As cyclists begin to gain more experience, one of the most important questions is how long it takes to bike 10 miles. However, for beginners, that might be a level too high. That’s why identifying how long does it take to bike 5 miles is a better metric.
Being able to cycle 5 miles without taking a break is a good indicator of a beginner’s bike performance. The time necessary to cycle 5 miles can vary depending on the skill level of the cyclist.
How Long Does It Take to Bike 5 Miles for a Beginner Cyclist?
The answer for a beginner cyclist can vary. However, on average, a beginner cyclist can maintain an average speed between 8 – 10mph! Consequently, a beginner cyclist will manage 5 miles in the 25-40 minute mark.
On the other hand, more experienced cyclists will manage the 5 mile distance in 20 minutes. If you’re exceptionally skilled, you’ll be able to handle the distance in 15 minutes. However, there are also plenty of external factors that’ll impact your journey time.
Let’s look at some of the factors that impact how long it takes to bike 5 miles!
Factors that Impact How Long it takes to Bike 5 Miles!
The Weather
Most people tend to overlook the weather when considering how long it takes to bike 5 miles. Naturally, it’s easy to understand that if there’s a lot of rain, it’ll take longer for the average cyclist to cycle 5 miles.
However, even on a day with perfect weather and the ideal sun, the wind can significantly affect how long it’ll take you to bike 5 miles. The direction and speed of the wind can have a considerable impact.
If you’re cycling along with the wind, you’ll be experiencing the phenomenon known as a tailwind. Tailwind will make it much easier for you to cycle faster, and you’ll feel much less air resistance while moving forwards.
Simultaneously, when cyclists encounter a brutal headwind, it significantly impacts how long it takes them to bike 5 miles! You won’t quite understand how difficult it gets until you experience riding against a tough headwind for yourself.
The Terrain
Aside from the weather, the terrain you encounter is another factor that impacts how long it takes to bike 5 miles. Naturally, you’ll be able to reach your fastest speeds on flat surfaces and paved roads.
When you’re riding on a trail, cycling 5 miles can take much longer because you have to consider sharp turns and other obstacles on the path. It can get even more complicated if the route you select has a few uphill climbs.
For beginner cyclists, it’s best to stick with flat surfaces. After gaining a steady level of experience, you can switch towards biking 5 miles on more challenging terrains.
Overall Fitness
Another contributing factor for cyclists is their overall fitness levels. An individual with decent cardio will be capable of biking 5 miles much quicker than someone with poor cardio.
If you’re trying to bike 5 miles and your cardio is not up to the mark, you’ll have to take breaks in between. Consequently, cyclists with better cardio will be able to bike 5 miles much quicker!
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t catch up. Cycling is one of the best cardio workouts, and with regular practice, your cardio will improve. As your cardio improves, you’ll be able to boast better 5 mile times consistently!
The Bike
The type of bike that you ride also has a significant impact on how long does it take to bike 5 miles. If you’re riding a hybrid bike on a flat surface, and can’t seem to better your 5 mile time, maybe try switching over to a road bike.
Road bikes are significantly lighter and are designed to reach high speeds. Their lightweight frames help ensure that cycles get a lot more return from their pedaling than a hybrid or a mountain bike.
All these different types of bikes serve a different purpose. If you’re riding on a trail, a mountain bike and a hybrid bike are much better options than road bikes. Mountain and hybrid bikes are specifically designed to provide better handling on challenging terrains.
When it comes to unpaved terrains, the gravel bike vs hybrid question doesn’t go away. Gravel bikes are arguably the best bike to test your 5 mile time on an unpaved terrain.
Make sure you pick a route that features terrains which your bike can handle. That way, you’ll be able to improve how long it takes you to cycle 5 miles.
Improving How Long It Takes to Bike 5 Miles
While successfully completing your first 5 mile ride is a great experience, it’s not a point where you should stand still. By working hard and cycling regularly, you can significantly improve how long it takes you to bike 5 miles.
All you need to do to improve is get a bike, a stopwatch, and a clear route where you can practice. Make a record of all your runs, and with regular practice, you’ll notice that you’re getting quicker with each run.
The more you practice, the faster you’ll get!
Important Reminder
Before you start going on long bike journey’s, it’s important to have a basic understanding of cycling maintenance. Knowing how to use a bike pump or reattaching a loose bike chain are skills that every cyclist should know!
Wrapping Up
When it comes to answering how long does it take to bike 5 miles, then there’s no definitive answer. A beginner cyclist might take 25-45 minutes to complete a 5 mile course depending on all the contributing factors.
However, it’s still a good metric for those starting to measure themselves and see how they’re progressing. Whether you only use your bike to go to college or you’re a regular cycling enthusiast, being able to cycle 5 miles quicker is worth working towards!
