How often should I bicycle a week?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Shasta McNasty 2007
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Shasta McNasty 2007

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I just bought a bike last month and started biking for the first time in 10 years. I've been going on this 12-mile bike path (round trip), and I've done it for the last two evenings. My legs are a little sore. How often should I bike this distance a week? I want to build leg strength and endurance.
 
Anytime you do strenuous exercise that pushes your body, you should give yourself at least 24 hours to heal & recover. I'd suggest 2-3x a week until you're comfortable. Then you could go every day, if you want to.

12 miles on a relatively flat path isn't pushing too hard (as long as you're not pedaling all out), but you should still skip a day until you're in better shape. Pushing your body too hard too early can cause injuries.

Make sure you drink plenty of water. Maintain the bike properly so that it's as efficient as possible.

As you get better, you should see your time to complete the path getting shorter. My wife rides once a week for exercise & takes about 1.5 hours to do 12 miles (8-10mph with breaks every 5-6 miles). I commute every day & do 15 miles in 50-60 minutes with quite a few hills. I would never expect my wife to keep up with me, so I let her set the pace on that one day a week.

Go at your own pace & enjoy the ride.
 
Well your sore because you havent done it for awhile
Think about how much you want to bike each day and try to fit it into your day.

have fun and good luck!
 
you dont want to push yourself start with once a week and if that way to easy go twice a week so on so on, untill you can do it every day without getting sore legs, but dont push yourself take as long as you need, you dont want to hurt ourself!
 
probally about 2-3 times a week. then the rest of the week just ride your bike about 30-45 minutes a day. to keep your body in that cycle. hope that helped. i ride my bike everyday and my muscles are now so strong.
 
it depends on your wieght and body type
if i were you i'd take it slow to start with, until you get used to it, it will hurt for awhile, expecially if you just starting out
bascially you need to determine for yourself what your body can handle, dont push it to the limit when you first start out
 
I would say at least once every day, it sounds painful, but trust me, it pays off.

You shouldn't do that much though. Start from a small amount and go longer each day.
 
About 3 times a week, it sounds like a really proportioned distance.
 
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