Setting Cycling Mileage Goals (at Any Level)
If biking more than one mile can be achieved at any fitness level, then why do we think of cycling mileage goals only being for advanced cyclists? The fact of the matter is that cycling mileage goals can be helpful no matter your skill level. Cycling mileage goals can give you a longer-term goal to work towards and can help you build up stamina and endurance for other cycling goals.
What are cycling mileage goals?
Mileage goals are any cycling goals geared to how many miles you ride daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly.
One of the most popular cycling goal is to ride a certain number of miles in a week, month, or year. For example, a common goal for many cyclists is to ride 100 miles in a week. This might seem like a lot at first, but it’s actually quite achievable if you break it down into smaller goals. For instance, you could aim to ride 15 miles each day from Monday to Friday and then do a longer ride on Saturday or Sunday.
Why should you set cycling mileage goals?
A lot of people tend to shy away from setting mileage goals for their cycling. They either think that it’s not necessary, or they’re worried about not being able to stick to the goals that they set. However, there are actually a lot of good reasons to set a mileage goal:
- Goal setting is good practice: The best way to stay motivated with any routine is to have a few goals you can work toward. Setting cycling mileage goals isn’t the only thing that will keep your interest up, but it’s definitely one of them!
- Mileage goals fit within any timeline: The great thing about cycling mileage goals is that they can be daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. You can adapt cycling mileage goals to your timeline.
- Mileage goals can keep you accountable: A cycling mileage goal is all about the miles you put in, which requires time in the saddle.
- Mileage goals can help with your overall endurance: Spending time cycling, plugging in some miles, and reaching your goals will all help enhance your overall cycling endurance.
- It can be done from anywhere: With virtual biking, indoor biking, and outdoor biking, you have a lot of options when it comes to how you want to log miles.
How do I create mileage goals as a cyclist?
Start with your fitness baseline
No matter your fitness level, you’ll want to start at your baseline. You don’t want your cycling goals to be unattainable.
If you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid to start small. You can always increase your mileage as you get more comfortable on the bike.
Consider your overall cycling goals
Before you start cycling, it’s important to consider your overall goals:
- Are you training for a race?
- Do you want to get faster?
- Do you want to build endurance?
- Do you want to get more comfortable traveling long distances?
- Or are you looking to build a more consistent routine?
By considering your overall cycling goals, you can tailor your mileage goals and track your progress.
Establish your goal’s duration and time
Developing cycling goals is a process that’s all about finding what works for you. You can choose from daily, weekly, or monthly objectives depending on the time period and desired pace of progress!
How to set cycling mileage goals at any level
The specifics of your cycling mileage goals will all depend on who you are, what you are working towards, and what you determine is best for you. However, depending on your fitness ability, here are some things to consider:
Beginner
When you’re new to cycling, it can be tough to know how to set mileage goals. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
However, there are a few general guidelines that can help you get started. If you’re just starting out, you may want to aim for 10–15 miles per week.
Or if you’re looking to increase your mileage as a beginner cyclist, adding 10% per week is a good rule of thumb. Remember, the key is to start small and build up gradually.
And if you need some extra motivation, don’t be afraid to set yourself some fun and challenging goals along the way!
Intermediate
As an intermediate cyclist, you should shoot for a mileage goal of between 100 and 150 miles per week. This will give you the time in the saddle to improve your fitness while also allowing for sufficient rest and recovery.
If you aren’t already, now might be the time to start tracking your monthly mileage.
Advanced
Cycling mileage goals as an advanced cyclist vary depending on the cyclist’s experience, age, and other factors. However, a good goal to shoot for is to cycle 300-500 miles per week.
This cycling mileage goal will help you become stronger, faster, and more efficient on the bike. Additionally, it will help you to increase your endurance and aerobic capacity so that you can continue cycling longer distances without feeling tired. Finally, it will also help improve your overall cycling technique.
Remember, have fun with it
It’s important to have fun with your cycling goals! If you’re too focused on mileage or other serious measures, you’ll quickly lose interest. Instead, set goals that excite you and challenge you to get better.
And remember, it’s okay to adjust your goals as you go – the most important thing is that you’re enjoying the process.
Because even when the weather doesn’t cooperate or you just can’t find the time to prepare for a long ride outside, you can train with a virtual training app like Vingo! With Vingo you can hit your cycling goals without ever having to leave your house.
How long does it take to cycle 10km?
Knowing how long it might take you to bike a set number of miles can help you set mileage goals and plan your rides, especially when you’re first starting out. For most relatively fit people, it should take about 25 to 30 minutes to cycle 10 km (or 6.2 miles) on an exercise bike.1 Of course, this depends on your overall fitness level and other factors, but it’s still a helpful metric to start with.
Key Takeaways:
While mileage goals won’t be the only goal you have on the bike, they are great basic goals to have, no matter your fitness ability. Knowing your baseline, what you are working towards and what your timeline is can help determine the appropriate mileage goal for you.The great thing about mileage goals is they are adaptable and they keep you accountable. So no matter your cycling ability, consider starting to track your miles on the road and on the bike!
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References:
- Clark, M. (n.d.). 10k Times By Age And Ability – Cycling Level. Cycling Level. https://cyclinglevel.com/cycling-times/10k-times
Photo Sources:
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