Miles benchmark
 

Hi guys I've been riding for over a week now and I was wondering what is a good bench mark of miles to push for weekly?

Week 1 I rode 45 miles in 5 days
This week after 2 days I've rode for 24 miles...

Working at getting stronger I would like to get to an average of 15-20miles a ride 5 days a week...

Appreciate your input...

Whatever doesn't hurt you too much. Hurting some is fine, too much is bad.

^ I use my warm up to quantify the above. I'll spin some and stand some using a low gear for ~2 miles. If my legs are hurting, not just sore but hurting, after my warm up it means I went too hard the day before.

a little soreness is a good thing. if it's distance you want, then work on maintaining an average pace. as time goes by you'll realize that most big benchmarks are more in your mind than in your legs. if you can maintain just 15 mph average, then long rides will happen for you quickly. be sure to increase your water and nutrition intake as you lengthen your rides. before you know it, a metric century (100 meters/62.2 miles) will be a regular occurrence.

just remember, don't go out so far that you can't get back.

QThank you yes I've been working on my pace, have it up to 12.5mph on my longest 16mile ride... I know that is low but I am just starting out..

I remember when I started out I would do approx 28-mile rides and that was plenty. Three years later a 40-mile ride is about the minimum I do (time constraints) and I prefer to do 50-65 miles whenever possible. You get used to longer distances pretty quickly.

there's no such thing as low. you're either moving or not moving. you're not sitting on the couch with a value meal. you're doing great. each time you go a little farther and/or a little faster will feel like a reward. and it should.

The general rule of thumb is that a beginner should be able to increase either distance or speed by about 10% per week for at least a few months. You'll see the quickest improvement if you arrange your rides so that you have a hard (for you) ride one day and either a really easy ride or complete rest the next.

A 25 mile ride should be within range soon if not already. Since you asked about a goal to reach for, I'd say try to get at least four 25 mile rides a week. If you get a 5th one great. In time, 25 mile rides will feel like a warm up.