30 mile round trip doable in these short days?

[bighipspeddler]

I have been shy about trying it.

Going by the average speed with my new computer of about 5mph it would take 3 hours each way approx.

Would have to not tarry much at all in the morning and not much room for unforeseen extensions to the journey which, from experience, can happen quite easily, particularly for new routes.

I suppose one can talk themselves out of doing something or talk themselves into doing something but it is about weighing things up.

 

[Oldhippy]

Go for it.

 

[bighipspeddler]

Go for it.

Of course I know it is 'possible' just wondering if people are still getting out for those kind of rides right now. Since I don't ride with anyone else I do not know if it is ill advised or whatnot this time of year.

Surely I can find out myself, just getting a barometer of things.

Now I have a nice big saddle bag I am more free to go farther but haven't ventured too far from the nest yet.

Although a practical matter is the weather!

I have walked in all weathers before but having taken a marathon trek a year or so ago at the break of dawn in a huge storm hammering it down all day I learned that waterproof is only applicable to a point.

Ice is another matter and would not want to ride in that case, but even in the coldest months ice is not that common except for short stretches I think?

 

[Alex321]

Of course I know it is 'possible' just wondering if people are still getting out for those kind of rides right now. Since I don't ride with anyone else I do not know if it is ill advised or whatnot this time of year.

Surely I can find out myself, just getting a barometer of things.

I am certainly doing so, but I couldn't ride at that slow an average speed. I expect to do a 30 mile round trip in well under 3 hours total, not each way.

Are you sure you are only averaging about 5mph? THat is a fast walking pace, much slower than most people would expect to do on a bike - Google trip planning assumes an average of 10mph, which would still be slower than most keen cyclists would manage, but would be about right for more casual cyclists.

 

[Oldhippy]

I ride solo, and will do 50 odd miles regardless of time of year. Not a big fan of really dreadful weather but will ride in it if I'm touring. The more you get out the easier it will be. Dress for the weather, drink and snacks and don't put yourself under pressure, everyday is a adventure. Take a camera even and check out the photo threads on this forum for added incentive even. Enjoy.

 

[bighipspeddler]

I am certainly doing so, but I couldn't ride at that slow an average speed. I expect to do a 30 mile round trip in well under 3 hours total, not each way.

Are you sure you are only averaging about 5mph? THat is a fast walking pace, much slower than most people would expect to do on a bike - Google trip planning assumes an average of 10mph, which would still be slower than most keen cyclists would manage, but would be about right for more casual cyclists.

Yes, but what is your terrain like? For reference (according to my spiffy new inclinometer) I start my ride on a 14% incline! and it is pretty much the same up down up down here for a good few miles either side.

I will add even that 5 was bumped up from 2 or 3mph for most of the ride, when I then coasted back down which brought up my average! but probably a poor sample size to say it is my overall average as it was only about 40 minutes on the ups and downs close by for one ride.

I have only used the odometer once so far so my average might be higher once things level out but have not gotten to flatter parts yet to know. The route I expect to be mostly the same kind of up and down straddling the hills.

Of course I am not ashamed to say that is just my speed if it is lower than average but thought it pertinent to mention that is the terrain I am dealing with as the norm.

 

[Oldhippy]

You are the engine, provided your bike is in good order and set up right. There is no shame in walking a bit if you have to until fitness builds up. Make it fun, not a chore and don't worry.

 

[bighipspeddler]

I ride solo, and will do 50 odd miles regardless of time of year. Not a big fan of really dreadful weather but will ride in it if I'm touring. The more you get out the easier it will be. Dress for the weather, drink and snacks and don't put yourself under pressure, everyday is a adventure. Take a camera even and check out the photo threads on this forum for added incentive even. Enjoy.

Thanks, aye it is good to read of other's riding habits for motivation. As discussed in my other recent thread hitting 'the wall' at about 2 hours is what had stopped me but that is before I got a stout saddle bag to stow food.

Stopping for a proper meal can be part of the experience but one time I just chucked in some oats into the water bottle for fast carbs and did seem to make quite a difference though it was a nuisance to try and get the dregs out so I think I would keep them separate in future and chuck a mouthful in and gulp some water, and repeat.

 

[Oldhippy]

I use my bike as transport, so shopping, adventure, leisure, work, when I did, I've even moved home on it twice including the washing machine on a trailer. The sofa did beat me though.

 

[bighipspeddler]

I use my bike as transport, so shopping, adventure, leisure, work, when I did, I've even moved home on it twice including the washing machine on a trailer. The sofa did beat me though.

Impressive.

Btw what do you recommend as suitable rain riding gear (cheaper)? I mean not huge downpours but light rain? I currently only have my summer short sleeve jersey for riding. I have army surplus for usual water resistant outdoor wear but far to baggy to be very suitable for longer riding. Maybe just another excuse though! As I only wanted a quick ride the other day I didn't bother changing and went out in those including my big 'bovver boots' as my mum would call them and didn't even think about it when riding.

The boots are very heavy though and do notice them vs a lighter pair of walkers.

I will say all the stuff to get ready to ride is a large mental barrier to bothering a lot of the time. Would be good to steamline that, to be able to just 'grab n go' which I have been working on. Getting the bigger bag has helped a lot as most can just stay in there now whereas before I had to load the jersey pockets to the brim and of course have most of it fall out when taking it off!

 

[Alex321]

Yes, but what is your terrain like? For reference (according to my spiffy new inclinometer) I start my ride on a 14% incline! and it is pretty much the same up down up down here for a good few miles either side.

I have only used the odometer once so far so my average might be higher once things level out but have not gotten to flatter parts yet to know. The route I expect to be mostly the same kind of up and down straddling the hills.

Of course I am not ashamed to say that is just my speed if it is lower than average but thought it pertinent to mention that is the terrain I am dealing with as the norm.

It is pretty hilly round here, though not all that many at 14% or more - most of the hills I ride are 8-12% max. There are a few though which are in the 14-20% range, including one which hits 15% within a mile from home.

This year so far, I have averaged 56 feet of climbing per mile ridden (163,632 feet in 2,892.9 miles). That is actually lower than my average in previous years for some reason, I have usually averaged between 60 and 65 feet per mile.

 

[Oldhippy]

I don't use cycling specific clothing. My waterproofs are from go outdoors, cheap but functional and do the job. I never charge about so don't get too hot. Cycling for me is about the journey, the views and fun. Sounds cheesy, but there it is.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

As said before - 5 mph seems a slow average
I am not TdF rider but even if I have the ebike motor switched off then I can keep up to 10 mph - and that is on canal paths which may be flat (mostly) but are wiggly and narrow and have a dodgy surface
the more lumpy ride are actually faster because they are on tarmac in spite of some slow bits uphill

Even on uphill bits they are normally followed by a downhill bit so the slow bits are balanced by the fast bits??

but either way - try it - just leave yourself time
as you do it time several times you will find your fitness increases and your times get better and the effort gets less

 

[bighipspeddler]

It is pretty hilly round here, though not all that many at 14% or more - most of the hills I ride are 8-12% max. There are a few though which are in the 14-20% range, including one which hits 15% within a mile from home.

This year so far, I have averaged 56 feet of climbing per mile ridden (163,632 feet in 2,892.9 miles). That is actually lower than my average in previous years for some reason, I have usually averaged between 60 and 65 feet per mile.

Oh yea I just saw the south wales under your name so makes sense! We shall see if my average goes up. Too small a sample size to say if that is my actual average, but if it is so be it! I am not a 'honker' up hills as they say. I enjoy sittin' n spinnin'.

 

[Alex321]

Impressive.

Btw what do you recommend as suitable rain riding gear (cheaper)? I mean not huge downpours but light rain? I currently only have my summer short sleeve jersey for riding. I have army surplus for usual water resistant outdoor wear but far to baggy to be very suitable for longer riding. Maybe just another excuse though! As I only wanted a quick ride the other day I didn't bother changing and went out in those including my big 'bovver boots' as my mum would call them and didn't even think about it when riding.

The boots are very heavy though and do notice them vs a lighter pair of walkers.

I will say all the stuff to get ready to ride is a large mental barrier to bothering a lot of the time. Would be good to steamline that, to be able to just 'grab n go' which I have been working on. Getting the bigger bag has helped a lot as most can just stay in there now whereas before I had to load the jersey pockets to the brim and of course have most of it fall out when taking it off!

I'm quite unusual there, in that I don't have any separate wet weather gear, I just ride in my regular cycling gear and get wet. Unless it is also very cold, that doesn't bother me much, and I have yet to find any "breathable" outer wear which is breathable enough for the amount I tend to sweat.