what sort of distance could i expect to cycle?

[united4ever]

So been commuting 8 miles each way for a year on my hybrid along the canal. Never done any recreational cycling since i was a kid.

Was thinking of heading out on a weekend to the cheshire plains to see what sort of distance i could do. Would 20 to 30 miles be a massive jump for someone with my profile? A friend suggested i join him on a manchester to blackpool ride sometime but think that would be way too much (think its 50 miles ish).

I know building up to it is the answer so was wondering what is a realistic jump up from my commute.. I could take it easy and seek out flat routes.

 

[Sixmile]

20 or 30 miles is definitely achievable. 16 miles a day is good going and you will have built up fitness and strength by daily cycling. My wife, who hadn't been on a bike since her youth, managed 25 miles with me on her 2nd or 3rd cycle so certainly. I'd plan out a rough route or a destination point and go for it!

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

50 miles should be fine I reckon, if you go at same pace and have a few stops.

 

[rugby bloke]

Great to hear that you want to stretch your wings.

Not knowing your general fitness levels, route profile etc its hard to be specific. However from my experience last year, moving up to the 20s would be comfortable, 30 would be a stretch and 50 would require some training before hand.

 

[Scoop]

Plan a good 50 mile route but plan it so there are various 'get out' points that you can come off at and return home should you be really hurting.

Did that even make sense!?

 

[KneesUp]

There was a book in our house when I was a kid called 'The St Michael Book of Cycling' or something - it's was definitely a M&S own book.

Anyway, I distinctly recall that saying something like 'when your child becomes a teenager, they will be able to cycle 50 miles in a day without any problem' - but I guess teenagers were more active then.

Another 'rule of thumb' I've read is that you can comfortably 2 x your usual weekly mileage as a one-off day ride - so if you are doing 8x2 x 5days a week, that makes 180 miles. Go for it!

 

[Dayvo]

Assuming that you and your bike are in perfect harmony together (arse and saddle, particularly) and you have a reasonable level of cycling fitness, then a moderately-paced 50-miler would be achievable.

 

[steveindenmark]

A 50 mile day should be possible if it actually is recreational cycling. That means stopping when you want, coffee breaks etc.

Just make sure your friend knows you are going out on a Potter about.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I reckon a 30 miler would be a real boost. You can probably do 50 easily, but 30 will feel plenty far.

 

[united4ever]

There was a book in our house when I was a kid called 'The St Michael Book of Cycling' or something - it's was definitely a M&S own book.

Anyway, I distinctly recall that saying something like 'when your child becomes a teenager, they will be able to cycle 50 miles in a day without any problem' - but I guess teenagers were more active then.

Another 'rule of thumb' I've read is that you can comfortably 2 x your usual weekly mileage as a one-off day ride - so if you are doing 8x2 x 5days a week, that makes 180 miles. Go for it!

Ha ha, I'll take that with a pinch of salt. Maybe I could do it if my life depended on it. Ok, I'll have a look at a nice 30 mile route and see how that goes. Thanks a lot

 

[Gravity Aided]

Just plan about three stops, and take a bit of water or something along, and you should have a great time of it.

 

[helston90]

16 miles up to 20 miles is nothing, you wouldn't even notice it- try for the 50, take it easy, have a back up plan ready.

 

[raleighnut]

Distance is all in the mind, just take it at a steady pace.

 

[Markymark]

If you get the right pace and the right nutrition you can usually ride all day.

 

[vickster]

A 50 mile day should be possible if it actually is recreational cycling. That means stopping when you want, coffee breaks etc.

Just make sure your friend knows you are going out on a Potter about.

Indeed unless you are wanting to do it pretty much without stopping?

There are about 12 or more hours of daylight currently. If your rear end doesn't burst into metaphorical flames and you have all day, do your 50 miles in chunks. 15 miles at 10-12mph have a coffee break, another 15 have a picnic lunch somewhere scenic, another 15, time for tea, another 5 and you are home all done in 6 or 7 hours easily (assuming no major mechanicals)

Don't think someone used to riding would need to train. If you want to do the 50 in 3 hours that's a rather different proposition