Biking is one of the most enjoyable exercises that you can do. It is a really amazing thing for pretty much everyone. If you are new to this sport or just starting out, there is a time when you will start to ride long distances.
It is really important to have an idea of how long will it take to cover say like 20 miles. So, in reality, how long does it take to bike 20 miles? There are a lot of different factors involved but if you consider ideal conditions, then it should take you somewhere around an hour and a half.
Calculating the time, it will take you to cover a certain distance on a bike is important as different people have other life constraints as well. It might be that you have to get to work after biking so it is a good practice to know how much time you have. Similarly, your bike riding can also act as a commute to you as well. So, it is a good practice to have an idea of the time it will take you to travel a certain distance.
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Biking 20 Miles:
If you are doing biking for fitness then 20 miles is a good distance. You can push your body pretty hard and thus develop more stamina and endurance. But for beginners, covering 20 miles in a day is nearly impossible as they won’t have the endurance to bike for such a long distance. Beginners should take it slow and start with 5 miles and then go on from there. There is no point in rushing towards 20 miles and harm your health. After you’ve comfortable with longer distances, you can push for 20 miles.
There are so many health benefits that you get from biking that is why so many people love this sport. The time that it can take you to cover a distance of 20 miles varies from person to person. There are a lot of factors that contribute to the time taken to complete 20 miles. A professional cyclist can cover 20 miles in less than an hour but for a beginner, it will take about 2 hours.
Using Google Maps:
Applications like Google Maps can provide you with a good estimation of how much time will it take you to cover a distance. But you have to be always cautious as that estimation is just a prediction and won’t be the same in real life. One good thing about doing this is that it will provide you with a good indication of time which you help you in planning the given estimate.
Fitness Level:
The main question is how often do you take your bike for a ride? If you are a regular cyclist then that will provide you with a big advantage over a person that is new to cycling. Your mind will already be stable to the upcoming hurdles and you will also be able to judge the time it will take you to cover a certain distance. If you consistently bike more and more miles, then this routine will make you more efficient and thus it will be easier for you to bike a long distance.
Is this the first time you’re riding a distance of 20 miles? If you a beginner and have never done more than 10 miles then it will be a lot harder for you to cover 20 miles as you are not mentally prepared for such a long ride. If you are aware of the average speed that it takes you in your runs then you will be able to determine the time. So, if you are riding at a speed of about 20 mph only then you can complete 20 miles in under an hour which is not an easy task.
Depending upon the fitness level of the person, the time taken to complete a certain distance can vary a lot. Beginners should never try to go a distance of 20 miles at the start. They should take things a bit slowly and steadily. But if you are a beginner and have good health and fitness levels, then you can try to squeeze as much distance as you can.
The Route:
The route that you will be riding on makes a massive amount of difference in the time that it will you to cover a distance. Are there any straight roads? Is the area hilly and with lots of rough terrains? Rough surfaces can also present you with flat tires as well so you should also be prepared for that. You should always go out with a proper repair kit as well. Flat tires are a very common thing when riding in hilly areas. If the tires flats out in the middle of nowhere and you don’t have any repair kit, then you are pretty much screwed.
Is the road smooth? Will there be a lot of traffic along the way? These factors will also affect the time that it will take you to cover the 20 miles. If there are hills on the way then your time will drastically increase as it will take a lot of effort to go through the hills. Navigating through uneven terrains is always really difficult and is heavily taxing on the body as well. If the road is very busy then you will also see a massive increase in the time that it takes you to reach your destination.
Bike Type:
The most important factor that will affect your speed is your own bicycle. Is it a mountain bike or a road one? Which type of tires does it have? These things account for the massive increase/decrease in speed when bike riding. The type of surface you are traveling on will determine the type of bike and tires you will use. If you are riding on a smooth road surface then there is no point in using a mountain bike as it will only slow you down with its bigger tires.
When riding on smooth rides, you should always prefer road bikes as those will provide you with the fastest speed possible. Smaller tires will roll more quickly on a smooth surface when compared to larger tires. Road bikes also come with higher gears in order to provide better top speed.
Mountain Bikes on the other hand are suited for rough terrains such as hills. If you already know that you will be going through hilly areas then you shouldn’t use a road bike at all. A mountain bike is the best option in this kind of situation if you want to reach your destination quickly. The larger tires combined with low gears help to go through the uneven surfaces.
Knowing your Route:
From the above argument, it is necessary that you already know the route you will be traveling in advance. If you don’t know the route, you won’t be able to pick the right kind of bicycle for that particular route. Let’s say that the route you will be traveling on just consists of a smooth surface and you opt for a mountain bike then you won’t get the best time out of your run. Because smooth surfaces are better suited for a road bike.
So, the best thing that you can do is to first learn about the route that you will be traveling on. You can simply check on the maps and then you will be able to able to make a better decision on which type of bike will be suited best for that route.
Bike Size:
Does your body fit comfortably on the bike? This is a very serious thing that most people just neglect and in return, it can cost them a lot. You always need to make sure that you pick the right bike for your body. If the size isn’t right for you then you won’t be able to get a comfortable ride. If you have the perfect bike size then you will be comfortable in riding and it will also help you in avoiding injuries as well.
Well choosing the right bike size isn’t that simple. You should know about the correct frame size. Knowing your height isn’t the simple answer to this problem. If the fit isn’t good then you will have to face problems like wrist pain, more fatigue which in turn can result in more crashes. So, choosing the right bike size will also help you in optimizing the time it will take you to travel 20 miles.
Weather Conditions:
Is it stormy outside? What is the current temperature? These are some of the questions that you should have in your mind as different weather conditions can drastically affect the time it will take you to bike 20 miles. If there is rain outside and the road is wet then it will take you quite a long time to cover such a huge distance. If the weather the sunny, you can easily reach your top speed and cover the distance in no time.
Similarly, if it is too hot outside, you will get more fatigue thus slowing your ride. In that case, you will need better hydration in order to remain on the route. If there is snow falling outside, then there is no point in going bike riding as your bike will probably slip along the way.
It’s Better to be Safe than Sorry:
You should never take your life for granted and that is why there is no point in going bike riding when there is rough weather. You will only put your life at risk. If there has been a massive rain shower then it is not advisable to go on a bike ride. Safety is the first thing that you should keep in your mind. The wet road can cause your bike to slip which can result in serious injuries. So, if you know that the weather is not going to be pleasant today, then it is better to sit it out.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should always have proper safety gear with yourself. When riding for long distances like 20 miles, you should have a helmet and padding on your elbows and legs. You should always be prepared for the worst.
Rest Breaks:
If you are a beginner, then you will definitely need some rest breaks when biking for 20 miles. These rest breaks can be just for taking a breath of fresh air or just regular water breaks. If you take too many rest breaks then your time to bike 20 miles will also increase as well. So, if you want to keep that time to a minimum, plan your route smartly and only take a few rest breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)
Is a 20-mile bike ride long?
If you a beginner then you will feel that a 20-mile bike ride is long. But once your body adjusts to the distance, you won’t feel it that much.
Is 20 miles in an hour on a bike good?
Yes, 20 miles in an hour on a bike is good enough. It is not that hard to achieve once you get yourself adjusted and practice a lot. You can also try to go for higher speed as well.
Can a beginner bike 20 miles?
Yes, a beginner can bike 20 miles if he gives it some time. If the road is smooth and you do 10 miles/hour then you should be able to do 20 miles easily.
What is a good pace for a 20-mile bike ride?
A 17 miles/hour speed is a good place for a 20-mile bike run. It will take you about 100 minutes to complete the run. You can also try for 20 miles/hour if you are fit and complete the run in under an hour.
Is biking 20 miles a day too much?
If you’re a beginner then yes biking 20 miles a day will be too much for you. You need to give your body some time to get adjusted. If you are a long-term cyclist, then 20 miles/day isn’t that much.
Conclusion:
How long does it take you to bike 20 miles? Is it 60 minutes, 100 minutes, or even more? This time varies from person to person. If you want to improve your time then you can work upon the things that we have mentioned above. The terrain, bike size, weather, all of these conditions will affect the time that will take you to cover 20 miles. You should never forget to have fun on your rides. Don’t compare yourself with others as you will get better. Just be consistent in your riding.
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