I didn't need to spend so much time at the gym anymore.
@@wohlhabendermanager were you consuming enough energy and electrolytes to meet the demands of the cycling? I find if I don’t eat and hydrate enough then I’m not able to recover properly, and then my body compounds the soreness.
@@henrychungfitness I think I did, yes. But I'm not 100% sure. I did notice the increased appetite though, and ate more during the day than I usually did.
I also bike to work. Not as long a you, only 2 miles. However I will not continue in the winter because in Syracuse the bike lane is for plowed snow only.
Any ride is worth it no matter the distance 👌
After coming back to cycling after 9 years, I found out that I lost weight even though I increase my food intake. Riding around town makes me hungry and thirsty and those street foods are so inviting.
Always hungry! Awesome that you have cheap street eats 👍
the best trick if you do not want have sweat is. cut off all sugar input. including carbo.
i guarantee you after 5 day you have no sweat. but the down side, some people cannot adapt with new diet and they literally dying and low in energy.
That makes no sense
@@Benno828282 did you try it?
if you never try but judging me without no active work you better never commenting
@@endtimeslips4660 I’ve never heard of this, but I also love my carbs especially when training for triathlon 🤷♂️
@@henrychungfitness in the first 3 day you will start urinating more often, and you will feel never enough drinking.
when no glucose in our blood from food or drink our body will reduce it capacity to store water in our cell and in blood.
if our blood sugar high our body will store more water. when we did extreme by not eat any sugar or carbo contain glucose. our body lose huge it capacity to store water.
we will urinating more often and feel so thirsty at first 3 day.
entering 4th day you start dizzy because no carb or sugar input. but the positive side because our body more dry. we will sweat less.
i did this when i want go climb or long ultra cyclist i start strict carnivore + salad diet no sugar or carbo. it help reduce sweat and it will reduce body weight 1-1,5kg.
because the water are going out.
after 4th day body will start to adapt.
5th day you will evaluate is your body can handle or not. if your body cannot handle the symptom you will low energy no motivation and got heavy headache. but if your diet success our jersey will keep clean even after long ride because we sweat a lot less.
this is very dangerous. some people got gastric problem, 5th day evaluation is very important. we do not want faint in the middle riding or got bonk. 5th day determine if you can continue or not.
Yeah I started noticing the eating part too 😂. I'm not used to going three times a day, coming from once every two to three days. Takes some getting used to!
@@OnesoulfirstorderTwolifetimes every 2-3 days?! Thank goodness you’re regular now geez. I think you saved your life by cycling 🤔