Q-
Acceptable ride distance for a newbie
A-
How ever far the newbie wants to ride
Everybody starts somewhere. You're doing just fine if you're enjoying yourself during and after the ride. You can add the extra 10% as mentioned or push until you can't pedal another rotation. Riding by yourself means you have the air resistance to overcome at all times whereas riding behind another person or a group, gives you the opportunity of having someone in front of you making a hole in that invisible wall thus reducing your pedaling effort and possibly increasing that comfortable riding distance without extra effort. Do what feels good.
Originally Posted by
jdotconnor
I'm new also. My first ride was July 10th doing a very lazy but rolling hills 10 mile ride with another newbie and an experienced rider on an introductory ride. As a stay at home dad I can only get out twice a week and am thinking of a trainer for my 7 month olds nap time. Im currently doing 10-17 mile mid-week solo ride and a 26-30 mile weekend group ride. I use Strava (I'm a huge stats guy and keep all kinds of numbers for my golf game) but only to see how I am improving compared to myself and don't watch numbers while riding. I love seeing how not only am I riding faster but also have more energy when I get home despite the ride and am not sore the next day even if I pushed myself in the moment.
Great day to start since it was my 65th Bday. Keeping tract of those stats can be addictive and rewarding and/or depressing.
Just keep it fun!