distance advice?
- Thread starter jayscooby
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
jack smith
Veteran
- Location
- Durham
Its a very personal thing i started off with 20 mile i now do up to 100. Just go out and ride and see how you feel, find a loop around your home so your never too far away if you get tired, but extend it if you feel strong.
Last edited:
It's up to you/ your body completely.
Simple advice is to start small and build it up over time- it's always easier to get to the end and stick on another 10 mile loop than to find yourself 10 miles from home having bonked.
Even once experienced it's an impossible question- the amount of cycling in the week/ weather/ other commitments will all affect how much you ride.
Simple advice is to start small and build it up over time- it's always easier to get to the end and stick on another 10 mile loop than to find yourself 10 miles from home having bonked.
Even once experienced it's an impossible question- the amount of cycling in the week/ weather/ other commitments will all affect how much you ride.
vickster
Legendary Member
As above. Build up slowly, working out how much more you need to eat and drink as you build up.
You'll need to toughen up the bits you sit on too, initially that may well limit your time in the saddle!
The terrain around your house, your general fitness, core strength etc will also play a role
You'll need to toughen up the bits you sit on too, initially that may well limit your time in the saddle!
The terrain around your house, your general fitness, core strength etc will also play a role
Bazzer
Setting the controls for the heart of the sun.
- Location
- On the edge of reality
Depends what you are aiming for.
If you are looking to develop fitness for longer rides, there are training programmes on the British Cycling website http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/insightzone/physical_preparation/training_plans
Adapt them to your own circumstances.
As @vickster said, you are probably going to have to toughen up your bits first. No pleasure in feeliing like you have been Bubba's cellmate for week
If you are looking to develop fitness for longer rides, there are training programmes on the British Cycling website http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/insightzone/physical_preparation/training_plans
Adapt them to your own circumstances.
As @vickster said, you are probably going to have to toughen up your bits first. No pleasure in feeliing like you have been Bubba's cellmate for week
Hi James, I'm in a similar situation in that we're both starting (albeit you used to cycle) I've never really cycled seriously since I was a kid and I'm 49 now. Im trying to do around 20 mile round trips but I feel even that's my limits at the moment.
I never realised how unfit and slow I was until I started but as the others say, it's just a case of building up and getting out on the bike. Small runs but often seem to agree with me more so I'll do that until I'm more comfortable. I can do 10 mile sessions no problem and recovery times are getting better.
I started out with the aim of joining a club and riding for miles every week, reality is a long way from that at the moment mate but we all get there ha ha
I never realised how unfit and slow I was until I started but as the others say, it's just a case of building up and getting out on the bike. Small runs but often seem to agree with me more so I'll do that until I'm more comfortable. I can do 10 mile sessions no problem and recovery times are getting better.
I started out with the aim of joining a club and riding for miles every week, reality is a long way from that at the moment mate but we all get there ha ha
Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
Everyone is different - increase gradually to be safe. Here's how I did it. Mind you I was really unfit and a lot of people will have increased faster but I decided not to push beyond my limits, in the early days at least!
3 mile incriments, from starting distance up to 25 miles distance.
5 mile incriments, upto about 40.
10 mile incriments, upto 60-70.
Then 100+
3 mile incriments, from starting distance up to 25 miles distance.
5 mile incriments, upto about 40.
10 mile incriments, upto 60-70.
Then 100+
Shadow
member
- Location
- edge of the south downs
All very helpful and sensible advice above.
An extension of Trickedem's idea: if you live reasonably close to a train line, take the train one or two stops further than you think you are comfortable with and cycle home. When you get tired, you will be close to home and you may have the fortitude to finish the ride, a little hurt is good! If you don't make it, you are close enough to catch a train the rest of the way, bus, taxi, phone a friend/spouse to pick you up or even walk!
An extension of Trickedem's idea: if you live reasonably close to a train line, take the train one or two stops further than you think you are comfortable with and cycle home. When you get tired, you will be close to home and you may have the fortitude to finish the ride, a little hurt is good! If you don't make it, you are close enough to catch a train the rest of the way, bus, taxi, phone a friend/spouse to pick you up or even walk!
Joshua Plumtree
Approaching perfection from a distance.
Just to add my two bob's worth.
Your ride doesn't have to be continuous. Break it up into two or three more manageable chunks. Stop to rest and to have a drink and something to eat, Admire the scenery for a few minutes.
Did this myself when I started cycling again after a number of years of inactivity. In fact, I still have one or two favourite spots where I'll stop if the weather is good and just enjoy the day.
Your ride doesn't have to be continuous. Break it up into two or three more manageable chunks. Stop to rest and to have a drink and something to eat, Admire the scenery for a few minutes.
Did this myself when I started cycling again after a number of years of inactivity. In fact, I still have one or two favourite spots where I'll stop if the weather is good and just enjoy the day.
ayceejay
Guru
- Location
- Rural Quebec
You may also experience some discomfort around your rear end so make sure and wear decent shorts and use chamois cream on the pad.
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
What area of the country do you live James? Is it hilly, is it flat, mixed bag?
Loops and an outward train journey are both the right answer.
I've typed this before with these type of questions- don't rush it, and measure your increase over 3 months rather than 3 weeks. Luckily for you, the summer is coming....
Loops and an outward train journey are both the right answer.
I've typed this before with these type of questions- don't rush it, and measure your increase over 3 months rather than 3 weeks. Luckily for you, the summer is coming....
Cyclist33
Guest
- Location
- Warrington
Could have fooled me!
wxbull
Well-Known Member
I either do the loop near home, at most I'm 7 miles away, or if I have more time I will cycle until I've had enough or it's dark, and get the train back. As it's only £3.75 flat rate after 6pm in my neck of the woods 
After starting out doing 10/15 miles I'm now up to 70 miles on a good day, and done 90 as a one off about a month ago.
After starting out doing 10/15 miles I'm now up to 70 miles on a good day, and done 90 as a one off about a month ago.
