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How Long Does It Take to Bike 20 Miles?


Written by Gary Johnson / Fact checked by Henry Speciale

How long does it take to bike 20 miles

Cycling is a long-term hobby that anyone can try. It keeps you entertained and makes you fit and healthy. It is a great outdoor activity where you can keep track of your progress by the hour or mile.

Of course, it is an incredible achievement if you can reach a 20-mile distance in just a matter of time. But this milestone cannot be achieved right away, especially if you are a beginner. It requires stamina, discipline, and commitment in cycling.

Yet, how long does it take to bike 20 miles? On average, it will take you an hour and forty minutes to finish a 20-mile biking distance. Of course, this is possible if you have a healthy physique, reliable bike, and average terrain. To understand these factors fully, read our guide below.

Is It Hard for a Beginner to Complete a 20-Miles Distance

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Not everything comes easy for a beginner, especially in sports. You will need to have discipline, commitment, and strength to complete a full-scale 20-mile distance. As said earlier, you cannot expect to get to 20-miles in more than an hour instantly without consistent practice and preparation.

Even if you are a teenager in your prime, 20-miles can be a big deal without your physical health in check. This means that you must be physically active. You should be regularly engaged in activities that work your body. If you follow routined workouts, walk to work, and run from time to time, a 20-mile ride will not be that hard.

On the other side, if you have been a couch potato for a very long time, and you want to engage in a new hobby – biking, a 20-mile distance can be challenging. It means your body is not ready to abruptly engage in a very dynamic activity.

You will initially feel challenged and strained when you hit the road. Your body will feel stressed and exhausted if you force yourself to complete 20 miles immediately. Hitting the road for the first time means constant practice, gradual improvement, and building of endurance and stamina. It will take some time to make a 20-mile distance one easy ride.

What are the Factors to Consider When Hitting a 20-Mile Ride

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Health and fitness level

As mentioned a while ago, your fitness level is very crucial when hitting the road. It will determine whether you will be able to complete a 20-mile ride for one hour and forty minutes fast and easy.

If you are a beginner with an active lifestyle, you can expect that you will not immediately reach this goal without preparation. It will take you more than one hour and forty minutes to finish the distance. You will take time off, rest, and gather strength during the ride. It is entirely normal to reach 20 miles below the expected time.

On the other side, if you are a beginner without an active lifestyle, even a 10-mile ride will be a struggle. It is a real challenge if you are not physically fit when you hit the road the first time. A 10-mile distance will even take you more than an hour to complete.

If you have been practicing and can ride on a bike several times, the 20-mile distance will not be just as hard. You can maintain an average of 17mph once you already built your biking routine.

Of course, the speed will continually improve if your body has completely adjusted to your new lifestyle. With constant practice, you can take the 20-mile distance in an hour.

Bike use

More than your physical condition and health, the kind of bike you use is another factor to consider when biking. Some bikes can help you speed up your ride, while some can be a burden to your routine.

If you are using an electric bike, it will only take about thirty minutes to hit the goal. An electric bike is not only fast and easy to ride but will help you save your energy, too. Aside from the vitality; you exert in biking. The motor and power of an electric bike can increase the speed during your ride.

On the other hand, hybrid and mountain bikes can slow you down by 2-6mph. These figures are very significant, so you will need to take some time to decide what bike to use when riding.

If you are looking for the ideal bike type for your everyday use without compromising your speed, road bikes are the best. You can use them on flat surfaces and hilly terrains.

Road bikes are also lightweight giving you more flexibility when riding. With road bikes, a 20-mile ride is not as challenging, and you will not put too much effort into hitting the pedal. They are smoother to use while running faster compared to hybrid and mountain bikes.

Terrain and road

Another factor that may hinder you from reaching the 20-mile fast and easy is the road you are taking. Of course, a flat and smooth terrain will not pose any challenge for you. You can use your regular speed and save more energy when on flat terrain.

You and your bike will not strain when you are hitting a smooth and unchallenging road. It will only take you a very short time to reach the 20-miles distance at an average speed.

On the other hand, when you are on hilly, rough, and heavy terrain, expect that you will put in more effort in biking. You will change gear from time to time, put more energy into the pedal, and significantly reduce your speed.

Hilly and heavy terrains are not only hard to traverse but take longer to finish, as well. There is a gravity that will pull you to decrease speed while forcing you to put more energy and power. Your bike will force itself to deliver the full capacity and performance.

Weather conditions

Lastly, another factor to consider is the weather conditions. Weather conditions can ultimately affect your speed and performance when on the road. Rainy days can be a bit more challenging than summers. There is a risk of getting in an accident during these days.

Bikers are more calculated in rainy seasons compared to summers. It is a bit tougher to control your bike when it can get soaked up in the rain. Moreover, you would prefer using mountain bikes or hybrid bikes during these days. These types of bikes have greater friction that can prevent you from getting in a road accident.

Another factor that can add up to a reduced speed when biking is the wind. If you are going out of the direction of the wind, you will notice that you get slower when biking. The wind will pull you back, and there is more pressure staying forward, too.

Conclusion

Hitting a 20-mile bike ride may seem easy. But you have to consider various factors before you finally achieve this kind of milestone. If you are a beginner, it takes some practice, adjustment, and exercise to reach 20 miles in just one hour and forty minutes.

Moreover, you need to consider the terrain, the bike you are using, the weather, and your overall health before reaching your first 20-mile target. Hopefully, the things we mentioned above will be able to help you reach your goal.

Next, if you have something in mind, we love to hear your thoughts. So, do not hesitate to comment below for additional insights and suggestions. Also, if you find this article helpful, you are very much welcome to like and share.

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