Mileage comparison time & distance

[velocyclist011]

Hi
I was recently asked by a work colleague if I thought a 12 mile beginners cycle ride was to far for a beginner? my answer was no, but has left me wondering if their is a chart available to show the differences to put it in a tangaible format for newbie cyclists?
For example as a walker it would take 3-4 hours to complete at a average pace of 3 1/2 miles an hours, a jogger? a runner? a leisure/commuter cyclist? a racing cyclist?
just thought i would ask as I am unable to locate any information on a google search?

Thank You
A.

[Vorpal]

I think it depends quite a bit on the beginner. Someone who is adult and reasonably fit from another sport can probably ride 12 miles without trouble or discomfort. Someone who is very unfit, is overweight, young or old may struggle on a 12 mile ride, if they aren't used to it, especially of they don't have a suitable bicycle or clothing. I've witnessed people coming along on 15 mile beginner rides who did struggle. In most cases, wearing jeans, or riding a cheap mountain bike with knobblies at least contributed to their difficulty.

Some organisations have descriptions for 'beginner', 'easy', etc. They will usually put the description in terms like:
-speeds under 12 mph
-always at the pace of the slowest
-relatively flat

And so forth. If it's not clear, the best thing to do is contact the organisation sponsoring the ride and ask about how fast it will be and how the pace is set.

[Mick F]

It also needs to be considered about the terrain and the road/track surface and maybe if there's comfort stops and food and drink available.

We did an eleven mile walk a week or so ago, it took us nine or ten hours ................ but then it was a sponsored pub walk!
Seven pubs.

[Psamathe]

"Beginner" encompasses a wide range of "states". And it is not only a question of fitness, which muscle groups are fit, etc. but also one of motivation. Take two people with the same "fitness", and one who is "sceptical" about cycling or a damp/drizzly cold day will get on very differently from somebody who is very enthusiastic on a warm sunny day. i.e. motivation can play an important part.

Ian

[mercalia]

its not just the distance but also how long to do it in? A beginner may want to stop frequently, time to look around and stare. The first time u do 12 miles or so under own steam is rather exciting?

[Mark1978]

Our club has been running some 'beginners' or 'steady' rides. I've been trying to reign in their ambition a bit. Started with 40 mile rides with a cafe stop. Last weekend was 65 miles and they were talking about 75 miles next which is definitely not for beginners no matter what pace.

[Tangled Metal]

3 1/2mph walking is a.little fast. Google Naismith's rule, it's a formula to estimate time to allocate to a certain length walk. Not sure if there's something similar for cycling but this rule is a good one for the average walker.

[Mark1978]

3 1/2mph walking is a.little fast. Google Naismith's rule, it's a formula to estimate time to allocate to a certain length walk. Not sure if there's something similar for cycling but this rule is a good one for the average walker.

3.5mph is my normal brisk pace. I can do 4mph but that takes a good bit of 'shut up legs' effort to get going. 3mph is a more realistic sauntering pace. With my 3 year old daughter it's more like 1.5mph and everything seems a long way!

[mjr]

Our club has been running some 'beginners' or 'steady' rides. I've been trying to reign in their ambition a bit. Started with 40 mile rides with a cafe stop. Last weekend was 65 miles and they were talking about 75 miles next which is definitely not for beginners no matter what pace.

As long as you mix the distances up a bit so that newcomers can build up to the longer ones, I don't see a problem other than the horrible "beginners" label. Two weeks ago, some of the KLWNBUG freewheelers did 98 miles (a little faster than usual, but still below the local racers' "beginners" "social" rides). Last week, we were back to 11 miles - fun comes in different ways.