What distances do folks do?

[colly]

375m IN A DAY!?....now come on...where's the fun in that?

I'll add a few more options to the Poll as obviously a lot of folks do more than is up there!

So, I reckon getting myself up to about 50 miles would be about right? I'm really just trying to increase my fitness and am looking for a some kind of benchmark - having never cycled before! Oooh...new question...are these miles on the flat? My routes tend to be up and down around the peaks (one day I had to actually turn around and adjust my route as I just couldn't get up one hill! LOL!! I've been back since and regularly start my routes up it now)

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Curiously thats one thing that got me hooked on cycling.
When I decided I would do a few short rides to see if I would take to cycling I went up a hill that I would regularly run up. I thought I was reasonably fit but no more than half way up and I was wobbling about all over the place unable to turn the cranks, shaking like a leaf and I was so out of breath I just had to get off and push.
I decided then and there I would get better and be able to ride to the top.
The next time I went back after a few more rides I made it even though it was an effort.
By that time I was hooked. I spent the next couple of years seeking out the longest and steepest climbs I could ride to so I could test myself on them.

Pointless I guess but I just wanted to do it for my own satisfaction. After all no one but me would know if I made it over the top or not.

Anyone I did tell thought I was bonkers.

 

[Iainj837]

my cycling is mainly commuting and because my job is based in the community my daily commute changes form day to day it can vary from 2 miles up to 22 miles.
I think my best is about 57miles which was walton to bath

 

[snorri]

My most regular trip is to the shops, a round trip of 7 miles or so.

 

[BentMikey]

I think it's fairly obvious that a newbie is interested in how many miles in a day (because a newbie doesn't do one ride stretched over multiple days)

He didn't ask about newbie rides though, but about cyclechat member rides, and there are a few more serious audaxers on here.

 

[peanut]

is this another pissing contest

I have recently started cycling again after a 4 year layoff due to back problems.

I have been riding once a week 8-12 mile very hilly circular routes rather than a longer flat route to build up some strength in my legs (its very hilly round here) .

When it gets warmer and less muddy I hope to join a local club and increase that to 25-40 miles but I don't want to overdo it just yet and risk injury.

 

[BentMikey]

Not by me, LOL. I'm far from a mileage monster, I was just commenting on what many non-cyclists might consider reasonable distances is far different to what most cyclists would.

My regular ride is 43 miles, and my longest day only 150, so far from impressive.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

To and from work 6 miles each way. Club rides, Cov Road Club, 50-60 miles. Leisure rides between 30 and 50 miles.

 

[mickwood]

Thanks guys, no - definitely not a pissing contest!

Just that having NEVER biked before and not really knowing any cyclists I just wanted a gauge for a benchmark to my own cycling - i.e. am I doing the same as most cyclists or am I doing far less!? As I am biking to gain fitness I assumed the average distances covered by most riders would be a good goal to aim for.

Not sure about the whole 'same ride over a few days'? that just sounds like1 ride a day over a few consequetive days? but I get the feeling thats a contenscious issue!? I'll keep out of that one

 

[Fab Foodie]

I've taken quite a few mid-life crisis riders from virtual couch potatoes to 100 milers. If you start now, there is no reason (if of average fitness and health) that a 100 miler should not be possible by the summer. We tended to look at 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 as the benchmarks. Fitness and distance builds readily on a bike, speed takes more hard work, but distance is about time in the saddle, building up gently especially at this time of the year and imprortantly, learning to fuel and pace yourself for the distance.
Don't get hung-up on speedometers and stats or punishing yourself too early, just enjoy the miles, find a good local loop and have fun!

A cycling buddy prepared to go at your pace is good too!

 

[palinurus]

All depends on how much time I've got and how I feel.

 

[jimboalee]

Work in winter ( drive half way ) is 12 miles. Summer 24.

Solihull Sunday D ride 45 - 50 miles.

Don't do 100km AUK pops any more.

10hr 200km AUK Brevets.
16hr 300km AUK Brevets.

 

[Before40]

I do the same 25 mile route every weekend. In the spring / summer this will expand to 50, on a rare occasion 60, ready for the L2B, IOW Randonee's etc.

 

[mickwood]

Fab Foodie, thanks, that's reassuring because that's pretty much what I'm doing at the min. Building up slowly (hence the question/poll to find out what to build up to), not interested in speed at all. Maybe when I get used to it all? my objective now is to build the distance and not come back to collapse!

Someone mentioned L2B? and another....where would I find info on those kind of things? They may be good goals to aim for?

 

[marinyork]

Mickwood, if you cycle in the Peaks, CTC rides whichever side of the Pennines you are on do your sort of distances and that sort of ride.

 

[cadseen]

my training for 2008 is detailed here .
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/martin.hulbert/Cycling/training.htm