Fifty Plus (50+) - 50+'rs - How are you doing on your mileage goals?

50+'rs - How are you doing on your mileage or kilometerage? goals?

For those of you who set and like mileage or kilometerage goals for this year, how are you doing?

I am at 745 miles as of this morning (2/25/2006), and my goal for the year is 4,250. This includes my indoor trainer miles. I do believe I will make my goal, as the outside riding season hasn't really gotten into gear around here yet.

So, how are the rest of you mileage freaks doing?

I would like to do 5000 miles (all road) this year. Currently I'm at 500 (all road), so am a bit behind.

- i track miles, but don't really obsess much... more important to me, as a 50+'r, is that i get at least 7-10 hours on a bike a week at a bit over an hour or so on each ride...

- i also try not to feel guilty about having one or two days off a week (though i usually ride six days)

- and, i don't 'push it' more than four days a week... i want to enjoy the scenery!

- lemme check the bike 'puters... OK, so far for 2006: 634 ... which isn't too bad perhaps, considering i was out of commission with the flu for a week two weeks ago?

:-)

My personal goal for the year (my first year of cycling since 20 years ago) is 4,000 miles. I'm not starting my year on January 1, though... I'm starting it last September 15, which was the date that I got frightened into cleaning up my act health-wise and starting to get regular exercise again. So I'm a bit over 5 months into my year, with a current mileage total of 1,560. (That includes miles on the trainer... it's cold and snowy around here in the winter!) So I'm behind pace, but I think I've got a good chance of making it. For one thing, that total includes a couple of months at the beginning where I was really out of shape and only doing perhaps 30 miles a week. Lately it's been more like 100 miles a week. And for another thing, spring and summer are on the horizon, with a chance to take my new carbon rocket out onto the road and really rack up some miles. The key for me is going to be to stay off of airplanes. Business travel is the great disruptor of my riding, and whether or not I'll meet my goals depends more than anything else, I think, on keeping it to a minimum so I can stay home and ride.

I don't really have a mileage goal this year, but I am just shy of 1K right now (990 miles).

Most of my riding has been on the road, but I also include my indoor cycling. My goal began as 3000, but soon became 5000 miles. Currently, I'm at a tad over 1400 miles for the year and ahead of pace.

But, this is hard on me. A year ago, I literally could hardly walk due to torn ligaments in my knees. That's what got me on the road to fitness. I almost got used to living with pain. Now, only my bottom hurts. It's still getting used to so much time in the saddle. The good part is that my knee pain is pretty much gone. And, although I have to sometimes drag myself onto the bike, I find that I can go hours and enjoy the whole process.

My year didn't start until May, so far 3700 miles. I am retired so can ride everyday.

Well, since my mileage goal is to get to where I'm going, I guess I'm doing fine. Iced over roads last weekend did force me to walk to work two days though.

I have 858 commuting miles so far this year. 22 mile round trip.

Milage isn't one of my points to note, But I have finally got one of my computers working.

I know the length of my rides so can guesstimate milage easy enough. Should still be about 3,000 on weekly milage and hopefully around 1,000 on the Organised rides. So far this year It is around 500 Two rides a week at 30 miles each and 9 weeeks into the year. Can't wait for the weather to change though, then I can get a few more Hill miles in.

I have just realised aswell. 3 types of riding- or more if you want to get picky. Offroad- Road and static bike. I would always class off road as the most exerting- then road and finally static. Then you get the Flat rides- hilly rides and the bad weather rides. Though how you can set a static bike up to give you 30mph winds in the face, temperatures of below freezing and torrential rain I can only guess. Set it up in the Garden?

Not knocking those of you on Static bikes as you do something I will not do. If the weather gets so bad that I cannot ride- I go and do the gardening or repair the bikes. You at least are keeping the Cardio side working and toning the leg muscles. I do not like static bikes so do not ride them.

What I am tryng to get at is the standard of those miles. Of my 4,000 a year that I do- hopefully most of them will be the "Quality" miles that are worth doing.

I'm upset with my mileage this calendar year. So far, just 439 miles, and I won't be able to ride the last two days of the month, either. My goal is 300 miles a month, so unless I can do a metric century today, and a real century tomorrow (Ha!) I will end February in the hole.

Didn't help to have eight 1-3 day business trips in the past six weeks.

I know goals aren't everything. And I have had fun on the rides I've gotten. And i do appreciate living in a place where year-round riding is quite possible. And i understand that this disappointment is a mental thing, and that cycling is 90% mental, and 50% physical.

Still, I'm just saying...

The goal is still there and doing fine. My success in acheiving the goal is good, but I am behind as Feb. has meant alot of travel and when I get home it seems to rain. In summer riding in rain is fine, in winter it is a no go. Finally got home this week and have ridden the last three days. My legs feel good, but my heart rate is higher than midseason last year. At this point I'm just happy to be out riding again.
I have only about 250 miles to date. Have been using a trainer at hotels and apartment complex fitness room (temp housing while house is being restored) I don't count that as any milege. I find it seems to keep my legs in shape, but I just can't get a good heart work out.
Anyway I think the 2,500 goal will still not be a problem.
This morning's ride was great and tomorrow I will do a nice long ride in the morning.

Trying to shoot for 6000 miles this year (or 500 miles/month) and am just barely on pace (1019 miles). Somehow I managed just a little over 600 miles in January and have 400 this month. I hope to get in another chunk tomorrow and Tuesday night which will give me a little more of a cushion. Normally my miles pick up in warmer weather so the decent start has me optimistic.

There's a guy in Arizona who, according to his bikejournal.com profile, has logged almost 3,900 miles already in 2006. I can't imagine how he finds the time, has the energy, or has a life, but i have to give him credit -- that's astonishing.

I did the Bike Journal thing last year for the first time with the Bentrider group. I managed just a bit over 5000 miles on a Challenge Hurricane and a Volae Club. So far this year I am less than 200 miles so I doubt I will get that much. I will be happy with any amount but would prefer between and 4-5000. I am doing okay for someone 60 yoa and with Rhuemmatoid Arthritis.
Go Recumbents, no neck pain, no wrist pain, and no butt pain.
Bruce

There's a guy in Arizona who, according to his bikejournal.com profile, has logged almost 3,900 miles already in 2006. I can't imagine how he finds the time, has the energy, or has a life, but i have to give him credit -- that's astonishing.

Good for him, but I don't quite see the point?

Certainly the conditioning/fitness value ratio of miles/conditioning level must drop off rapidly with very high mileages. Sort of like buying a bike - you can get a really decent bike for $2,000 (or less) and then the price increase beyond that represent a very, very small gain in performance of the bicycle. Likewise with bicycling mileages beyond a certain figure, IMHO.

In fact, I sort of wonder if the conditioning might go negative with extremely high mileages, if that leads to a decrease in such activities as weight lifting and cross training?

Oh well, to each his own.

Me - I have a wife and family that are extremely important to me. I am at about the right bicycling/family ratio right now!

Zero miles so far......see my doctor for post surgery checkup on Monday (2-27) and hoping (everything crossable crossed) that I will be cleared to resume normal activity. I has been a loooonng 2 months of no pedalling......
BCNU
Gary

Zero miles so far......see my doctor for post surgery checkup on Monday (2-27) and hoping (everything crossable crossed) that I will be cleared to resume normal activity. I has been a loooonng 2 months of no pedalling......
BCNU
Gary

Here's hoping for a terrific report from your upcoming doctor visit. Someone told me that for every month off the bike it takes 2 mos to recover.....so, be patient when you return!

Bluntly, pretty bad, but that's based on equal miles for all four seasons. Taking into account that my mileage will be higher beginning next month, I'm still behind, but not much.

Goal of 2006 miles in 2006.

No miles on a bike yet, but 215+ miles on an exercycle. I plan to count exercycle miles if I don't get enough road time, but would love to get 2006 on the road. I don't expect to do a significant road ride for another month or so since I am wimpy about riding in the cold weather.

I consider myself on target, even though I need to raise my average... I didn't expect to have my mileage up to the proper range early in the year, but I am doing relatively well, specially since I did under 20 miles in January.

This week I did about 80 miles, and to reach my goal, I only have to average 1/2 of that.

Once I start commuting (5 miles a day round trip) and ride 30 or 40 mile weekend rides, and some evening rides, I should do fine.

More than the mileage, my ultimate goal is to lose at least another 50 pounds by the end of the year.

On target for the first month, but have only ridden about 50 miles on MTB's on country rodes in Feb.

BUT, I RAN!! (Dog-trotted, really) 14 miles today on dirt back roads! That was stupid! :eek:

Tyson
Cushing, Oklahoma

I am 67. In 2005, I did 1,800 road miles. For 2006, my goal is 2,200, which is the shortest distance across the U.S. That's 183 miles a month or 46 miles a week. As of Feb. 26, I have 275 miles, which is 75 miles ahead of last year when the winter weather was crummy. We will see.

Dr. Kenneth Cooper, the aerobics guy in Texas, always used to say all you need to do for cardio-vascular health is a minimum of 20 minutes a day, 3 times a week, with your heart rate at 75% of your maximum. Anything you do beyond this, you are doing for some other reason (like weight loss, body toning). Your heart will not be helped by any vigorous exercise beyond this three days a week deal. This was 30 years ago when he said this. Anybody know if it stilll has validity?

As of Feb. 26, I have 275 miles, which is 75 miles ahead of last year when the winter weather was crummy. We will see.

I just do not know what has happened this year. Where I live we do not have extremes of weather- Winter or Summer. True we have had higher temperatures in the summer, but not good weather. This winter has been COLD. Not much snow but prolongued periods of Frosty mornings and temperature staying cold all day. This seems to have gone on since christmas. Then today a temperature of around 38 but with a strong cold wind from Siberia. Ride this morning was just a 30 miler on the road. Did not want to chance freezing up on our exposed hills and riding into a 30mph head wind. Now if the weather improves for cycling- we will have to start getting in our longer offroad rides to get fit enough for the Summer rides.

I'm way ahead of schedule this year due to the moderate winter that we've had. I've got 1,028 miles so far and normally, would be lucky to have 500 or so.

Dr. Kenneth Cooper, the aerobics guy in Texas, always used to say all you need to do for cardio-vascular health is a minimum of 20 minutes a day, 3 times a week, with your heart rate at 75% of your maximum. Anything you do beyond this, you are doing for some other reason (like weight loss, body toning). Your heart will not be helped by any vigorous exercise beyond this three days a week deal. This was 30 years ago when he said this. Anybody know if it stilll has validity?

There are as many answers as authors.

Do a Google.

Ken Kifer said up
to 6 hours per day on a bike!

and another source:

http://familydoctor.org/059.xml


A good goal for many people is to work up to exercising 4 to 6 times a week for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Remember, though, that exercise has so many benefits that any amount is better than none.
I think the 3 days x 20 minutes is sort of a bare minimum for a healthy heart, but is not the minimum for fitness. But, then, who am I to know? :D

I'm at 700ish miles, which is ahead of last year at this time. I rode 6176 last year. I have no plans to try to do that again. But I live in snow country, so one never knows when one can ride.

Since starting on my new BMC on 1 August I've managed 2,488 miles. No specific goal in mind other than more and more. Don't feel right unless I can do at least 35 miles each weekday. Some have posted very impressive miles here!

My goal is 6,000 miles and to date, I am at 750+ which means I am a bit behind. But give the travel and weather, I am quite happy with the distance. I figure that by mid-March, the weather (and daylight) will be more conducive to riding early in the day (my favorite time) and I can get back to the 25-40 miles/day I was doing last fall. Anyway, congrats to everyone for setting some goals and working toward them. And thanks to DnvrFox for bird dogging this project.

Tim

Denver,


I think the 3 days x 20 minutes is sort of a bare minimum for a healthy heart, but is not the minimum for fitness. But, then, who am I to know? :D

I read Cooper's book when it first came out. If you will remember, in those days 3 x 20 minutes was a lot of exercise for middle-class folks over 25 years of age. I have always remembered his research and made it a point to get in my 3 20's every week of my life for about 35 years now. I think my health has always benefited. I have no cardiovascular issues at all.

BUT, you nailed it with your comment. 3 x 20's WON'T make one especially fit and I am proof that that amount of exercise will NOT keep the excess pounds off of you. On the other hand, using that as a absolute minimum base, it never takes me too long to get in the groove and become truly fit. I'm on about a 4-5 year roll now of being very fit. I owe some of that to Cooper's original research and the encouragement it has given me over the years.

Tyson

Great job tyson.

I don't have a mileage goal, I have an activity goal. Last year I got in 110 rides, this year I want to top 150 rides. I'm doing good on that goal. The nicer weather helps. By the end of last Feb I had one ride. Whoopie dooosie. This year I have 19 rides in so far and I'm planning on adding a Sat am ride. I was going to ride last weekend, but passed as I forgot I had some work commitments that required immediate attention.

I keep track of mileage just for inspirition, but goals are only 2: 1_ increase number of days that I ride by at least 50%, and 2__ strive to ride at least 3 days a week for cardio benefit.

Zero miles so far this year. But I am a fair weather biker so I'm waiting for the temp to at least rise above 50 (It has gotten above 50 here in Michigan, but only when the winds are 40mph+).

Will try to improve on 2,100 from last year.

Are you guys for real?

Are those numbers what you wish you could ride this year?

I'm thinking I joined the wrong group here. If I get to ride every weekend I figured that would be great. My big goal is to do a 40 mile ride on a bike trail. Maybe it is because I am just starting out, but it seems like your goals are for the pros.

Paul Sr.
Nomadrider

I'm sitting at about 450 for the year so far. My goal is 3,500+ for the year depending on my motivation. Right now I'm very motivated...I'll be riding Bikerpelli in May!

Are you guys for real?

Are those numbers what you wish you could ride this year?

I'm thinking I joined the wrong group here. If I get to ride every weekend I figured that would be great. My big goal is to do a 40 mile ride on a bike trail. Maybe it is because I am just starting out, but it seems like your goals are for the pros.

Paul Sr.
Nomadrider

I don't know, Paul Sr, 40 miles on a bike trail is a very good ride. Do you plan to do it only once? Or once a month? or every weekend (that would be 2,000 miles a year). Anyway the folks who set goals for themselves just like the challenge. The majority of people on the 50+ forum don't bother to count miles, they just enjoy riding. You are in the right place if you like to ride and want to chat with folks who share your passion.

Tim

Are you guys for real?

Are those numbers what you wish you could ride this year?

I'm thinking I joined the wrong group here. If I get to ride every weekend I figured that would be great. My big goal is to do a 40 mile ride on a bike trail. Maybe it is because I am just starting out, but it seems like your goals are for the pros.

Paul Sr.
Nomadrider

Nomadrider,

Last year at this time, a five mile bike ride would have seemed beyond me. Personally, I'm all for cyclists whether they ride 3 or 100 miles on a ride. To me, it's just cool being out there. So, I don't think you are at the wrong forum. Remember, there are all sorts around here. If you ride a bike, you belong.

Are you guys for real?

Are those numbers what you wish you could ride this year?

I'm thinking I joined the wrong group here. If I get to ride every weekend I figured that would be great. My big goal is to do a 40 mile ride on a bike trail. Maybe it is because I am just starting out, but it seems like your goals are for the pros.

Paul Sr.
Nomadrider

Welcome

You are replying to a thread which has as it specific purpose recording mileage. Therefore, you are going to get mileage geeks!

If you do get to a 40 mile one day ride, you will be amazed at the number of miles you will have accumulated in training to so do! They add up fast.

================================================================

BTW, I just hit 833 for January and February.

While riding, I got passed by a youngun riding a Trek 2300 with a Postal jersey.

Anyway, that Trek was making the most gosh awful chain noise. So, I put the power to the pedal, caught up with him, and got him stopped. I carry a bit of lubricant with me and we got that chain oiled up nice, and he was on his way, nice and quiet. Yes, he was faster than I, but it was nice to know I could catch him when I wanted.

I HATE chain noise. My bikes have to be absoultely silent except for the tire noise hitting the pavement.

(And I just noticed I got tattooed today - that hardly ever happens to me!)

Nomadrider,

Last year at this time, a five mile bike ride would have seemed beyond me. Personally, I'm all for cyclists whether they ride 3 or 100 miles on a ride. To me, it's just cool being out there. So, I don't think you are at the wrong forum. Remember, there are all sorts around here. If you ride a bike, you belong.


+1 -- but then, Keith and I are twins who were separated at birth.

Or, we are the same person with multiple-personality disorder.

880 miles with a goal of 5,000. Since the rainy season( Southern California) will be over in about 3 weeks I can see me blowing past the 5k mark if all goes well.

700. Ahead of last year. Goal = 5400 (100 miles for every year on the planet). Baring something unusual, I will make the goal; did 5130 last year.

Rocky I love your goal..can I borrow it? 5600 would be a challenge but doable!!!

Rocky I love your goal..can I borrow it? 5600 would be a challenge but doable!!!
Go for it!!! If I lived in SoCal I might even do more but the hours on the trainer are soooooo boooooring!

I was averaging around 5000 miles a year and then got it into me that I wanted to 10k miles (6200+ miles). I achieved that and kept going. Last year I went over 9000 miles. Thus far this year I am over 1400... my goal would be to do a little better than last year. I have 'penciled in' 10,000 miles for the year... It adds up quickly with a 46 mie round trip commute and longer rides on the weekends... also am planning to do the randoneering (sp?) thing this year, so it should boos tht e milage considerably. At any rate, the most important thing is that I keep enjoying it.... as long as I do, I will keep doing it. I mix up my bikes, so it's not always the same one. My commuter of choice is a fixie-- and I do get into the woods on a mountain bike every couple of weeks or so. I HATE riding a trainer, and don't. If I did, those miles wouldn't go into the log as biking miles, but as miscellaneous...

train safe-

50+'rs - How are you doing on your mileage or kilometerage? goals?

For those of you who set and like mileage or kilometerage goals for this year, how are you doing?

I am at 745 miles as of this morning (2/25/2006), and my goal for the year is 4,250. This includes my indoor trainer miles. I do believe I will make my goal, as the outside riding season hasn't really gotten into gear around here yet.

So, how are the rest of you mileage freaks doing?

Hi Denver,
My Summer goals are achieved, ie, 40 miles a day for 60 days (today being the 60th day of 2006, and 1,000ft per day of hills.

I am slightly ahead of that target with 2476 miles and 62,000 ft alt.
No problems with gear or body.

Now entering a different (autumn** schedule which will not be as intensive.

Feel in great shape (especially breath control on hills).

Bikes are the way to go!

Cheers

Well, since everyone who has responded has done unbelieveable miles, I waited until I could report at least 1000.

As of this morning's ride, I'm at 1002.

I just moved south from New England, and needless to say, wouldn't be at 1000+ if I were still up there.

Now at 900, all road. I don't think trainer miles count as you are not propelling body weight as in road riding. But that's only IMHO and I'm sure there has been previous discussion on this that I haven't seen.

It's all good! :)

Trainer miles count! ;)

If they didn't, then any miles you accrued on the road going downhill wouldn't count either. Neither would miles with a tail wind. Or miles drafting another rider. Or miles where you were coasting after a hard effort.

There are interminable, never-ending, never concluding discussions on this at BikeJournals.com and other forums - as bad as a helmet war.

Do what you want for your own purposes is the only good answer. That is what I do! I am not competing with anyone but myself - and in the way I want to compete. Hey, I always win!

Since this is the last day of summer time in New Zealand and the weather has been glorious since I wrote previously, I have continued to tootle on with my gentle cycling routine.
So after 77 days it adds up to 3201 miles and 80700 ft.

I hope to ride my age on my birthday in wintry July (68 miles - so it gets tougher as you get older).
Any centennarian cyclists out there?

FWIW General use polyester clothing is cheap and adequate so I haven't used any cycling specific clothing other than shoes, gloves and helmet (no chamois shorts either).
The bikes are nothing special. All have toe clips and straps. All are downtube friction or thumb shifters after a brifter died with a broken pawl spring and I retro fitted down tube gear instead. One is a 1959 relic and the other two are cast off/hand-me-downs. The roadie is a stiff SWB alloy framed bike, and the MTB is a heavy steel 35 pound fitness bike.
I enjoy them all.



Just glad to be able to report that regular cycling has got me into a nice physical condition for my age.

Cheers

PS When I get a bit older I may try clipless.

Does metric centennarian count??? :)

Only if you give you heart rate in metric terms