one4smoke

For me, currently it's 30. For whatever reason, if I don't get in at least that amount, I feel as though I didn't ride enough. Anything more, feels like gravy. Not exactly sure why that's my "magic number" but it is.

What's yours?

Machka 

Depends.

Depends on the weather, the terrain of the ride, what we're trying to accomplish and how much time we've got.

Plotone

My route I use for a quick ride is about 40K/25mi (but has decent climbing).
For organized rides I only consider rides at least 80K/50mi. Metric century is my favorite distance.

one4smoke

Well, I understand, but I guess I'm talking more in general terms.

cyclist2000

mine is 20 miles. I used to find excuses not to finish my average ride ~20 miles, then I made my personal rule that if I ride, I'm doing at least 20 miles. this doesnt apply if I'm doing a errand run.

MRT2

I agree. Some days, 40 seems just right and others, 25 is too much. Depends on a lot of factors. Though it is nice to push rides to longer distances, it might be counterproductive to think along these lines of, unless it is 30 miles, might as well not bother.

FWIW, my goal this year is to do more frequent shorter rides in between longer rides this season. I don't know if it will make much of a difference in total miles for the years (thinking maybe a few hundred miles extra at most) but thinking that making more of a habit of riding, 7 miles, 10 miles, or 12 miles at lunch or after work 3 or 4 times a week will be good for my wellbeing.

Drew Eckhardt 

25-30 every weekday, 40-60 every Saturday when not riding farther, 100-200+ monthly.

25-30 miles is worth getting out for, but not too long it cuts into my work day. It works out to be much of an hour getting through stop lights and traffic, then a short flat ride over one of two routes which avoid those things.

40-60 miles allows 15 miles each way to and from mountains with more more interesting terrain, still doesn't allow a lot of options, but doesn't take so long the day is completely gone.

100-125 miles is enough to make it over one mountain range a variety of ways, ride along the other side, and come back an interesting route. 200 miles gives more options. 100-125 miles is a day time ride, 200 doesn't delay my bed time too much.

Mobile 155

Looking at Strava it seems 35 to 45 miles is about right.

rm -rf

About 8 to 10 miles (at 10 mph!). But that's on the local RedBike bike share, stopping for coffee and at Findlay Market, then cruise through the riverfront parks.

Otherwise, 25+ miles on my road bike, usually 30-40 miles. Such a different experience than the bike share rides.

~~~~

Bike Share ride. (Not drinking, GPS is affected by taller buildings.)

General Geoff

I like to ride at least 15 miles. Less than that and I feel like I put more effort into getting the bike out, checking/inflating tires, taking the bike outside, filling water bottle, etc. than actually riding.

one4smoke

+1

sevenmag

25. I have routes of a few more and a few less, but I prefer to get at least that amount in. I have a routine each week I try to stick to, and 25 is an average per day except for my one day of 40+

italktocats

about 25km to and 25km back seems fine by me, longer and changes are ill get bored

dksix

My favorite ride is 26 or 29 miles (depending on where I park to start). It's about 10-11 miles on 1 road then about a 6 mile loop then back down the 10-11 miles, all total Strava shows about 1000' of elevation. It's the ride I make my highest average speeds, I feel like I've done something but I'm not exhausted. I like to use it as a performance scale because so much of it is on the same road going both directions that the wind direction sort of even out.

tourisme

I don't see how it is possible to talk "in general terms" without having regard to terrain etc. Thirty miles with 3000 feet of climbing is a very different proposition than the same distance that is pan-flat.

I tend to spend 10-12 hours a week on the bike. My shortest ride is likely to be between 90 minutes and two hours. In that case I'm likely to include some intense efforts. Some days I might ride for five hours. They're more likely to be flattish, and largely at endurance pace.

canklecat

Two hours.

I don't pay much attention to the miles. It's gradually increased over the months. Around 20 miles now, which is limited mainly by my loafing speed of around 12 mph. On days when the legs and other bodily functions cooperate I can manage up to 40 miles.

Since I resumed cycling last year my rides have followed pretty much the same pattern:

• First 5 minutes -- Feels great! Could do this all day!
• Next 10 minutes -- This feels horrible! I can't breathe. My legs and lungs are on fire!
• Minutes 15-30 -- Okay, I might survive if I pace myself.
• Minutes 30-90 -- This feels great! I could do this all day!
• Minutes 90-120 -- Ugh, legs feel dead, back and neck aching, hands and wrists numb and achy. I hear beer calling my name... soon, beer, soon, I'll be home.

Lather, rinse, repeat. Doesn't seem to matter whether it was the 5 mile rides I could barely manage last summer, with stops every 10 minutes, or the 20-40 mile rides I can handle now. Approximately the same pattern of how the body feels about this whole mess.

OldTryGuy

That is why it can be much more informative if additional information is given.

I live in SW FL......pan-flat riding. I turned 65 last July and resolved to ride my age when out on my Propel. Yesterday was 5 miles to LBS then 39 miles with group at 22.6mph average and an additional 33 miles, total of 77 so I fulfilled my resolution. Memorial Day was 125 miles then the following Saturday was 71 miles. Pretty much I have been true to the 65 miles/ride. July 10th is my 66BD so plans are the same as previous years to ride 2 x AGE + 2 extra.

one4smoke

Generally, one's average riding miles without any unusual variables.

I suppose my rides don't have as many variables as some others. There's generally only about 4 or 5 routes I take when I ride, and I always plan my rides around the weather forecast and where I have at least a couple of hours to ride.

Stucky

My favorite ride is only 25 miles. I stay fresh, and enjoy it. Too much over that, I tend to get bored, or feel like I'm just going through the motions, but not really enjoying it; plus, it's hard enough getting out for 25- what with the time it takes to prepare to go; the ride itself; packing it in when I get home and changing and everything, it's hard enough to find the time for those 25 miles, when there are always plenty of other things that need doing.

Sometimes I'll do a "quickie ride"- 15 miles- just because I can do it without feeling guilty that I've "wasted" too much time playing with my bike!

I'm actually trying to get into a scenario where I'll ride less frequently (only once or twice a week) but do longer rides when I do go (35-40 miles), as it'd be more efficient, time-wise; and going less frequently, I could then enjoy the longer ride without getting bored or feeling pressed for time.

I've never felt the need nor desire to do more than 40 miles. (I rarely even drive my motor vehicles more than 40 miles!)- My life revolves around my homestead, I really don't like being away from it for very long.

Mobile 155

It is easy, a climbing ride simply takes longer. Add in a few friends and the promise of pie at the top and a 16 mile climb after a 2 mile ride to the bottom of the mountain and a 5 percent average climb takes a bit over 2 hours average up and maybe 40 mintes back home.

The next ride can be flatter and longer and still take less than 3 hours. So generally you don't care as much about time as distance.

Cougrrcj

Commute is 12.5 each way. I gotta go to work anyway, so riding to work is a bonus! Of course, if I ride to work, I gotta ride home, too, so 25mi every other day works for me.

For a recreational ride, a Metric works if I have the time.

FullGas

my only requirement to saddle up is ride at least 10 miles...that rarely happens tho. typical ride is 25-35 mi.

average daily distance in 2015 was 20.1 miles.

so far, in 2016, it's 20.4.

Jim from Boston

Your Optimum Miles Per Ride?

Earlier today I posted,

A rough rule of thumb for me is that a “ride” is at least 10 miles, and a “long ride” is at least 40 miles. I train using Relative Perceived Exertion with a warm-up of six miles at 50% RPE, cruise at 60% RPE, with occasional intervals of 70% on the Hills. Specific mileage goals are:

DrIsotope

I don't know if there's actually an "optimal" ride, so I have to go by averages. Some days are longer than others, sometimes on purpose, sometimes on accident.

2015 average ride
33.6 miles
1,336ft^
2:14 ride time

2016 average ride
34.4 miles
1,432ft^
2:06 ride time

dragoonO1

After suffering from a hit & run, anytime I can get on my bicycle and ride it is a win, regardless of mileage.