How many miles do you bike a day? (sore, gym, bicycle)

[smartygurl]

For those of you who ride bikes either regular bikes or mountain bikes, how many miles do you travel each day? I just started riding a mountain bike for exercise and am trying to get some idea of what would be a good goal in terms of milage per day. I've discovered that I am more out of shape than I realized so I will progress myself conservatively, but I enjoy bike riding and it will certainly be a form of regular exercise that I will be motivated to do daily. Any imput is appreciated.

[TheCaliforniaBear]

Originally Posted by smartygurl

For those of you who ride bikes either regular bikes or mountain bikes, how many miles do you travel each day? I just started riding a mountain bike for exercise and am trying to get some idea of what would be a good goal in terms of milage per day. I've discovered that I am more out of shape than I realized so I will progress myself conservatively, but I enjoy bike riding and it will certainly be a form of regular exercise that I will be motivated to do daily. Any imput is appreciated.

I ride about 20-30 miles a day. But i've been doing it everyday for like 5 years. I lived overseas for years without a car and my bicycle was my only transportation, and I still ride for transportation most of the time.

For a total beginner maybe 5 miles a day? I don't know, just do it until you get sore and tired I guess.

Taking rest days is really important too. Take one or two rest days a week. Maybe three.

[plaidmom]

I usually ride for time, not mileage.

A short ride for me is maybe 1 1/2 hours. A long ride is at least 4-6. I do a couple of short rides per week, two mid-range (2-3 hours) and a least one long. I do both road and mtb (trail) riding. I like to mix it up.

This weekend I am doing a 12 hour mtb race---my first long-distance event in a long time. I'm pretty excited. I can't pat myself on the back too much though-some of my friends are doing the 24 hr event.

[ChessieMom]

I know a bunch of cyclists...they do an average of 30 miles on their daily rides.

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by plaidmom

I usually ride for time, not mileage.

A short ride for me is maybe 1 1/2 hours. A long ride is at least 4-6. I do a couple of short rides per week, two mid-range (2-3 hours) and a least one long. I do both road and mtb (trail) riding. I like to mix it up.

This weekend I am doing a 12 hour mtb race---my first long-distance event in a long time. I'm pretty excited. I can't pat myself on the back too much though-some of my friends are doing the 24 hr event.

WOW! You go, plaidmom!!

[cubssoxfan]

I do 20-30 on my road bike. (Old Ben Franklin saying: 20 a day helps keep the doctor away) Weekends will sometimes be longer, up to 55 miles. If I ride on local path with mountain bike 15-20. If I do some challenging single tracks it can take me a few hours to travel 10-15 miles.
When I started riding regularly 5 years ago and 30+ pounds heavier my cycling computer was broken. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I just rode based on time. First for 20 minutes, then 30, then 40, than an hour and then the desire to get the road bike out and do longer faster rides returned along with the fitness to tackle them.
So just "Nike" it. Good luck and have fun!

[jaxart]

I've been a regular rider for at least the past 40 years and used to ride at an average rate of 15 miles per hour. I could time my arrival using that as a guide. My longest one day ride remains 150 miles, and that was with a tail wind the entire day.

Now I have slowed to about 12 miles an hour and ride for 1-1/2 to 2 hours every other day - so about 18 to 24 miles. It's a bit deceiving too, since I live in mountainous country where half my time is spent chugging uphill and the other half coasting downhill!

[juggler]

I commute to work by bike, 10 miles round trip. I also usually do a longer ride on the weekend, 45-65 miles. So I put in about 100+ miles a week.

I love climbing and found that I'm pretty good at it. In fact, the new bike computer I ordered, with built-in altimeter should be arriving tomorrow.

[PanTerra]

Originally Posted by smartygurl

For those of you who ride bikes either regular bikes or mountain bikes, how many miles do you travel each day? I just started riding a mountain bike for exercise and am trying to get some idea of what would be a good goal in terms of milage per day. I've discovered that I am more out of shape than I realized so I will progress myself conservatively, but I enjoy bike riding and it will certainly be a form of regular exercise that I will be motivated to do daily. Any imput is appreciated.

Riding an mtb will more readily reveal your fitness level than a road bike, especially if are riding on big 2.25" low pressure knobby tires. Trail riding for 10 miles will ware me out, however, I get up to 200 miles a week on my road bike. I do have a mtb bike with a 2nd set of wheels set up with some narrower (1.4") specialized "Fat Boy" slicks inflated to 100 psi that makes road riding much more efficient. I consider it my urban assault bike, usually for night rides where hitting road hazards would be a little more likely. You will eventually get to the point that it won't be worth getting all ready for a ride unless you can get in at least 20 miles. Also might want to check for local cycling clubs. That will speed up increasing your performance level faster than solo riding.

[another_hot-day]

I'm in the gym during the week but on weekends I do 20-30 miles per day. Good times.