We Cycled To Work Every Day For A Month & This Is What Happened!

[@gcn]

Did you take on the commuter challenge? If so, how did you get on?

[@wyrierit]

No, I didn't knew about it as I have Facebook and Instagram banned in Russia (and don't know where did you post it). Since September, if I am were going to study, I'm using my bike to cycle 16-17km to the destination and back. Currently I'm ill and don't know if challenge is still going.

[@machidaman]

It was the only month i didn't commute on my bike - torn calf muscle which is only just getting back to rideable.

[@apm9507]

Took the GCN commute challenge but eastern Idaho got ice and snow, so I ended up with a commute with GMBN challenge too. My Salsa Marakesh touring gravel bike and single speed cafe racer don't handle ice and snow well. My Surly Pugsley fat tire bike handles gravel shoulders with grass, road junk, ice and snow like a champ.

[@apm9507]

However, I cycle to work since 2016. The GCN and GMBN commute challenge was an easy victory considering that I was already doing it effectively.

[@simonm1447]

I cycle to work by bike (9,4 km each way) since 2018, even during winter.

[@georgemorton7141]

Getting burnt by two oldies on e-bikes is the most relatable statement ever out out on GCN.

[@__-bk6mm]

Even as a younger person on an e-bike flying past anyone is super fun and satisfying though I always give a hearty hello to everyone I smoke :D

[@daryl4841]

​@@__-bk6mm If you're on an ebike you didn't "smoke" anybody in even any small way, shape, or form. Enjoy your ride.

[@carolynheaney715]

@@daryl4841 Quite! e-cycling isn’t real cycling.

[@michellezevenaar]

The max speed is 25km on an ebike. I have an e cargo bike and even when I'm doing 25km (I'm normally doing 20km) lots of normal bikes are passing me easily!

[@willmo1725]

Yeah fist time grannie passed me i thought i must be in terrible shape. Till i realized she had a e bike. Its funny.

[@geoffreyhoney122]

Absolutely love this content! Hats off to all the commuters! Love their honesty and resolve. It's great how they each personalised the experience and made it their own, showing the full spectrum of possibilities. Now retired, I bike everywhere in the city to shop etc trips under 30km. When working I started commuting daily through a brutal Canadian winter as an experiment to see if I could do it. Modifying clothing for weather and some preparation is key, but the fun won out! Studded tires for ice helped. When people were incredulous, I would ask if they liked cross-country skiing. Great fitness, great fun ,great savings! Keep going and be reasonable all! Thanks for this gcn!

[@Songbirdstress]

It's surprising what you can do with the right equipment.

[@gcn]

Great stuff! Enjoy the winter riding, sounds tough 🥶

[@mrAdrian01215]

My commute is 65km each way. Did a back & forth once and took about 5.5hrs! It's full of potholes and wet now but once it clears up I'll do more of it, maybe just one way and hitch a ride back home

[@dougwedel9484]

Different kinds of bikes, including ebikes, trikes, recumbent bikes and trikes, tandems, and so many more, all of these can make commuting easier and give some variety to the commute. My favourite is the Brompton because it's so handy to take into a store or cafe. Now that they have an electric assist version, there is no reason for anyone not to bike commute.

[@muning9577]

The fact that they did not discourage their self to face the challenge thats a winning factor no one loses they are all winners.

[@johndoiron9615]

Harriet is my favorite!

[@josephwanjohi81]

yes i do cycle on an antic road bike 66 km five time a week navigating through good drivers and truly mad truck ones very good really.

[@Tattersail]

i didn't take part in the challenge, but i used to commute daily for the previous 3 seasons. 16km each way, 290m / 190m climbing depending on direction. Hauling a Laptop and change of clothes. My lower back would start complaining on day 4 out of 5, and that wasn't much fun, so I've started mixing it up with public transportation. In particular when carrying a lot of stuff.

[@petergeorgiou9633]

Been cycling 6 miles each way to work past couple of years, recently got a commuter ebike only because I’m often facing a headwind.. I find it great for mental health

[@chones_]

Si needs to honor his word and get that dude a road bike.

[@Ramon314]

I am commuting about 10,000km a year and it is beneficial for about all aspects of life. It's cheaper, healthier and not even slower. It not being slower is more a specific situation for me though. But the other two things are for everyone I bet.

[@eliyahuberkowitz2812]

Great video. I work from home but I want to bike every day. This helped. I need to set up a system in which I have no choice but to get in the saddle

[@hbp2m]

I didn't take the challenge, but in the last 7 months there has a total of approx. 10 days where I didn't cycle to work. I have 8 km to work, so it is not that much.

[@TheMadrac]

I did commute by bike most of the summer, I think it was just 2 days I skipped because the heavy rain. It's not a really long one, just around 15km on way, but with a nasty hill at the end of it, last 3km is uphill. It was fun, lost some weight and it barely takes more time than with car with collogues, because I can take a lot shorter road.

[@Songbirdstress]

This, often the car route is longer.

[@rockntruckr]

What a fun video had me laughing and learning

[@bikeskimawk670]

Well done to all!🎉

[@homersadiarin9299]

Can't do it. It has been raining a lot due to tropical thunderstorms lately. Going to work sweaty is alright but soaking wet is definitely not. I'd do it about 2 twice in my 5 days work at most depending on the weather.

[@williamspitzschuh8167]

if you gonna ride to work everyday you need SRAM AXS or DI2

[@paolocruz8392]

I think I'm really going to buy a commuter centric e bike 😅. It's hot in our country, the PH, and I don't want to sweat too much.

[@prem007rocks]

Hey, the follower from India. Could you suggest an economical bike for Indian roads. My route to office has lot of Flyovers and Daily commute is 25km 1 way (effectively 50km) round trip. I have to carry laptop with me. So a road bike or Hybrid which should be choice? I have a Mountain bike (Hero Sprint next 3.0).

[@shepshape2585]

Congrats to all of you, but especially like, Alice, like, she, like, rode, like, so many, like, miles, like, and like learned, like, about, like, the social, like, aspects, like, of cycling.

[@jamesshelley5143]

I really enjoyed this video showing the "every day" cyclist. Really encouraging for those of us that are not into competitive cycling. More like this! Thank you!

[@gcn]

Thanks James! We'll get these guys bike i'm sure 🙌

[@tomimaanoja772]

Touche! The original video came out just as my bus ticket was expiring. And now I haven't taken the bus to work for a month now. 12k. Great motivation. Fun content.

[@questgivercyradis8462]

Yeah, more "daily cyclist" stuff! I don't need to get there the fastest - I just need to get there in one piece with all my stuff. How much luggage or groceries can I haul up a hill? Practical stuff!

[@robintaylor1466]

Hear, hear

[@ColinBroderickMaths]

My commute is 16-20 miles each way depending on route. Been doing it for about six weeks now I think. If you want to make it easy, just don't give yourself any other options :). I used to do this commute a day or two per week, then about six weeks ago got rid of the car, which I do not miss at all, so now I'm cycling it every day. I find it's psychologically a lot easier than it used to be because there is no other way, so there's nothing to think about.

[@willmo1725]

How long is the ride then, bout an hour. Wondering how long it would be for me to cycle back and forth..

[@Songbirdstress]

@@willmo1725 I would definitely commute that far. I had 50 km commute, I used to take the train with the e bike and ride half way home (sometimes all the way, but that was complicated). I hated my job, but it was worth it just for the ride. I think 25 km would be fine. Time depends on the terrain. I avoid roads as much as possible.

[@Rainaman-]

Easy to say when you don't have physical work

[@danmanthe9335]

@@Rainaman- I found that with a physical job it was mentally harder to start but I still felt better at the end

[@theundead1600]

I have 25 mile one way. And honestly I have stuff that needs to be done for work after work and back to school soon. But my thoughts are a decent geared e bike. So I’m not trashed at the hospital for work or late for school. But after school I think I could do a few days at 50 miles a day even at 49 years old lol. Great post.

[@LouiseRose74]

I’ve been commuting 5 days a week for the last 32 years. 20 mile round trip, no matter what the weather is like and no lazy days.

[@garethwatkins6347]

Well done 👏 ❤❤❤

[@rcmain1]

So I just sold my car this past Thursday to start commuting by bike full time. I started off back in April commuting once a week then twice and now I'm at the point I felt I wanted to and can commit to it. I've an 18 mile commute each way and it's honestly my favorite part of the day. Since I've started biking I've had more energy, started eating healthier, had more quality sleep, consistently arrived on time, and I simply find more enjoyment in things. Thanks for the inspiration Y'all!

[@daniels.2720]

Great & keep Pedalling ! It's been 5 years + for me.

[@robertwiley7744]

How long has your commute been taking you? By the way, nice job!

[@rcmain1]

@@robertwiley7744 It is usually about 1: 05 but I give my self 1: 30 incase of mechanicals. Like just the other week my left pedal fell off and stripped the threads with about 4 miles left so here I am pedaling with one leg to make it to class on time🤣

[@gcn]

Yes yes yes! Glad you're enjoying riding so much 🙌

[@williamfowler5260]

You should go back to the first video with Harriet and ask her to repeat the same challenges now to see exactly how much she has improved after a month of commuting.

[@jigglypuff4227]

Good idea

[@gcn]

Nice idea, she's on it now 🙌 Give Manon a run for her money

[@__-bk6mm]

Oh so Harriet is an official member of the GCN team now? That's pretty cool!

[@stevek8829]

Next she'll be doing Land's End to John o' Groats, then Unbound, then Race Across America. Poor, Harriet, don't sign anything.

[@LC-zq9bk]

@@stevek8829 🤣

[@manji001]

Don't teach her anything cyclocross

[@allannadobson4424]

Hell yeah Harriet 💥 ride on

[@MrPercyThrillington]

Yay, Harriet!

[@DamienCalnon-uq7zj]

Since the pandemic I have become a home worker. Prior to that I commuted twice a week (throughout the year) 37km each way. Things I learnt: 1. Mudguards all year round. 2. You can do it on any bike - I did it on MTB, hybrid and vintage Raleighs. 3. Leave a spare set of clothes and towel at work. 4. Lights and hi vis are very important. 5. Safer in the dark on country roads than in a city because you show up easier from a distance rather than street lighting. 6. Assume that car drivers on going to pull out on you. 7. Don't ride too fast in the city. Even if an accident with a driver may not be your fault, do don't want to risk injury. 8. If using clipless, use MTB spd's which are much easier use. 9. Leave your lock at work. 10. Banana and peanuts with a coffee are an excellent reward for the ride. 11. Only by commuting for a long period you really find out what kit works - ignore the hype. 12. Rack and panier for long distance commutes. Otherwise invest in a good rucksack which is large enough to store clothing. 13. Most of my journeys had a massive difference in temperature from the morning ride to the afternoon ride. Therefore, on those days leg and arm warmers for the morning section. As I work from home now, nearly every day I go for a ride from my house back to my house. Is this a commute?!

[@ucanskixc568]

Very good points!

[@calejandroo]

Been commuting to work for the past 3 years 16kms round trip 5 days a week. Feels great warming up the mind and getting the blood flowing before work.

[@Rod_SCL]

same for 6 years.

[@b145701s]

Same for 3years aswell but i finally got myself an e bike rather than riding my old roadbike

[@gcn]

Great way to wake you up isn't it! 👍

[@janfriebe]

Congrats to all of you! Wow. I started myself three years ago for my 30km / 18 miles commute to work. I have never related to a video so much until now. Getting organized, stop thinking - just go and the highlight of being outside to take in nature. Even rainy days become enjoyable after some time. Yet I haven’t managed to find a mindset to enjoy headwinds 😂

[@gcn]

Ah headwinds... nasty work! 😵‍💫

[@MaximEck96]

My mindset is "I'm gonna have a massive tailwind on the way back". And obviously 99% of the time by the time I get off work, wind has either died (not so bad) or completely switched direection (shit here we go again) ^^

[@cccycling5835]

Just like with climbs, headwinds never get anymore pleasant or easier, you just get faster 😂 Gotta learn to enjoy the struggle!

[@seascape]

How about giving Harriet a new set of brakes and pads to increase her confidence going downhill on a wet road, and having her install and adjust them with guidance on GCN Tech?

[@rickgantz6745]

Been car free for a year now and my biggest take away has to be the mental part of it. I’m so much happier and less stressed since I started. It’s not a long commute to work but I also run all my errands on my bike. I get in at least 100 miles a week. Congratulations to everyone who took part in the challenge, well done! Always a fun video with Harriet involved!

[@ThePianoman--]

Great. Hats off to >100 miles a week.

[@gcn]

100 miles not be sniffed at! Nice one Rick 🙌

[@Jaxxv01]

I've also been a lot less stressed overall since I've started bike commuting!

[@bradleywood453]

Ditto, except that I haven't sold the car yet. Life is better on a bike!

[@thebr0wnhornet]

I’m here for all Harriet videos. Casually brushing off skidding into a parked car on a wet hill? SAVAGE! How long before she’s hitting jumps with gmbn Blake?

[@gcn]

Harriet vs GMBN... got a nice ring to it 👀

[@kimsue429]

Love Harriet's honesty at the end! Well done to all!

[@cilldaracyclist2822]

I'm with Steve on this, I used to commute 70km roundtrip which would take me around 90 mins a day (each way) I done that for just over 2 months and the burnout you feel doing 5 or 6 days a week is crazy on top of an 8 hr shift and takes the fun out of cycling completely, at least it did for me but now I've the car I can pick and choose the days I cycle so all good.

[@gcn]

Perhaps picking and choosing is the best option 👍

[@cccycling5835]

Commuting too much took too much of my legs for the weekend rides so I had to cut back. My commute to work is about 30-40 miles both ways however. (All flat though)

[@raulmur4772]

My commute is 6 miles each way, 3 times a week with a bit of road but mostly country lane which makes it a pleasant experience. Needing to conquer the dark mornings and evenings now and obviously the inclement weather at this time of year. Determined to stick at it.

[@danmanthe9335]

There are some really bright lights out there that will make a huge difference

[@Songbirdstress]

Make sure you have good quality waterproofs and I have a windproof toasty skull cap. I'm actually warmer than when I take the train.. I was surprised how well I could see with my lights.

[@danmanthe9335]

@@Songbirdstress it's amazing how warm a skull cap will keep you. Good gloves too because your brake levers are probably metal

[@Songbirdstress]

@@danmanthe9335 Yup.

[@gcn]

Keep it up! 👌

[@lordraiden5398]

I started seriously riding at age 20. I lost my driver's license and rode my Vitus 979 everywhere for about four years. Got married and moved from California to Michigan at age 27. Stopped riding completely and gained 60 pounds. One morning while leaving for work my car would not start. My 40 year old self saw my son's Target special mountain bike and thought I will just ride to work. It took me almost 2hrs to ride 18 1/2 miles. My heart was jumping out of my chest. I was light headed and sweating profusely but something awakened in me. 2 weeks later I bought a Trek 1000SL. Over the next 5 years I rode to work 2 to 3 times a week when weather allowed. Rode on a trainer during winter. Got my time to work down to 55 minutes and got my weight down to 183. During that time I got divorced and married a second time. New wife wanted me home and not out riding. Gained back all the weight. Got divorced again and now at 55 looking at a Canyon Roadlite 6. ROUND 3! (Cycling not marriage)

[@efimlos]

Thanks for sharing. It makes me want to start riding my bike again

[@efimlos]

Roadlite bike is good I have Canyon Roadlite 5

[@Markbell73]

Women are dream killers. Keep the bike. Ditch the ball and chain. Life is grand........ Without the devil!

[@SAXONWARLORD1000AD]

NOW THATS A GREAT STORY - RIDE ON BROTHER

[@jfru5trate11]

I went from car to train and now been biking 7.5miles each way to work everyday for the past 4 months! I actually look forward to commuting to work now and you’ve got to love that ‘runners’ (bikers) high to start your day at work =)

[@gcn]

Great buzz to start the day off 🙌

[@nigelbrown4615]

Interesting. I commute regularly (approx 8.5 miles each way). Advantages are improved mental health (I can do a brain dump easier on the bike), not having to attempt to find a parking space at work, big savings on petrol, and a lot fitter (and can justify a big slice of cake during morning tea break). Disadvantages - it can be knackering (especially if get a cold), ice in winter as cycle path not gritted, this week's highlight of a pedestrian in dark clothes walking a black dog in the unlit section of the route. This may change if in person meetings become the norm as these involve travelling to other sites during the working day - MS Teams lets me do the usual commute without worrying about the additional 15 miles to another site for an afternoon meeting. Am now in my early 60s and have cycled to work on and off since starting work. Generally when cycling / train + cycle have been fitter and slept better.

[@adamwilson6423]

Great video! I’ve been commuting to work for the last 6 years. Approx 14 miles / 23km each way. The comment about having a routine is so true. When I get home from work I’ll prepare my bag with my clothes etc so I don’t have to think about it in the morning. Having your bike setup the way you like to commute is really important. I’m not a fan of riding with a bag on my back (sweaty back is no fun), so it’s panniers or on frame bike bags for me & allows me to keep wet weather riding gear always packed & ready to be deployed.

[@gcn]

It's worth trying some different thing out and finding what works for you 🙌

[@madmick9205]

Absolutely well done everyone. I am trying to get my partner to commute 4 miles to work, without much success. What is clear is that challenges come in all shapes and sizes. That may just be in the extra work involved in getting out the door. The weather or a particular hill. My own problem is that I work from home. So am struggling with my own motivation on a daily basis. These types of vids and challenges do help with this though. So, a big thanks to you all:)

[@thomasjefferson182]

Before I had a car I had to cycle EVERYWHERE. On days I didn’t feel motivated I would make a realllllly strong black coffee. Once you start feeling a little jittery it’s a great motivator to move to burn that feeling off but yeah that’s just an unsolicited suggestion 🙃

[@knightwish1623]

Get an Ergometer and ride on that 10 min. before and 10 min. after starting work 😂

[@fr3heart]

I'm not sure how to help your partner get motivated for the commute, it really does have to have some level of internal motivation on their part. Maybe look at what marketers call the pain points - What can they avoid doing/how will they improve their life by cycling. But for your problem, I started working from home during the pandemic, after a week or so without being able to commute, especially home from work, I got an indoor trainer and would finish my day with half an hour on that. It was a start of a journey that led to now riding 40-50 miles on the regular with occasional 100 mile rides - for fun!

[@rob-c.]

Do you have the time/flexibility in working hours in the morning to do the 4 miles with your partner (and back) before starting work at home? Your partner will likely be more motivated if they are riding with you and then you get a ride in too?

[@madmick9205]

@@fr3heart I'm picking up a direct drive turbo trainer today has it happens. Thinking of using swift. It ought to help with an injury. Also, help motivate my partner some...

[@dougpence3862]

A month, eh, try 10 years+, rain, sleet, hail, snow...lots of snow on studded tires (granted my commute distance is only 5 miles), but also get groceries and do errands with large panniers. My car does not get 30 miles per gallon, but 6 months to the tank. I dislike cars...would like to not own the one I have.

[@christopherhood9241]

the best bit of the daily cycle commute : guaranteed seat

[@andyk2181]

...and no cancellations, just the occasional puncture repair.

[@TikeMyson69]

Unless your bike gets nicked.

[@jomarvista8646]

@@andyk2181 use airless tires and no more puncture repairs!

[@Metalshark100]

@@jomarvista8646 it's rare but not impossible. Seen tyres spray sealant all over the concrete before and never resealed.

[@jomarvista8646]

@@Metalshark100 airless like tanus tires. No sealant. Those solid rubber tires. Haha

[@jackmarkmcgill]

Love it I’m local legend on every segment on my way to work… I just don’t have a car

[@QoraxAudio]

Meh. I don't own a car anyways. But I'm not a cyclist. I'm just a guy on a bike going to work. Work is close by, about 25km a day.

[@danmanthe9335]

Bike commuting is a gateway drug. I just moved to the mountains of Colorado and I need to figure out how to deal with the snow

[@juney.4157]

I used to commute by bike and it took 2hours 1 way (cuz i was a beginner and very slow). Since i can park my bike inside the building, i commuted only 1way each day. cycled to work on one day, take the train to home, to work, and cycled home the next day. The sense of achievement was great to see all the pr's and seeing that i can finish the same route 20 min faster now.

[@Songbirdstress]

Thats the key, options :)

[@tinatpasselepoivre]

hey, I too was slow and not very efficient. I picked up a rpm sensor (25eu) plus app (5eu) and forced myself to ride between 75 and 85 rpm as much as possible. It changed my life... I ended up being less faitgued, faster (!) and had no pains whatsoever. Although keep in mind that recommendation only work if your bike is well setup (saddle hight, longitudinal position, angle, bar ends and bars, etc.)

[@gcn]

Nice one! Will you go back to riding to work? 🔎

[@machidaman]

That 2 hour commute 😱 Mine is 2 miles each way and there are days when I look longingly at the car. Noted the Huel there. It is a great way to get that extra protein and the calories - cheap as hell and plant based too.

[@raychessum2890]

Been regularly riding to work for about 12 years now. I have a few different routes I can take to break up the monotony of doing the same route over and over. Distances range from 16-30k depending on how fit/motivated I’m feeling on the day or if time pressures dictate. A good thing is I regularly see other riders doing the same as me and most nod or wave or say hello, I don’t actually know any of them but I feel we all “know” each other because of what we do.

[@gcn]

the commuter mod is a great thing 👌

[@Kyle-rf5mb]

Any advice on what gear to get for the winter periods?

[@ACTIVEPAIR]

I used to love my 10 mile commute across Plymouth, at certain times of day it was quicker. I was a shift worker so on earlies had lovely quiet rides (dodging drunks in Union Street!) and Dog Watch a quiet 3am ride home👍🏽 Had to do it on a MTB a couple times due to snow/slush/ice! Well done all 👏🏽

[@austinjohnson6292]

I commute 7.34 miles to work like 6 days a week & I've been doing this for months already

[@RustyWalker]

I'm wealthier, healthier, and exhausted. Is that allowed? It's 6 nights a week, 8 miles each way, for 6 years though, so I think it should be.

[@roberttell1587]

Great video! Been commuting for 12 years and it still takes motivation to get out in the cold and the wet. Congrats to all the volunteers and here’s hoping they inspire more to try it.

[@ThePianoman--]

I've been commuting all of my work life (30 years) and living in a city this always felt natural, come wind or rain. It's just bad weather sometimes, nothing to be afraid of. Riding the bike should be a no-brainer.

[@Professor_sckinnctn]

Everyone is awesome in this video, but Harriet is a star.

[@993cupswe]

I started taking my bike to work when covid started in march 2020 and I have not taken the subway to work once since then, I live in Oslo so it’s a bit of a struggle in the winter but with good studded tires it works. I have 3.5km to work fastest way but I normally take a detour each way so 10-15 km each way and think it’s a great way to get the day started 😀

[@ThePianoman--]

I'm skeptical about the direction of this video. But perhaps this is a cultural thing. Ok, so here I go: Commuting by bike should be the most normal trivial obvious thing to do if you're close to work, let's say 5 miles (8 km) or less. So given the distance I'm mostly talking about people living and working in cities. The decision to do that should require no thought at all, it should be like getting out of bed, get fresh and be ready for your daily tasks. The video shown here is more about taking on big or even epic challenges, giving it all for a very short and limited amount of time (one month) and then stopping it completely. Ok, so you earned your bragging rights. Probably this is the usual way of commuting in car-centric countries like the UK or even more the US. Wouldn't it be better to show some average people on average bikes doing _average_ distances in workwear instead of those once-in-a-lifetime challenges? So the casual viewer might think, Oh my, that looks too hard for me, I'm too old for that shit, I don't have a high-quality bike etc. I like the notion that I'm not a cyclist (yep, that's from NotJustBikes). In the morning I step out of the door in my office clothes, get on my dutch-looking bike, no helmet, and on I go. Why? It's simple the most sensible way to get to work. At the office I don't shower or change my clothes, I start my work day just as if I'd come by car or train. Commuting by bike should be the most normal thing you can do.

[@LarryDudek]

I retired from work in 2018, but the last 10 years I worked I commuted by bike 12-15 miles each way in NE USA. I commuted all year round in temps 95F to 7F. Rain and light snow with studded tires. I used both roads and trails which included all sorts of wildlife airings including geese, beavers and one day a black bear. Since I reduced my annual car mileage by over 5000 miles I was able to reduce my car insurance and fuels costs enough to pay for at least one of my bikes. I loved every minute of it and it’s the only thing I miss in retirement 😊.

[@gcn]

Now you've got even more time to ride! 🙌

[@guntherkerschbaumer1991]

41km & 550m climbing each way for my commute. Hard on the body to do both ways every day…rotating by driving car in morning with bike loaded. Come back on the bike, next morning in with the bike and back with the car plus bike loaded. That way the extra luggage and change of clothing is also managed. Tip number 3: leave an extra pair of shoes at work to reduce weight.

[@kb_100]

The commutes would be easier if they used commuter/urban bikes with racks and fenders/mud guards. They seem to mostly be using road bikes and backpacks. I switched my commute from my road bike to a commuter and the experience is a lot better. I am more comfortable, more stable and have a better field of vision in the upright position. I am slower but it's not an issue during my commute. I still use my road bike on weekend rides.

[@jorritvandommelen]

I am sure at least 50% of my collegues (and there are over 200 of them) do their commute by bike every day no matter the weather, but hey, I am from the Netherlands. Having said that, for most it is < 10km bike ride on completely flat terrain with perfect cycling infrastructure. Myself, I do 20km one way commute by bike all year long, about 80% of the time. The other 20% is due to bad weather or mandatory visits to clients, training and so on at the start or end of the day which prevents me from cycling. I hate those days. In spring or summer I take a detour on my way back about 2 or 3 times a week. All of this gives me about 8000km/year just from commutes. Cycling or taking the car takes me more or less the same amount of time, with the car having a far greater uncertainty in arrival time. By cycling I feel a lot better, I burn about 1000 calories more, makes me sleep better, let me wake up better. And I also love the fact that I can eat whatever I want and don't have to feel bad about sitting on the couch and do nothing the whole evening.

[@benhall1799]

I commute 13 miles each way, do 4 days on e-bike then Friday on the gravel bike, lost 3 stone since May.

[@Z-u-m-a]

Great idea. It's only 3 yards across the drive to my garage office though - would that count? :)

[@themeatshow]

I really wanted to participate but currently my commute is from the bedroom to the home office and let me tell you, that stairwell is a beast on a bike.

[@avrilone]

Hey guys, thanks for bringing Harriet back! She’s amazing, reminds me of myself, when I first started Cycling. Please bring her back again. Love the show, keep it coming! ❤❤❤⭐

[@ArmandGirard]

+1 for bringing back Harriet

[@avrilone]

@@ArmandGirard 👍

[@gcn]

Thanks Joel, Harriet smashed it 💪

[@wrapbars4getcars]

We need more Harriet!

[@darrin2382]

The best thing about this? Normal people with normal bikes. Not that its not wrong for GCN to focus on lycra and the best bikes money can buy....just that us common folk can relate to this more easily. Good work!

[@bikecommuter24]

There is no shame in walking a bike, be it weather, terrain or it just doesn't feel right. I sometimes have to ride down by a strip mall to go shopping and it has three blind exits so I get off my bike and walk it by those exits, stopping to look to make sure cars don't run me over. Cheers.

[@glennhinrichsen5999]

Some of us do that all year long. It is our mode of transportation to get to work. I rode 38 miles a day with 1000 ft of climb year round

[@gcn]

That's a lot of miles!

[@doubletapp5967]

I've been riding my bike to and from work since I was 17 I'm almost 26 now

[@Ramon314]

Me being a lucky Dutch person. Commuting is actually almost the norm.

[@fazzerful]

I've commuted to work and back now for quite a few years. It's great for my fitness and wellbeing. It is hard on some days with the weather and traffic but every time it beats getting back in the van as I'm saving money and getting fit. I'm cycling from Preston to Lytham which is pretty flat but it's about 17miles each way depending on which route so I'm racking up the miles. Definitely a sense of achievement before I've even started work and being a secondary school teacher cycling home sorts me out.

[@Songbirdstress]

lol, yes.

[@terrainterna7747]

My commute is about an hour each way and even though it’s in London I can stay zone 2-ish the whole way. Commuting can be a perfect way to get aerobic base miles in (assuming no bastard hills in the way!).

[@simonsepic]

I literally ride everyday to work whatever the weather. Can I have a job on gcn too????

[@Alltkringcykling]

Realy fun episode. I agree that you need to plan the day before. But it is worth it :-) . Bike to work and se the sunrise is amazing. At first you are more tired the end of the week. But now at least I have more enery. Keep up the good work :-) .

[@johnsongusion]

Well, watching them grow every week until they grew by two cups is definitely satisfying, I went with what I commented about and after the first 20 days or so I went up by one cup! I simply go'ogled the latest by Mika Klopsworth and now they’re fuller and firmer than I expected!

[@akactors]

15 miles each way in ssn diego. I HATE TRAFFIC and i ride thoudsnds of miles cross country for vacations. I LOVE gravel back roads5

[@akactors]

Package? Text who? Hire me to run your san diego megabase and do crazy adventures. 66 years upung. I new take on adventure cyclists.

[@gabjam]

Been doing Bath - Bristol and back on the B2B path 5 days a week for 7 years; beats every other method of getting between the two cities! You adapt to it very quickly, as long as you have multiple sets of wet weather gear in winter!

[@eterlizzi]

I always have a better outlook on my day when I commute. Been doing it since 2008 and it changed my life. Short way- 30 miles round trip. Longer as many as 25 miles one way if I want. Do it! You will not regret it.

[@jeymsbarayan]

Great job everyone. One less car is all we need.

[@mgapagnolo1819]

Congratulations to all the participants. From the beginners to more experienced riders, the change of lifestyle is so positive, in every way. This video showed the can do attitude of the participants. During the winter months I find it hard to commute by bicycle due to the possiblility of snow(and sometimes a lot of snow) and and minus 0 degree temperature. In the warmer seasons it is awesome.

[@gcn]

Thanks for commenting! Glad you enjoyed it. We really wanted to show off all the cyclists that are out there. Commuting to work is a great way to start off the day. Roll on summer ☀️

[@joejohnson560]

Harriet is all of us! More Harriet and can we all donate to get her better brakes?!?

[@braayan03]

Get her the pinarelli thingy 😂

[@alrossy2584]

When the ride to work is quicker than the car it's a smug feeling, nothing beats that feeling.

[@gcn]

Going past all the traffic certainly is fun!

[@kevinbagnall8185]

In the summer I do 23 km each way 3 days a week (other 2 are wfh). Once the snow flys I switch to my winter bike and do a drive/bike combo. Well done all those who participated!!!!

[@gcn]

Nice riding Kevin! 🙌

[@kentswarroom8919]

I pedal to work everyday ...for the last 5 years ...40k everyday...single speed...38/16....I am busy building a fixie ...can't wait to start commuting with the fixie...

[@andreemurray7039]

Ride every day much more fun and a great way to unwind only use the car when needed do have a winter bike with mudguards and a summer bike so sorted

[@DarenC]

I miss the bike commute. Used to ride to/from work every day for years, come sun, rain, hail or snow. But since March 2020 when we all got sent home due to Covid-19 I've only been to the office about 3 times. It's definitely had a negative impact on my fitness

[@adamcharles9090]

I live in Perth Australia, where blue skies and good weather are typically a given. Commuting every day of a given week or month really isn't a challenge. I'd have a much harder timing catching the train or bus every day, that would make me miserable :/

[@corecreekproductions6533]

Great video! As a former bike commuter it’s nice to hear how this went, and I’m so happy to see how many of them plan to continue….

[@gcn]

They are smashing it! 💪

[@Quarky_]

I think the most realistic commute situation is mixed mode, e.g I have two bikes, one at home (nice one) and another at work (2nd hand), and I ride to the station, take the train, then again ride to work. Depending on the weather or my energy level, I sometimes take the bus to the station. If I were to do the whole (which I did try a few times), it's an exhausting work day.

[@rachelhaney9066]

I just started cycling to work (5mi each way) and I love it! The mid-post cycling butt pain isn't great, but already improving, seriously forgot how amazing cycling is. 😁

[@Victoriam4074]

You cycled to work for a month. Meanwhile I've cycled 7.5 miles to work every day for the last few years, done 12 hours shifts and cycled 7.5 miles home again.

[@01FozzyS]

Well done to all and nice to see Harriet again!

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

Been commuting by bike since about 1992. Not long - about 17km each way, takes about 40 minutes, which is only 15 minutes more than by car. Biggest challenge is not snow, but cold rain. When the temp gets below +5C, the wet is brutal. Fortunately Toronto isn't particularly rainy, so we trudge through it. Living car-free is amazing. Loved this report! Sounds like we got a few converts. Safety in numbers!

[@peterlip8]

This is best part. For a cost of 15 minutes, you get 40 minutes of exercise. Beats going to a gym, where a 45 minute session, costs you 45 minutes, plus travel time. I had a similar thing. 80 minute ride, which was 30 minutes longer than driving. I did that 2-3 times a week, and was never fitter than those days. Working from home nowadays means you have to make time for a ride, instead of using the work commute to offset it.

[@amandajane8227]

Rain at 16C was brutal for me this week.

[@gcn]

Great stuff! Cold rain is pretty hard work 😳

[@peterlip8]

@@amandajane8227 I feel very lucky to be in Aus. It’s rare that I ride in the rain below 12C. Can’t imagine what it’s like for those way up north.

[@ucanskixc568]

I used to commute everyday till I was around 45 years of age. My commutes would be anywhere from 20 minutes to 1hr 45 minutes one way. Once I went over an hour one way, it became more of a trial. Since I also raced, I had to get out and do some real training too. I did not even get a car till after university at the age of 25. My commuting was year round from +35C to -30C. You just have to dress for the weather. The last 25 years I have only commuted, rarely, one way, and wifey would come get me for the return trip. I did not count commuting as part of my training but I certainly would NOW, lol. Just ride, have fun, be safe!

[@Jari1973]

Harriet 🥰

[@PochoNews]

My truck wouldn't pass smog inspection so I sold it after biking for a week and taking the train. I canceled my insurance and save almost 500 a month. I have an 80 mile commute. 12 miles by bike, daily. This past month I rode more than 240 miles this month on an ebike, pedal assist, and I'm 58 yrs old. I hope to just use my reg bike in a few months after I acclimate to the exercise. This is so fun. I just bought the Ghostcat ebike. It should be here soon.

[@HattieHaha]

16:06 DISGUSTAN

[@questgivercyradis8462]

I've been commuting by bike since I got on two wheels since 2020 - I didn't give up like the other pandemic bikers! For "outside normal errands" ranges, it would be nice to have a car, as my current city is not bike friendly. But 20min commute to work, 20min back, hits a nice sweet spot of commute time. I get basic exercise and outdoor time. Only once had trouble with rain in previous city. I got stubborn and didn't take the bus on a DOWNPOUR day. Like 5in rain in one day. Tires went right out from under me as I went around a curve at slow speed, as there was asphalt, gravel, and big soggy slippery leafs on the ground. Continued my ride home that day, but I probably have a minor lingering knee/ankle nerve injury. So..... perhaps don't go out when the conditions are *that* bad ;)

[@bryantpackard1592]

Houston Texas, literally the bottom of Bicability list. I try to commute two days a week. it is 19 miles each way, to make wife feel safer I drive a short distance and commute 15 miles mostly paths and sidwalk/path with some limiting roads. Converted 1989 Nishiki Long wheelbase mtn to a Gravel/Commuter. Heavy but works well. As Therapist work late hours so often don't get back to truck until 8 pm or later. Great part of my week! Long Covid is certainly making the ride longer and harder.

[@eliotlaugh]

I cycled to work everyday for 18 months in a warm country. It sort of took the enjoyment away from the weekend ride. UK I just commute on the bike when it’s nice and enjoy the weekend ride.