Here’s a fun question with a surprising answer. How far can the average cyclist ride, based on their age? So many variables determine the answer: Your fitness level and experience, and whether the route is a calligraphy of rolling hills or pancake flat. Are you riding alone or in a fast paceline of cyclists? Turns out your age is also an important indicator, according to several popular cycling apps. And the their data reveals that older riders are putting in more miles than almost anyone else.
Our fitness and training editor Monique Lebron and all-around ride expert Bill Strickland discuss how you can use average cycling distance to calibrate your own ride goals, and what Monique learned while researching her popular story The Average Cycling Distance by Age, According to Popular Cycling Apps . In it she shows how far each age group of cyclist is riding. And she gives you some great tips on how you can make sure you make it to the end of your ride, no matter the distance. (One of them, to get a pro bike fit, is a surefire way to make every mile feel more comfortable.)
Curious about how fast your peers are riding? Monique offers some benchmarks for average cycling speed, too. Her advice and recommendations will help you assess your own fitness and have a more enjoyable ride. And if you’re wondering whether your heart is keeping up with your legs, check out this guide to understanding your average resting heart rate.
We’d love to know what your average ride distance is? And how do you gauge whether a new group ride is going to be too far, or the right speed. Let us know in the comments below!
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Louis Mazzante is the Test Director at Hearst’s Enthusiast Group, overseeing product testing and expert reviews at Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, and Bicycling; he has more than 20 years of experience testing bikes, skis, cars, tools, and cool gadgets—and he is always searching for new gear that looks good, solves problems, and has a fair price. Prior to his current role, he wrote for or led several product-focused consumer and trade magazines. He’s a former ski instructor, bike racer, trail builder, and, thanks to the demands of a 2005 Nissan X-Terra with 208k+ miles, amateur car mechanic.