How Long Does It Take To Bike 1, 5, 10, 20, Or More Miles

Navigating the world of cycling can raise many questions, especially when planning rides of varying distances.

Whether you're pedaling a quick mile or gearing up for a more extended journey, understanding how long it might take is crucial.

This guide breaks down the estimated cycling times for different terrains and types of bikes, ensuring you're well-prepared for any ride ahead.

Published: October 10, 2023.

How Long Does It Take To Bike A Mile?

The time it takes to bike a mile can vary considerably based on several factors: the type of terrain (flat vs. hilly), the type of bicycle (mountain bike vs. street bike), the rider's level of fitness, and the intensity at which the person is cycling.

Flat Terrain

• Recreational Rider: A casual, recreational rider will often average about 12-16 mph on flat terrain. So, for one mile, this would take approximately 3.75 to 5 minutes.
• Street Bike/Road Cyclist: A trained cyclist on a road bike might average 18-25 mph on flat terrain. That would make it 2.4 to 3.3 minutes for a mile.
• Mountain Bike: Generally, mountain bikes are heavier and less efficient on flat roads. An average speed might be 10-16 mph, which translates to 3.75 to 6 minutes for a mile.

Hilly Terrain

• Recreational Rider: With hills, the speed can drop significantly. A casual rider might average 7-12 mph, so biking a mile would be roughly 5 to 8.5 minutes.
• Street Bike/Road Cyclist: A trained cyclist can handle hills better and might average 12-18 mph. This would be about 3.3 to 5 minutes for a mile.
• Mountain Bike: On hilly terrains, a mountain biker might average 7-15 mph, depending on the steepness of the terrain. This equates to 4 to 8.5 minutes for a mile.

Technical Off-Road (For MTB)

• If you're mountain biking on a technical trail with roots, rocks, and sharp turns, your speed will vary greatly. Averaging speeds of 5-10 mph is common, meaning it would take 6 to 12 minutes to cover a mile.

Factors to Consider

• Wind: Wind resistance can play a significant role, especially on flat terrains. Riding into a headwind can greatly reduce your speed, while a tailwind can help you go faster.
• Fitness Level: A fit rider will sustain higher speeds for longer periods compared to someone who's not as fit.
• Bike Efficiency and Maintenance: A well-maintained bike will allow for smoother and faster rides. The type of tires, their inflation level, and overall bike weight can influence speed.
• Pace: Some riders might take a leisurely pace to enjoy the scenery, while others might be on a fitness ride or training, pushing themselves harder.

While the above provides some general guidelines, actual times will vary for every individual. If you're curious about your personal average, using a cycling computer or a smartphone app can help you monitor your speed and progress over time.

How Long Does It Take To Bike 5 Miles?

Cycling for a mile or 5 miles is not much different, right? You jump on your bike and ride...

Well, not that simple. Five miles is a 5x longer distance, requiring the trainee to think much more about energy and time management, which becomes even more important when cycling for 10, 20, or even more miles.

Flat Terrain

• Recreational Rider: At an average speed of 12-16 mph, it would take a recreational rider about 18.75 to 25 minutes to bike 5 miles on flat terrain.
• Street Bike/Road Cyclist: For someone on a road bike averaging 18-25 mph, it would take 12 to 16.7 minutes to cover 5 miles.
• Mountain Bike: On a mountain bike, covering 5 miles on flat terrain at an average speed of 10-16 mph would take between 18.75 and 30 minutes.

Hilly Terrain

• Recreational Rider: Averaging 7-12 mph due to hills, a casual rider would take between 25 and 42.9 minutes to bike 5 miles.
• Street Bike/Road Cyclist: A trained cyclist on hilly terrains averaging 12-18 mph would take between 16.7 and 25 minutes for 5 miles.
• Mountain Bike: On similar hilly terrains, a mountain biker averaging 7-15 mph might take 20 to 42.9 minutes to cover 5 miles.

Technical Off-Road (For MTB)

• If mountain biking on a technical trail, averaging speeds of 5-10 mph means it would take 30 to 60 minutes to cover 5 miles, depending on the trail's difficulty and technical features.

Factors to Consider

• Wind: As previously mentioned, wind resistance can significantly affect speed. A strong headwind might increase the time required to cover a distance, while a tailwind might decrease it.
• Fitness Level: A person's fitness level will play a significant role in how fast they can cover a given distance.
• Bike Efficiency and Maintenance: A bike in good condition will perform better and faster. The type of tires and their condition can also make a difference.
• Pace: The purpose of the ride (leisurely scenic tour vs. intense workout) can influence the pace, and thus the time it takes to cover 5 miles.

Again, these are broad generalizations, and individual results may vary.

Monitoring personal averages using a cycling computer or app will provide a more accurate assessment of one's performance over a 5-mile distance.

How Long Does It Take To Bike 10 Miles?

Despite being "just" 2x longer than a 5-mile ride, a 10-mile ride can be quite challenging, especially on uneven terrain.

Flat Terrain

• Recreational Rider: At an average speed of 12-16 mph, a recreational rider would likely take between 37 to 50 minutes to bike 10 miles on flat terrain.
• Street Bike/Road Cyclist: Averaging 18-25 mph on a road bike, one would take between 24 to 33 minutes to cover 10 miles.
• Mountain Bike: On a mountain bike on flat terrain, going at an average speed of 10-16 mph, the journey would take between 37 and 60 minutes.

Hilly Terrain

• Recreational Rider: At 7-12 mph due to hills, a casual rider would take between 50 and 86 minutes to bike 10 miles.
• Street Bike/Road Cyclist: A trained cyclist averaging 12-18 mph on hilly terrains would require between 33 and 50 minutes for 10 miles.
• Mountain Bike: Biking on hilly terrains, a mountain biker averaging 7-15 mph might take between 40 and 86 minutes.

Technical Off-Road (For MTB)

• On a technical trail, mountain biking at speeds of 5-10 mph would lead to a time frame of 60 to 120 minutes to cover 10 miles.

Time Management & Energy Management

• Breaks: For a 10-mile ride, some riders might prefer to take a short break, especially if they are recreational riders. A 5-10 minute rest can help to rejuvenate and stretch.
• Pacing: Maintaining a consistent pace rather than spurts of speed can help conserve energy throughout the ride.
• Cadence: Keeping a steady and comfortable pedal cadence can assist in ensuring efficient energy usage. It's often recommended to maintain a cadence of 80-100 rpm for road cycling.

Nutrition & Hydration

• Before the Ride: A light meal or snack about 1-2 hours before the ride can help in providing sustained energy. Opt for complex carbohydrates, a bit of protein, and avoid fatty or overly sugary foods.
• Hydration: Even for a 10-mile ride, it's essential to stay hydrated. Drink water before starting, and consider carrying a water bottle during the ride. In hot conditions, hydration becomes even more crucial.
• Energy Snacks: For most people, 10 miles might not require additional energy supplements. However, those pushing high intensities or those who haven't eaten well beforehand might benefit from energy gels or bars.

Factors to Consider

• Wind: As with shorter distances, wind can play a significant role. Headwinds can slow you down considerably, while tailwinds can offer a boost.
• Fitness Level: Personal fitness will dictate not just speed but also how one feels post-ride.
• Bike Efficiency and Maintenance: A well-maintained bike can make the 10-mile journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Remember, these are generalized guidelines. Individual experiences and times may vary based on a plethora of factors.

Monitoring your performance using technology can offer personalized insights and help in planning your rides more effectively.

How Long Does It Take To Bike 20 Miles?

Riding a bike for 20 miles is not for beginners for many reasons.

If You would like to bike 20 or even more miles, start slowly and gradually increase your covered distance, starting by cycling just a few miles at a time.

Over time, you will get to 20 or even much more miles.

And how long it will take to cover 20 miles depends on many factors.

Flat Terrain

• Recreational Rider: At an average speed of 12-16 mph, a recreational rider would likely take between 75 to 100 minutes (1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes) to bike 20 miles on flat terrain.
• Street Bike/Road Cyclist: Averaging 18-25 mph on a road bike, the time would range between 48 to 67 minutes (0.8 to 1.1 hours) for 20 miles.
• Mountain Bike: On a mountain bike on flat terrain, with average speeds of 10-16 mph, the journey would take between 75 and 120 minutes (1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours).

Note: If you are unsure if you can cover 20 or even more miles, consider an electric road bike; just be sure that the battery is fully charged and that you are working out in "Pedal-Only" mode. If you get so tired that you can't finish the workout, choose "Electric Assist" or even "Full-Electric" mode.

Hilly Terrain

• Recreational Rider: At speeds of 7-12 mph due to the hilly conditions, a casual rider would require between 100 and 172 minutes (1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 52 minutes) to cover 20 miles.
• Street Bike/Road Cyclist: A trained cyclist averaging 12-18 mph on such terrains would spend between 67 and 100 minutes (1.1 to 1.7 hours) for 20 miles.
• Mountain Bike: On hilly terrains, a mountain biker averaging 7-15 mph might require between 80 and 172 minutes (1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours 52 minutes).

Technical Off-Road (For MTB)

• On more challenging technical trails, mountain biking at speeds of 5-10 mph would mean a duration of 120 to 240 minutes (2 to 4 hours) to complete 20 miles.

Time Management & Energy Management

• Breaks: For a 20-mile ride, considering breaks becomes more crucial. Short breaks to stretch, hydrate, and perhaps snack can make the ride more comfortable and enjoyable. If you want to cover 20 miles as quickly as possible, consider hydrating yourself while cycling - just be very careful when doing so.
• Pacing: It becomes increasingly essential to maintain a consistent pace for longer rides to conserve energy.
• Cadence: A steady pedal cadence can help in efficient energy usage, as previously discussed.

Nutrition & Hydration

• Before the Ride: A good meal 2-3 hours before the ride, rich in complex carbohydrates and moderate protein, will provide sustained energy.
• Hydration: Drink water before beginning, and it's advisable to carry one or two water bottles, especially for longer rides. Electrolyte solutions or sports drinks can be considered for replenishing salts lost through sweating.
• During the Ride: Given the extended duration, energy bars, gels, or even simple snacks like bananas or trail mix can be beneficial to keep energy levels up.

Factors to Consider

• Wind: Longer distances mean wind can play an even more substantial role in influencing the total time taken.
• Fitness Level: Stamina and endurance start to play a more significant role when tackling longer distances.
• Bike Efficiency and Maintenance: Ensuring your bike is in top condition will make a 20-mile journey smoother and potentially faster.

As always, the above are general guidelines and individual experiences will differ based on various factors.

Using tools and apps to monitor your performance can help you prepare and plan your rides effectively, especially as the distances increase.

Similarly, as you increase your distance to 30, 40, or even more miles, the complexity of the ride increases since one has to take into account more and more details, including terrain, weather, season, hydration, required energy, spare tires, and other parts, etc.

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Few Final Words

In the vast and dynamic world of cycling, understanding your potential pace across various distances is essential.

Multiple factors, from the type of terrain to the bicycle in use and even individual fitness levels, play a role in determining how long it takes to cover specific mileage.

Whether you're a casual rider or a seasoned cyclist, having a clear idea of these timings helps in planning and maximizing the enjoyment of each journey.

For those eager to train and improve their cycling prowess, a stationary bike offers an excellent alternative, especially when the weather is less than cooperative.

These indoor bikes can simulate the resistance and experience of different terrains, ensuring that your training doesn't miss a beat, even on rainy days or during colder months.

While the estimates provided in this guide offer a general idea, the true joy of cycling lies in the journey itself.

As you pedal more, listen to your body, adjust your pace, and most importantly, enjoy every mile you conquer, whether outdoors or on a stationary bike.

But, whatever you do, stay safe!