Distance versus frequency

[Kevoffthetee]

More of a question for the long haulers. How often do you cycle and how far do you regularly cycle to be able to do big mileage, not the one off treks though.

A friend of mine has been cycling for years and regularly goes on cycling holidays across Europe. He doesn't have time to do regular big mileage that I know of, but thinks nothing of burning off 100 miles when time allows.

I still a relative newbie and have recently been doing 20mile plus on 3 treks a week, and today averaged 13.5mph on mixed terrain (track and road) over 28.5 miles on the mtb.

I'd love to be able to pull a long haul when it suited but really couldn't put in any more regular miles than I'm doing now.

 

[raleighnut]

Its quite easy, start off slowly (a big grin helps) ride relaxed, forget about speed, stop and eat when you like and what you like and keep at it for as long as you feel able, The miles just rack up after 10-12 hours. (A tent or a credit card for B&B is normally needed)

 

[JasonHolder]

Perfect advice^ enjoy it and you do more, as with all things in life.

Personally do 250 miles a week. Did a 200miler on Thursday in 11 hours pedalling.
Everything needs to be built up slowly it'll come, keep at it and good luck!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I dont ride big miles as such, but do 200-250 miles a week with out any problems but thats riding most days 30-40 miles, as above just do it regularly and speed and distance will improve.

 

[Kevoffthetee]

I take it that 30-40 miles per day means your a commuter? I work 2 miles from work so I can't use that as an excuse to do that kind of mileage. I max out in hours, not miles due to family commitments so the more Bike-fit I become the further I'll go in that time.

 

[Big Nick]

I'm leaning more towards upping my distances at the expense of speed and have only been cycling (discounting childhood) since January

I can average around 16mph on my hybrid over 30-40 miles but am going to try a 50-60 miler next and fully expect to drop to around 13mph.

I would love to keep a 17-18mph over 100 miles like some can on here but I'm a long way from that at the moment!!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I take it that 30-40 miles per day means your a commuter? I work 2 miles from work so I can't use that as an excuse to do that kind of mileage. I max out in hours, not miles due to family commitments so the more Bike-fit I become the further I'll go in that time.

I dont work, the cycling helps my mental health, it gets complex, but I dont think about self harm whilst riding (well most of the time), the 30-40 miles is just what I do, I might have time but I get very anxious once out more than 2-3hrs as a norm hence most of my rides are 30-40 miles, the down side to the free time is the lack of money it takes me ages to save up for things and as you can imagine such mileage takes its toll on components as I ride in all weathers. I take my hat off to those that commute every day.

 

[MikeG]

......I can average around 16mph on my hybrid over 30-40 miles but am going to try a 50-60 miler next and fully expect to drop to around 13mph..........

Right........motivational-Mike-mode..........

If you can do 40 miles at 16mph, you can do 50 miles at nearly 16mph. Forget 13. On a hybrid, that's good going.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

its usually conditions and terrain that dictate speed, though I am finding the wind less of a factor than it was.

 

[tudor_77]

28.5 miles on a MTB is pretty impressive!

 

[fossyant]

I take it that 30-40 miles per day means your a commuter? I work 2 miles from work so I can't use that as an excuse to do that kind of mileage. I max out in hours, not miles due to family commitments so the more Bike-fit I become the further I'll go in that time.

You can always ride to work the long way. I do anything upto 40 miles to and from work each day - usually 20-30, but I only live 6 miles from work. Just find a nice loop.

I don't get chance to do many long rides, plus an injury currently prevents that. I do find though that riding often has bigger effect on your fitness. One 100 mile blast a week won't get you as fit as 10 x 10 mile rides. Most importantly enjoy it, and fit it into your livestyle/routine.

Commuting to work on the bike is 'free' time if you have a family.

 

[HLaB]

I think I was averaging over 300miles a week at the start of the month but this month I've had other things on my mind lately, so other than a few short commute I've only done a few weekend rides mainly; prior to that I was doing a good miles most days and maybe a rest day with short commuting.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I take it that 30-40 miles per day means your a commuter? I work 2 miles from work so I can't use that as an excuse to do that kind of mileage. I max out in hours, not miles due to family commitments so the more Bike-fit I become the further I'll go in that time.

Get up early and extend the commute in the morning, you are then riding when otherwise you would be asleep, an extra hour in the morning will give you loads of extra mileage. You can then do your 2 miles home on the evening and still meet your family commitments

 

[Acesand8s]

Mileage is also extremely relative to location. Elevation, turns, stops, average wind, road/trail conditions, weather, and your bike will vastly change your miles and speed. Don't ever be impressed by mileage or think it is the goal. Hours if not watts determine how good of a cyclist you are, but if you want to up your mileage than that's cool, just dont force something that can rip and suck the fun out of cycling.

 

[Acesand8s]

That said i regularly did 20-70 miles on my MTB so the bike itself is not the most important factor.