Is a 20 mile round trip far for a newbie?

[Rob3rt]

Depends how long the climb goes on for and whether you are trying to go up it fast or just simply rolling up it!

 

[Tom Oglesby]

Let say for the distance my "long drag of very minor gradient"

 

[Rob3rt]

Well the average gradient over the 3 miles of ascent on that route you posted is probably less than 1%.

 

[Tom Oglesby]

I know, I was asking what would be considered a challenge for a reasonably fit bloke over that distance for future reference when I decide to go out of my comfort zone.

 

[Rob3rt]

4-5% average? There are lot's of local climbs of 1.5-2 miles with average gradients between 6-7%.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

600ft over 10 mile? That is nothing!

The only "climb" is a long drag of very minor gradient! Even a newby would go fine on that route.

Also on the way back, that means you are going downhill!

Rob, anything can be difficult when you start, and remember Rob Tom is only doing it once a week, if as he says hes hoping to get fit from it as well, then very soon it wont be a problem, the first thing is for him to ride it and see how he feels.

 

[Rob3rt]

Rob, anything can be difficult when you start, and remember Rob Tom is only doing it once a week, if as he says hes hoping to get fit from it as well, then very soon it wont be a problem, the first thing is for him to ride it and see how he feels.

I am well aware of the difficulties faced when starting cycling, I am also of the opinion that people on here are way too conservative and precious of newbies!

 

[Tom Oglesby]

I am well aware of the difficulties faced when starting cycling, I am also of the opinion that people on here are way too conservative and precious of newbies!

I'm well aware I'm not gonna be riding up a mountain, I was just wondering the ideal target I should set myself in the future. Its scary how quickly you lose your fitness, but from what I understand at my age it shouldn't take long to get it back.

 

[Rob3rt]

I'm well aware I'm not gonna be riding up a mountain, I was just wondering the ideal target I should set myself in the future. Its scary how quickly you lose your fitness, but from what I understand at my age it shouldn't take long to get it back.

What I am saying is, you are a young lad, with a bike, who want's to get somewhere 10 miles away, then get back home again. This is very achievable IMO, the chance you fail is almost inconceivable to me unless you are very overweight or are the sort of person who gets out of breath opening a bag of crisps. The trend on this forum, based on my observations over the past 3 years or so is that people are very conservative in their estimations of what a newby can/should do. Ofc just my opinion!

 

[Tom Oglesby]

What I am saying is, you are a young lad, with a bike, who want's to get somewhere 10 miles away, then get back home again. This is very achievable IMO, the chance you fail is almost inconceivable to me unless you are very overweight or get out of breath opening a bag of crisps.

Haha, I know mate, cheers for the replies. I was always certain I could do it, I just wanted to know how long it would take me without having to swim the last mile.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I am well aware of the difficulties faced when starting cycling, I am also of the opinion that people on here are way too conservative and precious of newbies!

I agree, but its not what the avg is that matters when you start really, but that steep bit that looks like hell, I know just ride you get stronger, and I agree, but if it defeats you you might not try again, there's section here that I havent done yet, I am sure I could it now, but when I started I wouldn't have even dreamed about, though the other climb the otherside of the village I did quite early on, though its not as steep or as long, (though neither are really long, and I am sure you would breeze them)
South out of Wentbridge this I have done. I did it twice in Nov the last F***** the gearing up, time before I managed to increase my avg sp by nearly 1mph from 7.5 to 8.3,
North out of Wentbridge. this I havent.
It's taken me longer than I expected (smoking doesn't help), plus I am the back end of my 40's. Though I believe if I hadn't done the way I have to some degree I may well have not continued, I don't enjoy every rise though I do enjoy achieving something each time I go out, be it a new p.b. on a section or getting up a hill that frankly 4 months I just wouldn't have tried.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

What I am saying is, you are a young lad, with a bike, who want's to get somewhere 10 miles away, then get back home again. This is very achievable IMO, the chance you fail is almost inconceivable to me unless you are very overweight or are the sort of person who gets out of breath opening a bag of crisps. The trend on this forum, based on my observations over the past 3 years or so is that people are very conservative in their estimations of what a newby can/should do. Ofc just my opinion!

Again your right Rob, there hasn't been I ride I haven't completed, and I have only had 3 rides less than 10 miles. Two of which were commutes and the other was my very first ride.
By the way my usual Avg Grade is 0%
So as Rob says Tom you should be fine.

 

[Tom Oglesby]

Again your right Rob, there hasn't been I ride I haven't completed, and I have only had 3 rides less than 10 miles. Two of which were commutes and the other was my very first ride.
By the way my usual Avg Grade is 0%
So as Rob says Tom you should be fine.

Yeah nice one guys. What I'll do is try it on a Sunday when there's less traffic to learn the route and time it at a decent speed. I can see what your saying Rob, but some people do need the arm around the shoulder and I suppose its the nicer alternative to calling their target easy haha.

 

[Hacienda71]

You will be fine with 10 miles each way. It just seems daunting at first but you will soon wish it was longer and look for longer routes in the summer. You are doing exactly the right thing doing a couple of practice rides first.
One tip is shower before you set off if there is no shower at work. Sweat doesn't smell the bacteria that lives on stale sweat does.

 

[Tom Oglesby]

Shower every morning, like a boss