When I was 40 and doing some racing, I could handle 2-3 days of a 27 mile one way commute. Many years later as my yearly mileage declined, I had to find alternatives. One was leaving my car at work (as well as shoes), riding home the 27, then return by bike in the AM. I was able to do this once per week and would also do a “park and ride”, where I would drive part way and ride 18, returning in the afternoon. I was typically stashing clothes at work on the days I drove, then road my fast commuter bike, which was essentially a road bike with bigger and more durable tires (32’s). If I needed to carry stuff I used my tourer which could use panniers. My commute was maybe 50% bike lane and bike paths, the rest on street, but I went out of my way to avoid main roads with commuter traffic.