How long does it take to bike 10 miles?
If you have been writing for any amount of time whether you are commuting, riding for leisure, or going on a bike tour, you have probably asked just how much it takes to ride 10 miles.
As for me, it took about an hour to average about 10.5 miles on a rickety old mountain bike. Still, it is important to remember that the time it would take for each rider would be different depending on factors such as fitness, terrain, weather, and type of bike ridden.
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How Long Does It Take to Bike 10 Miles
The average beginner can usually take about 45 minutes to complete a 10-mile ride as they will usually go at between 8-12 mph while more experienced cyclists will usually ride the 10 miles in about 30 minutes.
Pro cyclists can go even faster with Cyclingweekly estimating that the record for the fasted ten-mile ride is at just under 16 minutes.
Over time, the average speed will increase as the cyclist gets fitter, and hence the time to ride 10 miles will start dropping. When it comes to training to improve average speed, it is usually advisable to cycle at a speed that can be sustained for a long time.
Over time, the cyclist will get faster and so will the time is taken to ride the 10 miles. For instance, if you aimed at cycling 10 miles in half an hour, a cyclist would need to go at an average speed of about 20 mph.
However, newer cyclists usually have to take into account that there are factors that impact efficiency and speed on the bike.
Factors that Impact Riding Time
There are many factors that will impact the riding time for a mile, but the most important factors include:
Type of Bike
This is not something that people would take into account unless they are an avid biker. However, the bike that you ride has a significant impact on how long it would take to ride 10 miles. Moreover, the type of bike will also determine how comfortable the ride will be which can impact the speed.
Road bikes are the fastest bikes that you can ride which can help you complete the 10 miles in the shortest time. Their aerodynamic and lightweight frames and range of gears and riding position make it easier to attain high speed on flats and inclines.
Mountain bikes can never be as fast as road bikes, particularly on flats. Nonetheless, they tend to be more comfortable and versatile which means they can be ridden on more diverse surfaces. However, the reduced aerodynamics and extra weight of the bike will make these bikes slower over the 10-mile ride.
Hybrid bikes are a combination of mountain and road bikes and hence are easy to ride on paved roads and in selected offroad conditions. For this reason, the time taken on such bikes will be between that of the road bike and the mountain bike.
Fitness Levels
In most instances, fitness will be the most important factor that determines how long it takes to bike 10 miles. How much time you take will depend on how often you bike, the average distances you usually bike, and how active you are in everyday life.
Beginners or people who have not developed stamina or endurance might not attain high speeds or ride long distances. However, by regularly riding their bike, they can improve their stamina and power and over time be able to reduce the time taken to complete the 10-mile ride.
The Weather
While no one is biking in the middle of a hurricane, it is obvious that biking in bad weather will significantly slow you down. If you are riding in the rain, the wind, or in extreme heat you are likely to be slower as opposed to riding on a warm and bright sunny day with some moderate temperatures.
If you ride in wet and windy conditions you will be more likely to fall, hence you will be more careful which means you will be overall slower.
The Terrain
The terrain on which you are riding your bike can play a significant role in the speed and time take to bike 10 miles. For instance, biking across ice and gravel is harder than if you were riding on paved surfaces.
Riding on surfaces with slippery surfaces means you have to be more reserved or ride slower to compensate and reduce the danger of falling. The same can be said of riding in cities where commuters have to ride slower due to traffic lights or construction zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Biking 10 Miles in 40 Minutes Good?
10 miles is a very good goal especially if you are a beginner looking to have a reasonable starting point on which you can track your improvement over time.
While it takes an hour for a beginner, you should be looking to reduce the time taken from an hour to 40 minutes. Once you can bike the 10 miles in 40 minutes you should be in great shape as a rider.
Is Biking 10 Miles a Good Workout?
A 10-mile bike ride for many is a low-impact exercise given that cycling on its own is cardio rather than a weight-bearing exercise. However, cycling is no mean feat, and riding your bike for 10 miles is a very good workout that will put you on the way to living a very healthy lifestyle.
Check out how long it takes to bike 2 miles here
