12KM cycle to work? how long should it take

Delboy007

I am moving to Castelknock (park Drive Grove) now in the next two weeks, I work at Charlemont Place
Dublin 2. Does anyone else down the same route or close to it, I would like to know how long it will take and what would be the best route.

I cycle to work at the minute but is it only 5km. I use a hybrid bikes now, would this be ok to keep using or would I be better off getting a road bike? If I need to get a road bike what price range would I need to spend to get a good one for this distances

droidus

Its not too far. Should take 30-40mins at rush hour.

Armaghmagic

Not claiming to be an expert but I would say that you are fine on a hybrid bike unless you are doing regular spins of over 20km.

quozl

Hybrid would be fine for that distance.

RayCun

A 12k cycle will take you between 2 and 3 times as long as your current 5k cycle.

Beasty

Report back here when you can comfortably commute in 24 mins or less, and we will assess your performance and provide you with new targets;)

del_boy13

Hybrid is fine for that distance I use one myself for getting in and out. I wouldn't expect it to take you 3 times your current as you will be coming through the park and the run down the hill is quicker than the stop start of the city centre.

Be careful on the North Quays.

Inspector Coptoor

I'm doing 9km in 20 mins on a racer.

You should manage 12km in 30 minutes or so.

Beasty

A more serious answer from me. It really does depend on road and weather conditions. I started commuting on a hybrid and really could average around 30 kph with half-secent tailwind on what was overall a reasonably flattish 23km or so commute. I've upgraded to roadbikes and my average for all cyclimg remains over 30kph. However I certainly used to treat every commute as a time trial, and would not be intimidated by such a short distance. Set yourself some targets though and see how you get on. When you achieve your target time reduce it. That way you will hopefully improve your cycling and all-round fitness, and hopefully your appetite for cycling.

Carawaystick

Get very slick tyres and pump them up hard on your existing bike, if you haven't already done so. This will give you a large speed improvement from fat tyres with grips, for little outlay.

Hunterbiker

Its a nice route through the park but its a shared path(?)
Downhill in the morning. Hybrid is fine. I did Castleknock to Merrion Square when i lived there and it was fine.

Delboy007

Hunterbiker wrote: »

Its a nice route through the park but its a shared path(?)
Downhill in the morning. Hybrid is fine. I did Castleknock to Merrion Square when i lived there and it was fine.

Were did you come out of the park, did u go down to the end or cut out and go down south circular road. How loang it take u

seamus

I have a 12km commute that routinely takes 35 minutes all-in. The first 9km takes 20 minutes and the last 3km take 15 minutes. That's the city for you. Try to find the commute which has least number of lights, rather than the most specifically direct route.

What's funny is that the commute at my old job was 10.5km and the normal time for that was under 24 minutes (fastest was under 18 minutes). But I didn't have to cross the city. Having to cross the city means that I don't think it's legally possible to get in under 30 minutes unless I have a near impossible run of luck with the 50-odd sets of lights on my route.

Consey

Live less than a km where op will be and commute to Grand Canal basin area. It's 10.5km.Previously it was to West side of Stephens Green, about 9 km. The extra bit takes about 7 or 8 min more. While I've done the first one in just under 20min moving time, I've never been under 25min moving time on this one cos as Seamus says crossing city centre is just slow. Also, I've got more sense in my old age and go very carefully in city centre now. Overall it's comfortably less than 30 min door to door most days.

Like going straight down the park, up the quays, and across at Parliament St, up Dame St, Nassau St and down to Grand Canal Street. The North Quays is v busy in the morning but fine if you're careful. Park is a joy to have on the commute at this time of year until c. November. V few pedestrians in the cycle lanes in the morning, though often ninja joggers (all in black in the evening). Always a good chance of good commuter competition in the park most days which is fun!

Finally hybrid probably better seating position for City centre commuting, 12km is fine but I now use Road bike most of time and it's fine and more effective for a bit of a burn up or down the park.

Enjoy the commute.

seamus wrote: »

I have a 12km commute that routinely takes 35 minutes all-in. The first 9km takes 20 minutes and the last 3km take 15 minutes. That's the city for you. Try to find the commute which has least number of lights, rather than the most specifically direct route.

What's funny is that the commute at my old job was 10.5km and the normal time for that was under 24 minutes (fastest was under 18 minutes). But I didn't have to cross the city. Having to cross the city means that I don't think it's legally possible to get in under 30 minutes unless I have a near impossible run of luck with the 50-odd sets of lights on my route.

omri

15km used to take me 25-35 min depending how good day I had - regardless of traffic. Only factors that would affect the time was wind and rain.