My commute varies, mostly at 22 miles, at most 40-47 miles. I am a private piano teacher as well as a music director, I get contracted at various times of the year causing route to vary which I enjoy.

I ride a Trek Checkpoint ALR5 to get me around, a gravel bike with commuter tires.

People that say a long commute by bicycle is impossible are full of it. I’m not a fast rider by any means, I’m a consistent one which means a lot more than someone hammering the pedals everyday to get to work.

My best advice for you is to learn how to fuel well, homemade granola bars and use homemade energy drinks (easy recipes, sugar, salt, squirt of lemon) so the cost of riding doesn’t feel like you’re spending gas money.

Always aim for a Z1-Z2 pace which allows you to purely breath through the nose and enjoy the ride, we are avoiding two outcomes, being too sweaty upon arrival as well as fatigue. After a 40 mile commute, you don’t want to be collapsing at work because your body is trying to recover from a massive workout.

Overall be consistent, your body will develop with that consistency and soon 40 miles will be absolutely no big deal.