what is a good distance for a brand new rider to shoot for

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Rob3rt

Man or Moose!
Location
Manchester
As far as is comfortably possible and will allow you to get back home if you become to tired!

Try just riding your bike and go by feel.
 

asturel131

New Member
Hi, I just recently started riding too, basically just start off with small distances then increase them as your confidence grows. I got my bike as an alternative to running and my hamstrings are already thanking me for it!! Good luck man!
 

4F

Active member of Helmets Are Sh*t Lobby
Location
Suffolk.
Set your self small targets and then build from there for example 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50
 

lesley_x

Über Member
Location
Glasgow
Don't worry yourself with distances at the start. On my first ride 8 weeks ago I could only manage 1.5 miles round trip! Now I'm doing 12 comfortably.

Just enjoy yourself at first. I made the mistake of worrying too much about stacking up to what was 'normal'. Just do what you're comfortable with.
 

jethro10

Über Member
About 6 weeks ago, a friend of mine's husband started cycling.
50 yr old, unfit.

After 2.6m, the next day he was well and truly broken, now 6 miles is fine and climbing.

I've been at it over a year now, and only just now am I at the point of not dreading hills and finding a day out with the wife, carrying a small picnic on the bike and doing 35 miles is about nice.
Jeff
 

Arch

Married to Night Train
Location
Salford, UK
A tip. If you're not sure how far you can get, don't ride out until you're exhausted, because you still have to get back. Ride a little way out from your home, then try and work round in a circle. You'll never be too far from home, but you can do laps if you feel like you can.
 

Boston Biker

New Member
Get a riding computer. For me at least it really makes me want to go one more mile and makes it hard to stop.
 

marzjennings

Legendary Member
One mile of running exhausts me if I try I run it in under 5 mins.

Don't worry about the distance (unless you have some goal or event you're aiming for) think about how much you spend on the bike. If 30 mins of daily exercise is supposed to be good for us, then start there. See if you can just ride for 30 mins. Take is slow and easy. If you find you're blowing up before the 30 mins are done then go slower next time. Once 30 mins feels easy add another 15 mins. You may be surprised how much distance you begin to cover.
 

Alembicbassman

Confused.com
My afternoon rides are generally 25-30miles.

I did 35 on the mountain bike the other day, but over 3 hours so not a high average speed, more of a gentle pootle.

I did a 20 mile hike a few weeks back through Edale in the Peak District which took 9 hours, was probably the equivalent of 100 miles ride.
 

tmcd35

Active Member
Location
Norfolk
When I started again back in November I stuggled at around the 7mph marker. Back then the goal was to see how far I could get in half hour and then turn around and go back home, giving me an hours ride. Slowly I upped that to 2 hours (hour out and then back). Now I'm stupid enough to sign up for Cyclosportives that leave me fairly exhusted after a leasurly 10hr marathon.

As others have said, set your self some easily achievable goals and build up little and often.
 

amnesia

Free-wheeling into oblivion...
At the beginning of the summer I struggled to do the 6 miles to work at an average speed of 12mph without dying... last week I did a very hilly 38miles around the Purbecks at 16mph average and was fine.

Like others have said - start out easy and build up as and when you feel ready to go a bit further.
 

Benthedoon

Well-Known Member
Location
Colchester
I too am new to riding after 4-5 years of doing as little as possible, I got back on a bike seriously about 2 months ago 2 miles each way to work 5 days a week with 1 longer training ride on a Sunday morning.
The Sunday run started at 8 miles then I rode to a friends house which was 14 and that nearly killed me, a fortnight ago I broke 20 miles and last week I did 35, that one hurt but I did it.
Build it up slowly and you'll soon be going further and longer than you expect.
 

richtea78

New Member
I started riding again a while ago (probably not even a month!) and the first day I struggled to do 2 miles. I have been riding for 5 days a week and am now doing 5 miles although its hard work. I do 3 days then have a day off then another 3 and another day off, so its not exactly 5 days a week. It is getting easier though, it was surprising how much my fitness has improved although the muscles are taking longer.

I dont know about your overall level of fitness, mine was and still is abysmall after 15 years of abusing my body but its gradually improving. Hills still kill me though so I do have to get off and walk sometimes but it is getting better. I probably couldnt run a mile however!

I am thinking of getting a trainer as that way I wont have the excuse not to ride when the weather gets worse. Oh and I want a MTB now as well so I can ride with some friends.

Hope it goes well for you
 
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