Recreational & Family - Cycled 26 miles yesterday...

I occasionally ride my bike about 11 miles once a month, my fitness level is ok, I walked just a little over that distance and I was extremely tired. For some reason though, I decided to cycle 26 miles, I did it in roughly 2.5 hours. Is this good for someone who goes on their bike once a month and doesn't exercise? Also, there are some pretty big hills and I rode on a hybrid bike.

Congratulations! Any personal best is a good thing, especially when you're able to double your mileage.

I try to ride regularly. When I can I try to do two or thre "serious" bike rides a week and one or two family rides. Inhale been doing this off and on for a couple of years and rarely break 20 miles. It is quite hilly where I live and I just can't seem to break the fitness barrier to get "in shape" on the road. On a bike path? Fugedaboudit! Too flat and boring to hold myinterest that long ( although "making it" isn't terribly hard.

Congratulations! Any personal best is a good thing, especially when you're able to double your mileage.
I agree that it's more important that you feel you made a strong effort, rather than to benchmark off a random standard. If you can drive yourself to go harder, farther, and longer, you'll see gains in fitness.

That being said, a 10.5mph average would probably be considered a leisurely pace, even for hilly terrain. Yet, I think that was probably a good pace for a first, extended ride. Next time out, you can benchmark off that and have fun challenging yourself to bring that average up.

Ride as far and as fast as you want without worrying about speed or distance. When I started trying to track my speed and distance riding wasn't as much fun as just going out for a ride. Took a while to get back to where I didn't worry about them anymore.

I think you did great! Just Enjoy :)

26 miles in 2.5 hours for someone who doesn't ride that much is a pretty respectable pace- a little over 10 miles an hour, and you probably had a few stops along the way. I typically average around 13 (no, I'm no racer), so 10 is pretty good.

well done sir! ... now do it again! ;)