It doesn't matter if you're a seasoned cyclist or new to the sport, you should be aware of how long bike rides can take. A lot of people who are new to the sport tend to overestimate how well they'll do when they go out on their first ride, and they end up getting frustrated with themselves. Here are some great ideas on how to prepare for a 5 mile bike ride.
Just like how swimming depends on your fitness level and your stroke technique. A 5 mile bike ride will have different levels of difficulty depending on your current fitness. As well as how well you know the areas you will be riding. Additionally, the area you will be riding in will also have a lot of different factors to consider. For example, if you are just starting out as a beginner. Your best bet would be to focus on short, leisurely bike rides with short runs. A long bike ride would be something you should avoid as a beginner. Most beginner cyclists tend to underestimate how long it will take them to ride a 5 mile bike ride. With some thought and consideration, it doesn't have to be so difficult.
Figuring out how fast your bike is capable of going is important. We're not talking about it's top speed. Not only is it dangerous to push a bike to its limits. It can also be near impossible to maintain that speed for a full 5 miles. Instead try and work out how fast you can go while maintaining a steady speed over a long distance.
Most beginners make the mistake of setting to fast a pace from the start. If you start off too fast then you'll likely slow down as the miles go by. You're also far more likely to be injured, As pushing yourself from the very start can lead to muscular damage.You should always ride your bike in a controlled manner. Remember that unless you're a professional cyclist training for an important race. You're riding for enjoyment. Regardless of your age or skill level, your bike ride should be a way for you to enjoy yourself.
If you're interested in a new bike for long distance rides then we recommend a road bike. Take a look at our Best Road Bikes buyers guide.
You can get the most value out of your 5 mile bike ride by setting up a time to ride on a regular basis. You'll gain a sense of familiarity with the route, as well as the weather conditions. For example, practising in the evening and then going for your 5 mile ride during the day is a bad idea. You won't be prepared for any potential temperature changes caused by racing earlier in the day.
Riding at the same time each day will lead you to gain confidence in your physical ability. You'll build a bond with the route itself.
The time it takes you to cover a 5 mile bike ride not only depends on how often you ride it. It also depends on the terrain itself. A primarily flat route will potentially mean a faster time. Especially compared with one that has several uphill climbs. Altitude is also a factor. Riding routes that are higher than others could mean less oxygen in the air. Leading you to fatigue faster. Finally, it doesn't matter how flat the surface is in terms of inclines and declines. If the road surface is rough then you're not going to be able to achieve the same speeds safely. When compared to a silky smooth road for example.
Weather can be a huge factor in terms of your overall finish time. Riding into heavy wind can feel like you're riding uphill regardless of terrain. Riding in scorching temperatures can compromise you're stamina and lead to dehydration and fatigue. Rain, sleet and snow come with their own challenges on your visibility and grip to the surface. Each of these conditions can have negative effects on your average speed. Needless to say, perfect weather conditions can shave seconds off of your overall finish time.
So you've got a fast bike, capable of high speeds. You know the terrain and route well. You're happy that the weather will be in your favour. Next on the list of factors is you, the rider. Your physique and stamina play a major part in your overall time.
Making sure you're in good shape is important. Running is probably the best way to get in shape for biking. A good sign is whether or not you can go out for a run knowing that you can do it at a reasonable pace. Knowing your fitness level is a good way to gauge what you can expect on your 5 mile bike ride. So if you're a beginner, maybe do your first ride at a speed of 8 miles an hour. Giving you a 5 mile target of approximately 37 minutes. Remember, speed is important but safety is paramount. If your route takes you on public roads, remember to obey the rules of the road.
If you're not sure how long a bike ride can take, here's a perfect number to estimate. The 5 mile bike ride will take you approximately 20 minutes. This is working at the average speed of 15 mph, which is very doable on high quality road bikes. As long as the terrain allows for it. If the route offers built up streets, rough terrain or steep inclines then your average speed may be lower.
Unfortunately, it can take a long time to become a faster cyclist. You can't just get up on your bike, hit the road and expect to be a better cyclist after only a short amount of time. Instead, you need to give it time to build up your fitness levels. In fact, you should be riding at a pace that is a few paces slower than your own personal record. When you're comfortable with this pace, chances are if you push yourself, you'll be able to beat your own personal record. Rinse and repeat, this is how you improve overtime.
Racing against others is the biggest mistake you can make as an amateur rider. Your only focus throughout your riding journey should be to be better than you were yesterday. Improving everyday like clockwork isn't a realistic scenario however week on week. Month on month, you should start to see improvements against your previous times. Comparing your achievements against friends and colleagues is fun and can sometimes give you a competitive boost. but remember, there will always be people better than you,. Just as there will be people worse as well. If that is not the case, then perhaps you should consider turning professional!
It doesn't matter how much you want to go out for a ride. Or how much you think you're ready for a 5 mile bike ride, progress is going to take time. If you set out to go for a 5 mile bike ride on the first day and you don't put in a very good time. You might be frustrated. It's important to realise that Rome wasn't made in a day. Neither will the skills and physique you require to excel at this sport. That's why it's important to take your time, make sure you're prepared by using the knowledge you've learned in this article. Good luck and happy cycling.
bestbikeguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.