skandal20

So as a couple of you know, I bought my first road bike this week. Its a Bianchi Eros and I have been going on daily rides. Well Im pushing myself a little harder each time and I was just wondering if 30 miles is a decent length ride for a beginner? I know its all subjective to the rider, but just a vague opinion would be nice. Thanks.

pedex

30 miles for a week, or first day? Depends on what kind of shape your in too, some folks cant even do 5 miles first time out.

jschen

Depends on how good a shape you're in. My first ride was 5 miles, and it took me 30 minutes. And climbing stairs was painful for the rest of the day. But I had fun and kept at it. If you can ride 30 miles comfortably, that's a great start. And if not, it's no big deal. 30 miles will be enjoyable soon enough if you just keep at it.

ManBearPig

My first ride a few years ago was at dusk, after I had brought the new ride home. I had spent so much time mountain biking when I was younger, but it had been a few years since my last ride. So I was disappointed that just riding up and down the block a few times on a roadbike was a chore! Your first week's mileage is pretty meaningless, in terms of predicting where you will be in the coming months and years.

Ostuni

vague opinion: the important thing is that you are riding. keep at it and your weekly mileage will increase steadily. eventually you might get to the point where there is not enough time (and daylight) to do the miles you want to do....

congrats on the bike. enjoy!

skandal20

Thanks for the replies. That would be 30 miles or so on my 3rd real ride. I did 16miles down to Sausalito and back (I live in SF) the other day pretty easily. I just cant seem to get enough riding. Although my ass is a little sore...

skandal20

Sorry that didnt clarify, 30 miles on one ride.

garysol1 

your body will tell you when enough is enough. Listen to what it says. Do take a day off from time to time. Don't over do it till you have a solid base of maybe 1,000 miles built up. Take it slow and steady.

Inverted

I'm still relatively (very) new to the sport. First ride I did was 10 miles, got the first ride butt soreness out of the way, then I did a few 20 mile rides until I got comfortable both on the bike and in riding with traffic. Now I'm doing 30 mi a day, but unfortunately muscle fatigue made me take a day off.

Like I said, since I'm still new to the sport, the prospective and general scale for things hasn't quite set in. 30 mi is one hell of a distance by any means, but I'm beginning to think more and more that it isn't the distance, but the effort you put into it vs. the shape that you're in.

I know the temptation is to do too much too fast- I'm fighting it like I'm sure you are- but the last thing you want to do is overextend yourself. The mileage will come, as will the strength and endurance, just give it time and like the guy above me said, establish a strong base first and foremost.

skandal20

Thanks for the advice guys. Yeah, I'm definitely still working on the riding in traffic aspect. Especially riding around SF. But like anything, it will just come in time.

bluecd

i started out the same way a year ago. 15 miles the first 4-5 rides. then when by butt wasnt saddle sore anymore i jumped it up to 20. i rode 20 for a couple/few weeks then jumped it up to 25. i rode 25 a couple weeks and jumped it up to 30. i stayed at 30 until june of this year. in july i went up to 36 with a few longer rides (40, 42, 46) thrown in once a week. since august ive been doing 47 dailey with a few 50s, 62s and one 70. im staying at 47 dailey for the rest of this riding season with a few longer rides here & there until it gets too cold to go out.

i guess jumping from 16 to 30 can be done but based on my personal experiences, things (butt, hands, tricepts, lower back) will be sore towards the end of the ride.

jschen

skandal20, your mileage for your first few rides is impressive. Just make sure you don't push so hard that you stop having fun. And the advice to make sure to an occassional day off is good advice.

skandal20

Must be expensive to ride all those miles and keep your muscle mass huh? As far as affording groceries hehe. I know I spend tons as it is and Im definitely not riding 47 a day.

Huffer

That's pretty good mileage! My first rides last year were 6 to 10 miles. After a while I had a route that was 14 miles or so, and most of this year I've been doing a 25-mile route 3 or 4 times a week.

Time is my limiting factor. My non-cyclist spouse and my 1 year-old don't understand why I need to be gone for more than 90 minutes. In 5 or 6 years when my daughter can go too, I won't be counting miles, but just the minutes together. In the meantime, whatever I can squeeze out is better than watching TV or surfing the forums.

bluecd

well im 43 and retaining body mass isnt a problem. losing it is my goal. i watched a video of myself at the beach this year in july and wasnt proud of what i saw. i stepped up the riding when i got back from the beach in an effort to regain my old fighting form and have since gone from 220 to 196. 180 is my goal. i tried to cut calories but it made riding brutal so instead i try to make better food choices & ride longer/farther.

skandal20

Wow congrats. Im 20 and I find it hard enough to keep my diet in check, but I think ive found what works for me. Oatmeal, Chicken Breast, Spinach, Mixed Veggies, Whey Protein, and Peanut Butter are the staples in my diet. I look forward to the day of a nice big ride so I can indulge a bit.

Duke of Kent

Oddly enough, my first week was more than 250 miles. That may seem like a lot to start out with, but I had been running 70+ a week before that, and riding my old beater mountain bike 5 miles each way to work every day VERY hard (due to my tendency to hit the snooze button).

My advice to you would be to monitor your mileage and average speed, and record those. If your goal is to race in the spring/summer, get in LOTS of base mileage this winter; hit the roads when they're dry and its warm enough for you, otherwise, rollers and trainer. Maintain a good average speed, but never really get to your LT on steady state base days. On days when you plan on doing that, throw in some longer repeats. From what I hear, 3x15 or 4X20 at a pace you can hold for that long, plus a little more if you had to. Not ALL OUT, but knowing you have a little more in the tank. Also, some very short sprints, i.e. to top speed and then coast. Faster, all out intervals come in the spring and summer as you get fitter and into the wonderful "race shape."

If possible, join a team. You will get far better advice than I can provide by asking the local gnarly old 40+ racer. Those guys are the best and will be very helpful. One of the guys I love riding with is 3x my age; he respects willingness to learn and natural ability, and I respect his knowledge of the sport and the fact that he can give me a run for my money at age 64. Cyclists are an interesting group: we are seemingly somewhat unfriendly at first; everyone wants to get a measure of the "newb". Once they get to know you, their guard drops and everyone is nice.

Once you can handle your bike and have an "engine", hit the fast local group rides. You might get dropped, you might not. You'll get a hell of a lot stronger either way. And RACE as much as possible. Crits are nice, but road races are for the big boys.