My First 20-Mile Ride

[Doc333]

Well I'm chuffed to bits as it's taken me 15 rides to get there, but today I did 21-miles and felt pretty good. I averaged 12.5 mph in breezy conditions so for an old boy probably not too shabby. Today was the first time a pelaton hasn't zipped past me but probably because I chose a route where they weren't going. Going out again in the morning and hope to repeat, and I should be able to achieve 30 miles within a few weeks I hope.

Does everyone take detours to avoid climbing?

 

[welsh dragon]

Well done. And yes I take detours all the time.

 

[puffinbilly]

Well done - you'll start to take detours to get some climbing in - unthinkable I know for you at the moment, but get the distance in and your endurance up and then the climbs will come.

 

[biggs682]

@Doc333 well done , i am building my miles slowly as well

 

[ScotiaLass]

Well done!
I've been back riding since November and average 10-12 miles. I've managed 15 miles on one ride and was wiped out for a few days after that!
I'm aiming to manage 15 as an average by the spring and make my first 20-25 by the summer.
Onwards and upwards!

 

[The Mighty Boosh]

like you I broke the 20 miles barrier today, unlike you I am laid flat on my sofa typing with light of the chrome book screen as I am to tired to get up and put the lights on lol

for me Hills are a challenge and so try to hit as many as possible, plus I get to go down them on the way home

 

[Mothy1965]

Well I'm chuffed to bits as it's taken me 15 rides to get there, but today I did 21-miles and felt pretty good. I averaged 12.5 mph in breezy conditions so for an old boy probably not too shabby. Today was the first time a pelaton hasn't zipped past me but probably because I chose a route where they weren't going. Going out again in the morning and hope to repeat, and I should be able to achieve 30 miles within a few weeks I hope.

Does everyone take detours to avoid climbing?

Well done you - I'm a little behind you - 16 is my furthest yet having started in Mid-Dec 2013. Hoping to do a 20 miler before the end of January.
And yes I avoid inclines cos they stop me in my tracks :-)
I also avoid busy roads and people (cos of the lycra) :-)

 

[Easytigers]

Well done - you'll start to take detours to get some climbing in - unthinkable I know for you at the moment, but get the distance in and your endurance up and then the climbs will come.

This is so true!!! I spent the first 18 months trying to miss them and now go out of my way to find interesting hills to climb!!!

 

[DooDah]

I remember very well when I took detours to avoid hills. There are not many routes near me without hills, so it was quite a task. I really was not long before I started to tackle some of the hills, and now I just take off, and if there is a hill I look at it as a challenge. Hills used to fill me with dread. Before long you will be tackling and enjoying hills, so well done so far.

 

[Twotter]

Congrats on getting through the 20 mile barrier! Avoiding hills is quite easy for me...I live in the Fens

 

[Doc333]

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement, and I'll be back on the tarmac tomoz, but I suppose it all depends on how the legs feel, but whatever happens it will be into double figures. It was only a few weeks ago I was covering 8-miles and being goosed and breathless. I feel like I'm not so much of a flump now

 

[MikeW-71]

Good going guys. Won't be too long until you stop dreading the hills. I took advantage of the awesome weather today and put in a nice 43 miles.

 

[Dave 123]

Just as long as you get off your bike with a smile on your face and you have the intention of doing it all again!

 

[Bladeboy]

Well done, I'm much the same done a couple of 20's but with working nights and rubbish weather average between 10 to 15 miles few times a week. Been riding since end of October and it's become an addiction lol. I now own two bikes loads of gear and have a not so good bank account!
Oh well you only live once Roll on the spring/summer

 

[Pat "5mph"]

@Doc333 well done , i am building my miles slowly as well

You're building miles as well as bikes?
Well done @Doc333 as others said an all flat ride becomes boring eventually, you will be seeking hills for a bit of variety - small inclines in my case