How Far - when you started?

[Batgirl]

How far did you ride when you first started riding? did you use a riding plan / structured approach to increasing your distance?

I'm trying to put together a bit of a 'training plan' (I like plans), on riding, how often and how far being key to this.
I will test it over the next few days as have to build up the distance from scratch as not ridden for 22 years - until today. I didn't ride far at all today as was working on getting on / off and starting / stopping.

Have a few bits to do to my bike still (slow punctures to sort) and stripping gears down with OH. So won't be anything too grand till after the kids are back in school but would like to get my head in gear on a plan and make a start to seeing progress.

Thanks for any input you can give or any cycle plans out there perhaps (no point inventing the wheel.. pun intended).

 

[LarryDuff]

When I started 15 miles was my distance. This is because it's a 15 mile round trip to the next town. After a few of those I started adding to it by taking different routes home.

 

[MikeW-71]

I just rode to my mums, about 5 miles. Two stops, gasping, coughing, legs like jelly at the end.

Then started doing a similar distance to work with similar results. That quickly improved and I ventured out for 10 miles then 15, stuck at 25 for a bit then there was no stopping me

No structured plan as such, I just ride out when and where I feel like

 

[Heigue'r]

3.3kms a couple of weeks ago, a few trips at this distance and then 17 kms yesterday, would love to head out right now but even new alluminium melts in the rainno real training plan as of yet but will have to get something together soon

 

[Freds Dad]

I started off with a 6 mile flat route about 6 weeks ago and did 15 miles yesterday with a couple of what to me where big hills but to experienced riders would probably be a slight slope.

I only go out when the weather is dry as I am still looking into waterproof jackets so I'm limited to the days I can ride. It has become addictive and I'm really enjoying it.

 

[burndust]

Think it was about 12 miles....didn't really have a plan just made sure I went a bit further the next time....as I got more into it I switched bikes...and regularly do 50+ miles on my Saturday run...I also do quite a bit of work on the WATT bike in the gym...personally I think its a good idea to swap between endurance sessions and interval sessions...I would also invest in a good heart rate monitor for HR zone training....also combining your cycling with other cardio sessions crosstrainer etc plus weights and core work.....quite a bit of info here but this is my approach...it might not be everybodys cup of tea but it works for me

 

[arch684]

don,t try to do to much to quick. you need to enjoy what your doing worry about a training plan later

 

[Batgirl]

Wow some great distances!

I hope 3k is 'doable' for me, but will have to see how the next few days go. I've worked out a route that is flat and just over 3k so that will be my first goal.

 

[AndyWilliams]

20 miles seemed to be my max on an MTB. Bought a road bike and 36 miles was so easy, it went up to 67 over 4 weeks.

 

[annedonnelly]

I think I started with about 3 miles & struggled to do that.

My "plan" was to go out as often as possible, even if for short distances. I deliberately bought panniers so I could use the bike for trips into town/library. It's about 2.5 mile round trip, but I did lots of those rides & gradually managed further distances.

 

[Big Nick]

Started at 5 miles, then stepped it up in 5 mile increments

When I could do 40 I went out and did an 82 miler which is my longest to date but I'm sure I could do a 100 with a bit of thought around fuelling and some sudocrem on my butt!!

 

[Batgirl]

don,t try to do to much to quick. you need to enjoy what your doing worry about a training plan later

Makes total sense, No way I'd be able to do too many miles, I just respond well to set days like 'mon, Wed, Friday, Sunday' something like that.. then I know I'm due to ride. The actual distance will be set by how I get on. I'm not out to win any races! lol

 

[si_c]

First ride I did back on the bike, I managed about a mile, all downhill, then I had to sit down. Got home after forty minutes, pretended I'd been riding not sitting down for 25 minutes

Just kept adding distance each time I rode, eventually it gets much easier. One thing I found was that commuting helped, as I had a destination and a timeframe, so there was less incentive to sit down and cry . But then my commute is only 2 miles.

Think you're doing the right thing, set yourself an achievable goal, then when you break it you feel better and then you can

 

[Batgirl]

First ride I did back on the bike, I managed about a mile, all downhill, then I had to sit down. Got home after forty minutes, pretended I'd been riding not sitting down for 25 minutes

Just kept adding distance each time I rode, eventually it gets much easier. One thing I found was that commuting helped, as I had a destination and a timeframe, so there was less incentive to sit down and cry . But then my commute is only 2 miles.

Think you're doing the right thing, set yourself an achievable goal, then when you break it you feel better and then you can

Now this is gonna be me I'm sure! I've got a commute in mind to a train station - I drive to uni at the moment but am hoping to get the train and bike it to and from the station, there is a hill that will be something to overcome but hoping I can build to this. The route from home to station is only about 4 miles, but I live on a big hill so have that to contend with when I get home. lol

For now my 'training' will be on the flat as keeping the bike away from home to make my life easier till I can do a few hills.

 

[BrynCP]

I started with 3 miles a day, until after about 2 weeks I was up to 11 miles a day. Looking back now, that 11 miles was my limit, and I had to stop 3/4 the way around for a drink and breather.

I had no plan, I just rode in a loop sort of around my house, so I could gradually extend the radius. I could then take an almost direct, short route home if I was tired, or if I had to walk for whatever reason.

After less than 2 months I had done 33 miles which sapped all my energy, but I did that on half a cup of energy drink and a satsuma! I don't advise this.