Is a 7 mile cycle ride considered "nothing" or fairly good going?

[JudyOha]

I'm not the fittest person but I'm mid-20s, female and had cycled 7 miles the other day (mostly a flat route with some slight uphill and downhill bits). I know it depends on the person but if you're reasonably fit, I'd like your view on the 7 mile distance.

I really admire people who can do like the London to Brighton or even London to Paris cycle routes.. there's no way I would manage that. I don't know how just normal people do it?!

I would recommend the London to Brighton as a great, hard but achievable target for a beginner cyclist. I did it a few years ago after very little training, just a few practise rides. It took me hours, and I had to push my bike up most of the hills, but the majority is flat, easy roads and the miles tick away surprisingly quickly. My longest ride prior to the event was probably 20 miles. I was really chuffed to finish.

I am going to do it again next year, and train harder this time as I would like to conquer some of the hills and be a bit quicker.

7 miles is really good if you don't cycle regularly😊
I used to cycle as a means of transport as well as for fun when I was in my 20s and 30s and if I missed a few days it was hard going the first day back to cycling.
Stretch before and after cycling to ease tight hamstrings.
Well done @JudyOha

It’s not far on a bike, unless you’re going up a mountain.

My son does 22 each day going to college and did 56 miles a few Saturdays back. He’s your age.

7 miles of sweaty riding is good going. Well done.

My OH regularly does 100 mile rides for the hell of it. I could not be arsed with that.

What clashcity said- depends hugely on the bike.

Do you have Strava on your phone? It does make it more meaningful when you can see your ascent and max mph.

I am 14 stone, 5ft 4, very unfit and obese.
Today I did 6 miles on a new bike, I was shattered. Hair soaked in sweat, face red etc, legs aching. I had to stop several times.

I’m doing it again tomorrow.

We all need to start somewhere.

Oh and I am 54 and haven’t been on a bike since 1992 🤗🤗

It’s all good exercise, so well done for getting out there! Before your next ride you might want to give your bike a quick check to make sure it’s all in good working order- or ask a knowledgeable friend to. Things like making sure the tyres are pumped up, the gears work properly, and the brakes aren’t rubbing on the wheel will make a big difference to the amount of effort you have to put in.

Thanks a lot everyone! :)

It's about whether it's a good distance for you so it's really impossible to say. 7 miles is a nice bike ride for me but then I'm pretty fit, for others they'd struggle to complete it and it would be a challenge, so there's really no saying. Keep it up though, it's really enjoyable and it's a great way to get/stay fit

Don't compare yourself to others. My husband is a keen cyclist, always has been. He could do 7 miles before breakfast without breaking a sweat. I however could not. We have had bike rides together where I end up a sweaty, wheezing, cursing mess and he looks like he's just got on his bike.

If you're pushing yourself physically then that's the main thing. Do 7 miles another day and it will feel easier. One day you will be able to do 8. Then 10, 15 etc etc. Everyone starts somewhere and starting is the most important thing. Well, that and keeping going!

I'm Dutch so a bit biased. If you did 7 miles slowly on a heavy bike (mine is nearly 30 kg!) to meet someone for a coffee, you'd wouldn't feel bad about ordering a piece of cake, but then you'd cycle home an hour later. If you're over 65, you're definitely allowed to do this with an e-bike . On a light-weight speed bike as a work out on flat ground, it's a warm up.

If you're not fit, feel proud of your self for starting something. That's the hardest bit! But hopefully you'll be able to do it in your sleep within six months.

It's not a long way, no, but if it tired you out then it is improving your fitness. 75 miles might be easy to the next person so no challenge in that.

The point is to keep building up. You've cycled 7 miles further that everyone on the sofa (guilty face) today!

And what's with all this I-could-never-do-that talk? Of course you could!

Further to my post yesterday, I did nearly 10 today and ache 😁😁

Yeah!
Remember to be kind to yourself though...it’s more important to keep this up for life than go mad and burn out in the first week!

Stretches are your friend if you ache.

Well done! 7 miles is an achievement to be proud of when you have done it for the first time. Everyone has to start somewhere and now you have made your start, you can gradually increase both length and speed. Don't compare yourself to other people or what you "should" manage. The only person you are competing with is yourself. I use the Strava app for training as I find it fun and motivating to see if I am gradually getting faster and going further. I can recommend using an app like it if you find it motivating.

I'm getting an E-bike soon to do a 35 mile round trip commute, I'm rather unfit and over 50 so I don't feel guilty about the electric boost! I would probably feel a bit puffed after 7 miles on my heavy old mountain bike these days, less so on a cooler day.

7 miles it’s a great start well done

At least your outside and doing it.

Everyone has to start somewhere.

And 10 miles today is just as good

It's not a vast amount. When I cycled I used to go on 10 mile rides which took an hour and never felt like I'd done much exercise. But as others have said, it's much better than sitting on the sofa. And it's definitely a start.

Did you enjoy it? Would you do it again?

7 miles off road is about what my 4 year old can do. I’m usually feeling ready to stop by then, but I’m not known for my fitness or endurance. Off road is (obviously) much harder than on-road but I guess 20 miles off road would be a decent-ish workout for a non-cyclist of moderate fitness. But, 7 miles is better than no miles and a good start. Best to build up gently

Well it is 7 miles more than many people will have ever done on a bike so well done. You have made a start and who knows you may be doing 70 miles in a few months time.