Can I ride 20 miles when I've been only riding 10?

[HappyTexasMom]

I've been riding 10 miles, and it's starting to feel pretty comfortable. Like at the end of the ride, I don't really want to stop (but I have to because I have to get to work).

Saturday is my one day of the week that I can ride longer. For some reason I really feel the desire to try for 20. However, I haven't ridden that long in, oh 20 years. Am I crazy to try this? If I got desperate I could have my husband come pick me up, but I really don't want to because a) I'd be totally embarrassed, and b) my bike doesn't fit in the back of our car very well so it'd be a royal pain.

[Lakerider]

Go for it! Better to set a high goal and try your best (any gain is success!)than to set no goal and succeed.

[Mr. Bloom]

You sure can...pace yourself and remember that your goal is distance...not speed.

[sarahspins]

Yes, you can do it, just make sure you stay hydrated.... and it's helpful to keep some plain water with you in case you get too hot to splash on yourself to help cool off.

If you can plan the route with a rest stop (either a loop ending at your house you can repeat, or a longer route with a convenience store, etc) that's even better so you can make a potty break and refill bottles as needed. I have a 5.1 mile route from my house I repeat 2-3 times pretty regularly for 10 or 15 miles. It only has a 62' change in elevation with most of that as a gradual climb at the beginning, so for around here that's about as "flat" as it gets and it's the easiest one to do if I am going for distance. I haven't yet repeated it 4 times, but perhaps I'll go for it this weekend.

You're not crazy to try it.... I read on some website recently that anyone in fair shape can easily ride 20 miles.. the trick is though, if your rear isn't used to that amount of saddle time, or you have issues with bike fit, that is what will be problematic - it's not so much a question of endurance, but comfort.

[HappyTexasMom]

Oh dear, I didn't even *think* of needing a potty break. *Duh* I could probably get by without one, but would hate to need one. A lot of my route will be along a greenbelt near parks, so they will be available, but I'll need to bring my lock so I can lock up my bike when I go in (something I wouldn't have otherwise done). I know there will be plenty of convenience stores along other parts of the route, too.

I'm purposely *not* doing a loop because I'm the type that would get near my house and say "yeah, that couch and fridge sound way too good". The big reason why cycling is working for me and the gym never did is that I'm forced to finish.

Comfort may be an issue...my bike isn't right and I need to do something about it (really need a new one, but hoping there are some things I can do to make my existing one better for the short term). Saddle isn't too bad, but my neck & shoulders do get sore. Well, we'll see, it *is* possible to shorten the route if I need to.

[Grog]

Just go for it and have fun!

And come back to report about it.

[Mr. Bloom]

Comfort may be an issue...my bike isn't right and I need to do something about it (really need a new one, but hoping there are some things I can do to make my existing one better for the short term).

Pain/discomfort are unnecessary. If the equipment isn't well suited, gauge your goal/expectation accordingly.