... I put together a table of sunrise/sunset times and avg rainfall throughout the year...
Weather is a huge factor in staying safe and upright, but the challenge of commuting long term is mental - just the challenge of biking instead of taking the easy route of the car or train. I rode an epic amount in 2015, missing only a few days due to travel or family events requiring driving. I gave up nothing for weather, and it took a toll, on me and my bike. However, I learned a lot about what gear is important, and how to setup the bike to satisfy my commuting needs. I also realized that I can keep myself fit and happy and ease up a bit - so I don't insist on riding in blizzards or when there's likely to be lots of crusty snow (
video) ice (
video) or flooding (
video), even though I have the gear to do so.
One of the things I've learned in over 30k miles on Bosch bikes, is that the workout isn't directly dependent on the power level used. Running the bike on a higher power level just means that for the same level of work on the rider's part, you will just go faster. This will result in a shorter duration workout, but if your ride is long, it doesn't make that much difference. For example, without the electric bike my commute would take about 2.25 hours each way. With the R&M Charger with two batteries running on Turbo mode all the time, it takes 1.5 hours each way. I push just as hard either way, but the difference is about 90 minutes more workout without an electric bike, which is a huge difference in the amount I have to eat and sleep in order to commute every day. It's much more sustainable to run the bike on Turbo than push myself longer - I'm still achieving a high level of fitness.
Another big difference is comfort and gear for everything. On a less powerful bike, I'd try to keep things a light as possible, meaning thinner tires, less gear, less comfort. With two batteries, fat tires, substantial frame, I comfortably carry a spare tube, small pump, toolkit, spare spokes, raincoat, supplemental rechargeable lights, actioncam, small bluetooth speaker for podcasts, and in cold weather - spare gloves, spare socks, and additional thin wool layers. This is in addition to daily clothes, laptop, and lunch, all stuffed into one (two in winter) Ortlieb classic panniers. All this preparation and creature comfort would be pared down substantially if it weren't for the E-bike. Also, in winter I ride on studded snow tires, which are heavy and slow. And most important for safety is a charged cell phone (and a cable to power from the Bosch head unit if needed). In 2.5 years, I've had to call for help only a couple times! However, one of the most important bits of gear is an app called
Road ID that tracks my whereabouts and will automatically text my location to my family if I'm not moving, because you never know if you'll be able to call for help. As a bike commuter, always make sure people know your whereabouts, and when to expect you, because no matter how good your bike and gear and preparation is, crap happens.
