How Far - when you started?

[young Ed]

i just ride to be honest
when i 'started' cycling for the enjoyment i had been cycling a 9 mile round trip commute each day for the last year or two and that was on that heavy old clunker BSO
i would say i started around 10 or 15 miles but at one point when i was still back in primary school my mates dad took me and my mate down to rye one our bikes and back, 36 miles in total and i loved it but it was long! i would still be happy with 36 miles for a weekend leisure ride but it would be faster and by my self, i do try to push to 50 miles occasionally with my most in one day being 64 or something

to give you an idea of time etc i am 15 years old now and started cycling because i wanted to about 2 years ago or so
Cheers Ed

 

[burndust]

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

Agreed. .I neglected to mention its taken me about 2 years to get to where I am....but it all comes together...and enjoying it makes things easier

 

[Hip Priest]

4.5 miles. The distance between my house and my office. I remember struggling to get up the hills, even though there aren't any.

 

[HLaB]

When I started again it was just 0.75 mile to my office; its increased over time, my last full commute to another office was 53 miles and I've do a ton most weekends but I've never been one for a structured training, its just increased sustainably.

 

[User33236]

I first started on a 5 mile loop with a couple of uphills. As it passed very close to home if I felt ok I did another. That loop grew to a 20 mile loop taking in a few more climbs.

Now I just go out and ride and see where the road takes me

 

[browndog]

Most of us only have a limited amount of free time for planning a 20 mile round trip may not be possible. Why don't you have a plan to cycle for a hour and see how far you get..... After a few weeks you will see your distance improve.

Most of all remember to have fun

 

[Retribution03]

Got my bike on the 5th of Aug and did 6 miles today did first 30 a few 15 and 20 miles in between I'm quite fit though and my 11 year old son is and I quote his p.e teacher "a natural athlete" so don't worry if you can only manage 1 mile or 10 mile just take it at your own pace and the really important part enjoy yourself

 

[User33236]

Why don't you have a plan to cycle for a hour and see how far you get.....

Does that not leave you an hour away from home?

 

[welsh dragon]

Like TMN it wasnt distance for me it was time. My first time I lasted about 20 minutes and thought I was going to die. Now I go out for anything up to 2 hours. I don't measure distance, only time spent on my bike.

I just enjoy the ride.

 

[roadrash]

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

personally i think you have answered your own question here, ....actual distance will be set by how I get on. I'm not out to win any races... if you want set days to go , then fine , just ride and enjoy it, it will all come together eventually .
i think training plans are ok , in their place, but like you said..your not out to win any races,

 

[PK99]

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.

Plan to enjoy your cycling.

Plan to find cake and coffee shops you like.

Plan to find people to ride with who like the same sort of riding you do.

Plan to enjoy the fact that as time goes by, your rides get longer and more comfortable.

Plan to notice how you recover better the day after a ride.

Plan to be amazed how the 'b*****d hill" is now a breeze.

Plan to then, and only then, think about a "training plan"

 

[Batgirl]

personally i think you have answered your own question here, ....actual distance will be set by how I get on. I'm not out to win any races... if you want set days to go , then fine , just ride and enjoy it, it will all come together eventually .
i think training plans are ok , in their place, but like you said..your not out to win any races,

I think so having read everyones responses will go for time.. and increasing it and enjoying more... and all of these:

Plan to enjoy your cycling.

Plan to find cake and coffee shops you like.

Plan to find people to ride with who like the same sort of riding you do.

Plan to enjoy the fact that as time goes by, your rides get longer and more comfortable.

Plan to notice how you recover better the day after a ride.

Plan to be amazed how the 'b*****d hill" is now a breeze.

Plan to then, and only then, think about a "training plan"

I like these!

Thanks everyone - for not thinking me daft!

 

[Batgirl]

Got my bike on the 5th of Aug and did 6 miles today did first 30 a few 15 and 20 miles in between I'm quite fit though and my 11 year old son is and I quote his p.e teacher "a natural athlete" so don't worry if you can only manage 1 mile or 10 mile just take it at your own pace and the really important part enjoy yourself

I have a 'natural athlete' daughter, but she's not like me at her age or me now! She's an athletics orientated girl so far, but I've promised once I can ride properly she can start riding and join me.. god help me! I'll never keep up! lol

 

[ScotiaLass]

I did a ride down to the bottom of our hill, around a supermarket car park, and back.
I thought I would keel over!
My next ride was a very slow 5 miles and I just kept doing the same route until I felt comfortable, and then gradually added more miles to it.
My regular ride is now 15 miles and the most I have done is 33.

I started riding again last October to get fit and lose weight. I have been on a medically restricted diet for 2 years and since cycling, have lost over 2 stone, to add to the 2 I had already lost.
My 20 year old son comes with me a lot of the time and I was struggling to keep up.
Now I can beat him to the top of hills and hold my own, matching his speed. I'm 50

 

[roadrash]

you may be suprised, being bike fit is somewhat different to some who is fit through running or whatever , using different muscles etc. dont under estimate yourself .