How Long Does It Take To Bike A Mile – Things Every Cyclist Should Know
No matter if you are a beginner cyclist or thinking about commuting by bike to work, this article should be a comprehensive guide for you to answer some common questions.
When it comes to how long does it take to bike a mile, the answer depends on several factors, including that person’s physical condition, the bike you’re using, and the road you’re cycling on.
We’ll talk about the average time it takes a person to bike a mile and more, the factors that affect bike speed, and how you can bike faster, so keep reading!
How long does it take to bike a mile?
The average time to bike a mile is three to four minutes. 17 to 18mph is the average cycling speed of a healthy person biking with a decent quality bike on a flat and even terrain. With that in mind, it goes to say that the answer will be different for every person.
For example, professional cyclists can bike 2 miles or more in that time, while an average person cycling leisurely normally takes around 6 minutes at 10mph to complete a mile. Or, if you’re biking on a steep, sloping hill, that can take you around 7 minutes going up, and just a minute or so going down.
Again, this varies on the person’s fitness, the condition and incline of the road, and the wind direction and weather conditions. We’ll go over these things in more detail later. First, let’s talk about the time it takes to cover longer distances. You might be thinking, “I just have to do simple multiplication to know the answer.” However, the bigger the distance, the more factors play into effect.
How long does it take to bike 3 miles?
If we apply the above average for a mile, it should take a cyclist about 12 minutes to bike 3 miles. Professional cyclists will be able to cover 3 miles much faster and might be able to bike 5 miles in the same amount of time.
How long does it take to bike 5 miles?
Biking a distance of 5 miles on an even road should take around 15 to 20 minutes, or even almost twice as long when you’re pedaling slowly to enjoy your surroundings, especially when the weather is good and the wind is blowing nicely.
How long does it take to bike 10 miles?
It can be difficult for many people to cover 10 miles while biking at a consistent speed. Chances are, you’ll slow down eventually, or even take a quick break at some point. When you do the math, a bike ride of this distance should take 30 to 40 minutes, but realistically speaking, it could take you almost an hour.
How long does it take to bike 20 miles?
The longer the distance, the bigger the range for the average time it takes to cover the distance when riding a bike. While a professional cyclist can bike 20 miles in less than an hour, the average person will need anywhere from an hour to two hours or more, taking into account short stops and inconsistent speeds.
How long does it take to bike 100 miles?
Anyone planning to bike 100 miles would need great stamina and endurance, both physically and mentally. That said, cycling this distance will take anywhere from 4 to 10 long and exhausting hours, but for marathon enthusiasts, it’s well worth the effort.
What is the average bike speed?
When it comes to the question of “How fast does a bike go?”, the answer is tricky, especially since, as we mentioned earlier, the type of bicycle you’re using affects your cycling speed. A regular person riding a typical bike has an average mph of 10 to 19mph, taking into account the biker’s experience and the distance he’s covering
What is the average road bike speed?
When you’re a professional using a road bike (or a “racer”, as others call it), the average speed for bike riding is around 25mph. This “average” may be slightly higher or lower, depending on the terrain and distance covered.
The fastest mile on a bike is…
Having said all these things, the fastest cycling speed on a bike ever recorded was a staggering 89.59mph, set by Todd Reichert in 2016 while cycling on an even path under fair weather conditions.
Factors that affect bike speed:
Ultimately, how fast you can go on a bike is dependent on several factors- some of which you can control, such as your fitness regimen and the bike you use, and some others, like the weather and terrain, you’ll just have to deal with.
Physical Fitness
As biking is a physical activity, it goes to say that your physique affects how well you can perform. Factors such as your age, weight, exercise routine, and cycling experience all come into play in terms of your skill and endurance in biking long distances over a short amount of time. In case it gets too exhausted, simply put your bike back on your car and safely protect it with one of these tailgate bike pads.
An older person who doesn’t exercise regularly will get fatigued easily, and a beginner may have difficulty sustaining speeds and navigating terrains, so 10 to 19mph is the reasonable range. By comparison, for professional riders at the Tour de France, the average speed is a little over 25mph.
Weather and Road Condition
The physical state and slope of your biking path are another important factor in your speed. A bike stunts track is made of smooth materials, while paved roads are a bit rougher, and dirt paths are the most uneven. Plus, there may be large bumps, hills, and slopes along the way that will require extra endurance and care to be able to overcome safely and successfully. If you end up damaging your bike, fix it easily on one of these best bike repair stands.
On a similar note, the weather conditions and wind flow also factor into your speed. Rain makes the road slick, which means you can ride faster, although it’s unsafe and difficult. It also reduces visibility, along with smog. A windy day can either help you when you’re riding along the direction of the wind, or work against you when you’re battling headwinds.
Type of bike
Finally, the height, size, weight, and type of your bicycle also need to be taken into account. A heavy bike requires more energy to pedal, and a bike that’s too small or too big won’t allow you to work your muscles properly in the first place. Of course, it also depends on how much weight you carry with you. The best bike trailers smoothly glide over the street and won’t slow you down too much.
In terms of bike types, the most common are mountain (BMX) bikes, which usually go 10mph. Old style cruisers are a bit faster at 12 to 15mph, with touring bikes and folding bikes coming close at 13 to 19mph. Then, there are road bikes or racers, which can handle speeds of 17 to 25mph.
How can I become faster at riding my bike?
Now that you know the average numbers, you might be wondering how you can improve. Well, as with everything else in life, for you to be good at something, you need to do it properly, and regularly. Learn the gears and how to use them efficiently, and bike every day. In one word, practice.
How many miles you should bike a day depends on your fitness state, and how committed you are to improving. A good strategy is commuting by bike to work, so you can go biking 10 miles a day- it’s a doable distance for beginner cyclists.
Conclusion
That’s it! The short answer to how long it takes to bike a mile is 3 to 4 minutes at an average speed of 17 to 18mph, but the reality depends on the cyclist’s physical fitness, the road and weather condition, and the type of bike he’s using. If you want to get better and faster at riding your bike, you need to practice, practice, practice!