My typical quick ride before getting ready for work is 15 miles or so out of town and back. I do this on my old heavy MTB. Today, I was 5 miles or so out of town and the front derailleur cable broke at the shifter leaving me in the little ring. Spun like hell coming back to manage about 14MPH.
I shouldn't complain. I put new cables on about 4 years ago and have put quite a few miles on that bike since.