I'm in the UW region of Seattle just starting a job that would require me to ride to Issaquah. It's hybrid remote so I don't have to go every day. I'm trying to decide if it'd be ridiculous to try to do this commute on an ebike?
by jstfrkcks
I'm in the UW region of Seattle just starting a job that would require me to ride to Issaquah. It's hybrid remote so I don't have to go every day. I'm trying to decide if it'd be ridiculous to try to do this commute on an ebike?
by jstfrkcks
10 Comments
Personally, 90% of problems with my previous commute was car danger, I biked through two texas summers 5 days a week (went to work at 5am for one year, came home at 11pm the other), obviously wind and rain sucks but I trudged through most of it, on top of working out in that heat on an airport tarmac for work. The only thing that really stressed me out was all the vehicles. DISCLAIMER THOUGH, my commute was 10 miles round trip, I don’t much know what its like to bike more than 10 miles at once, although I’m certain I could do it.
on an ebike it’s probably doable, no first hand experience with either ebikes or such commutes tho
I do a substantially similar commute into work 3 days a week on an e-bike. I use minimal assist, but it is almost required for me to be consistent, as it can take up the slack on days where I’m a bit more run down.
In a previous job I did do 14 miles each way with about 1k ft of elevation daily on a purely human powered bike. I did that for four plus years, and the jump to 20 miles, 800ft elevation was too much for me to do daily.
In short, it looks doable, but you’ll need to be well trained and maintain a good fitness level.
What’s your experience commuting and cycling in general? There are a couple significant climbs, but with a little fitness I think it’ll be fine, depends on your experience and the ebike.
I’d consider supplementing with a bus for part of the ride, especially over the 520 or 90 bridge, which would make a big difference in time and also reduce time spent biking next to a highway.
Depends way more on the roads than on Google’s weird elevation profile. I ride 16 miles with roughly the same amount of climbing twice a week, takes me about an hour each way. You need to find roads that are safe to ride on first and foremost.
Also, highly recommend riding the route on a Saturday before you get started just to see how hard it is when there’s no time crunch.
I wouldn’t touch that without an ebike.
With an ebike, it’s mainly a matter of if you can manage the 1 hour each way.
I would take 520 across and the Eastrail corridor as far south as it goes currently (I don’t think it goes to I90 yet). The 520 path is wider than I90 and while Lake Washington Blvd south is a pretty ride it’ll be a touch longer.
Lastly if you have to take that stretch on Newport Way, that looks like a crummy part of the ride.
I have done most of this ride via 520 except the last part from Lake Sammamish to Issaquah. You have a great bike path most of the way to Redmond, and then W Lake Sammamish drive is fine to bike on. My current commute is 19 miles but flat and minimal traffic lights and it takes me 50 minutes on a class 3 ebike. I reckon you’d be able to do 1:15 or so with this route.
my ebike would allow me to do this in around an hour. With 48v/20mah you might not need to charge at work, but that’s a good idea anyway to preserve the longevity of your battery. I’d say it’s doable but I wouldn’t do it every day.
Ignore that warning and go ride the route. Google has to give caution to avoid being sued.