There are two easy ways to observe growth in cycling: speed and the distance you can travel. A length of 25 miles is challenging but requires effort and willpower to overcome for most. But how long does it take to bike 25 miles?
The time to clear this distance varies between people, but the average would be around 2 hours. It helps to know this figure to compare our performance to the standard, especially when we’re looking to improve ourselves.
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Cycling a Distance of 25 Miles
The 25-mile bike ride is a key hurdle cyclists must overcome while developing what is necessary for long-distance cycling. In contrast to the 60 and 100-mile rides, this is not as sensitive to pacing since it can be completed in 2 to 3 hours provided your body is in good condition.
Experienced cyclists can complete it in under two hours but, less experienced cyclists may take up to three hours or more, depending on your pace. However, I’ve seen some people clear this distance on flats as a beginner, though these are people who lead an active lifestyle.
To get a better idea of the length, the distance around Central Park in New York is around 6 miles, so 25 miles would be a little over four times around the park. This is something many would be able to handle as long as you get enough experience, and consistent training can get you there sooner.
Factors Affecting Cycling Time
When undertaking a course, speed determines how fast you can clear. Going faster means less time needed to complete the course but there’s more to this than just pedaling your brains out.
Let’s take a look at the different factors that affect our cycling times.
1. Fitness
Athletes work on their bodies to ensure the best performance; the same applies to riding a bike. Even if you can squeeze 20 mph out of your legs, your fitness level determines your limit. I learned this the hard way, but you’re better off remembering this point.
A trained body also gives you the ability to recover more quickly. This becomes indispensable on long rides.
2. Skill
Cycling skill also affects your speed and time. Rookie mistakes cost extra time and energy but you learn to avoid these as you develop your cycling.
Skill and fitness are things you can work on simultaneously so improving is just a matter of time. Having the diligence to train regularly goes a long way in improving your average time.
Back then, it took me a good struggle of 3 hours to achieve 25 miles on a smooth road. Now, my record is 1 hour and 36 minutes.
3. Bicycle type
There are many types of bicycles, with road bikes well-suited for flats, while MTBs are for rough tracks and climbs. It’s not that you can’t use one for the other, but the right bike can be the difference that nets you a new record.
Even if you usually ride 20mph on your road bike, using an MTB will be more tiring when maintaining the same speed since it is heavier. On an MTB bike, I need more effort to maintain my speed, but it wears me out faster. That’s why it takes me nearly 2 hours to finish the ride on a MTB.
4. Condition of the road or track
As mentioned above, terrain type matters because having the right type of bicycle helps get you better cycling times. However, whether the track is flat or rough is not the only consideration.
Weather conditions, time of day, visibility, soil type, incline; all of these details matter when you ride because each one can affect how fast you can go. The most important thing is awareness, and ample preparation often bears fruit.
- Cycling times relative to speed
There is no single ideal speed for completing a 25-mile ride, but we can refer to average cycling times to compare. These averages are the culmination of different factors affecting you.
Below is a table showing different cycling speeds and the resulting times for each.
| Cycling Speed and Clear Times Chart for 25-mile Distance | ||
| Speed (miles per hour) | Time to complete | Notes |
| 8.2 | 3+ hours | Average speed on rough |
| 10 | 2 hr 30 mins | High average pace for beginners |
| 12.1 | 2 hours | Avg cycling commute speed on roads |
| 14.2 | 1 hr 50 mins | Leisure cycling average speed |
| 20 | 1 hr 15 mins | Average pace for skilled riders |
| 25 | 1 hour | Median speed for professional cyclists |
Tips for Cycling and Training
25 miles is just the beginning of long-distance cycling. Here are tips to help you get a better foothold for overcoming that distance and beyond.
- Incorporate recovery rides and rest days
- Daily training matters
- Gradually increase riding distance while training
- Maintain a relaxed cycling pace on long rides
- Change your riding position and posture periodically
- Save energy for the latter half
- Fuel yourself often
Conclusion
How long does it take to bike 25 miles? Now you know that it’s around 2 hours for flat roads and three or more hours for rough terrain. You also know about other factors that affect your pace so be sure to analyze them if you’re looking to improve your time.
What do you think is the most important thing to consider when trying to shorten your completion time of specific cycling tracks? Tell us about your ideas in the comments section below.
Always ride safely.
“Bike commuting should be the trend for the next few years, and it is a convenient and eco-friendly way for us to travel. And we are here to make it a bit less troublesome for people who want to maintain their vehicle for a long time. So, the content I expect to put out here is offering help for bikers who are facing issues with parts of their bikes once in a while. Let’s have fun and protect the environment together!”