How many miles do you ride?

[azfiddle]

Featuretile- I almost could have written your post

I started riding in July and have been also been riding about 4 times a week, usually anywhere from 10-30 miles, and a few longer rides (44 miles is the longest so far). And I just passed the 1000 mile mark in October :-)

I agree with everyone who said there isn't a right number of miles to ride. I just get out when I have time and enjoy it... but that said, I take an inordinate amount of pleasure in the information the little bike computer provides. It's much more satisfying than basic distance record that was provided by the incessantly clicking odometer back in the 70's....

[MomOnBike]

One thing I've noticed is that I really feel best if I ride 10 miles a day. Anything less and I'm a little, um, off. YMMV, of course, but for me, at least, there is a minimum to ride. Sadly, I haven't been meeting my "quota" this year. Yuck.

[nscrbug]

I started seriously getting "into" cycling 2 years ago, when I decided to do my first triathlon (a sprint distance). A month after I completed my first tri, I signed up for an Olympic distance. After that race, I just kept on riding as much as I could until winter set in. That first year of riding, I did 3 centuries and numerous 80+ mile rides...all on the weekends. This year, I started my riding season at the end of March and I've put on over 4,700 miles so far. I'm hoping to hit the 5k mile mark before the snow starts flying here. I would say that an "average" ride for me would be in the 60-mile range. But frankly, with the shorter days and snowy weather coming, I'll take whatever I can get in. I did a 25-mile ride on Monday, which I would normally consider to be a very short ride (my Monday morning rides are generally in the 50-65 mile range), but in addition to that I also got my full gym workout in...so, I was okay with doing just 25.

[channlluv]

I'm still getting used to my road bike (used to ride a mtb), and I'm still working on my hand position. I've been getting in 8-to 12-mile rides a couple of times a week. I was doing 40+ on my mtb, so I know my legs can do it. I just need to get my upper body on board with the new position.

Roxy

[chicagogal]

I started seriously getting "into" cycling 2 years ago, when I decided to do my first triathlon (a sprint distance). A month after I completed my first tri, I signed up for an Olympic distance. After that race, I just kept on riding as much as I could until winter set in. That first year of riding, I did 3 centuries and numerous 80+ mile rides...all on the weekends. This year, I started my riding season at the end of March and I've put on over 4,700 miles so far. I'm hoping to hit the 5k mile mark before the snow starts flying here. I would say that an "average" ride for me would be in the 60-mile range. But frankly, with the shorter days and snowy weather coming, I'll take whatever I can get in. I did a 25-mile ride on Monday, which I would normally consider to be a very short ride (my Monday morning rides are generally in the 50-65 mile range), but in addition to that I also got my full gym workout in...so, I was okay with doing just 25.

Hi nscrbug,
We are both in the chicago area, and it sounds like we are doing similar kinds of riding. I have also been cycling for 2 years, and have achieved a lot of distance goals this year. I am also starting to get faster/stronger by riding with people who are faster/stronger. Do you ride with groups, or on your own. There are a lot of great cycling groups to chose from in the Chicago area, or if you are just looking for someone to ride with every now and then, send me a PM!