As you get more experienced as a cyclist, you will set yourself goals. Riding 10 miles is an excellent goal to set yourself as it is a realistic distance without being too strenuous.
Knowing how long it takes to ride 10 miles is a good idea, as you can plan your rides around your day. This goes for people who want to get some exercise in or take the kids out for a ride. So how long does it take to bike 10 miles?
There is no quick answer to this question, as several factors will affect your time. However, a typical time to bike 10 miles would be anywhere between 25 to 50 minutes, though some cyclists may ride faster or slower than this.
In this article, we will cover:
- A cyclist’s average speed
- How fitness affects your 10-mile time
- How fast your bike is
- What bike components affect your speed
- Your 10-mile route
- How the weather affects your speed
- How the stuff you carry can speed you up or slow you down
Are you ready to set yourself a 10-mile challenge?
A Cyclist’s Average Speed
A beginner cyclist rides at about 10 mph; therefore, you can cover a mile in about 6 minutes. However, more experienced cyclists can cover the distance in 30 to 45 minutes.
Everyone rides under different circumstances, so your 10-mile time can be very different to someone else’s.
To accurately answer the question of “how fast does it take to bike 10 miles?”, you need to know your average speed. Your time is the distance divided by your speed. But here is a handy table to make it easier:
| Speed | 10-mile Time |
| 12 mph | 50 minutes |
| 14 mph | 42 minutes 21 seconds |
| 16 mph | 37 minutes 30 seconds |
| 18 mph | 33 minutes 20 seconds |
| 20 mph | 30 minutes |
| 22 mph | 27 minutes 16 seconds |
| 24 mph | 25 minutes |
| 26 mph | 23 minutes 5 seconds |
How long does it take to bike 5 miles? Divide the 10-mile time in 2!
How Fitness Affects Your 10-mile Time
Your fitness is the most significant factor in determining how fast you can ride 10 miles. If you are active, ride often, and ride long distances, you will have developed a good fitness level, making your 10-mile distance a fast one.
However, if you have a pretty sedentary lifestyle and are willing to make changes, it won’t take long to get up to speed. Riding a bike is easy and intuitive. There are many cycling tips for beginners, advice on learning to ride a bike as an adult, and even training wheels for adults to get you started from scratch.
Once you get on your bike, you will be surprised how far you can ride before getting tired. You may not break any records for your 10-mile distance or be able to complete 10 miles straight away, but everyone has to start somewhere.
If your goal is to ride 10 miles, there is nothing wrong with stopping a couple of times, but it is achievable for most people. If you are brand new to cycling, give yourself 90 to 120 minutes to bike 10 miles.
Cyclists who consider themselves to be reasonably fit should be able to hit the 10-mile mark in half the time of a beginner.
When you set a goal of riding 10 miles, you need to be realistic about your current fitness level. Don’t be disheartened if it takes you longer than expected; it just means you have to get out on your bike more before you reach your target.
The more you ride, the faster you will be able to ride and maintain a higher speed. This is all down to your pace, which will become faster over time.
Your Bike Will Determine How Fast You Can Ride 10 Miles
Less experienced cyclists may not realize that their bike makes a difference in how fast they can ride 10 miles. Your bike also determines how comfortable you will be in the saddle.
Which bike you choose to ride depends on the terrain in your local area, your interests, and circumstances. Check out our blog on the different types of bikes available, but here is a rundown of three of the most popular types:
Road Bikes
Road bikes are the fastest type of bike designed for paved roads. So if you want to bike 10 miles as fast as possible, you need to buy one of these.
Road bikes are lightweight and aerodynamic to make riding as efficient as possible. They have a range of gears to help you speed along flats and climb hills.
You ride a road bike in an aggressive aerodynamic position, so you are as slippery through the air as possible. This is not a comfortable riding position, but you can buy road bikes with endurance geometry which is a little more comfortable.
These bikes are rigid, meaning they have no suspension. Therefore, you will feel every bump in the road, but all your power goes into the back wheel for optimum speed.
Mountain Bikes
You can ride a mountain bike pretty much anywhere, but there are several sub-categories of mountain bikes suited to different terrain and riding styles.
A mountain bike will never be as fast as a road bike on a flat road. However, it is more versatile, as you will be more comfortable and be able to ride on various surfaces.
The extra weight and reduced aerodynamics slow mountain bikers down, so your 10-mile time will be slower, but your route will be more exciting.
Hybrid Bikes
Bikes with lightweight components and frames are easier to pedal. Therefore you should be able to reduce your 10-mile time on a lighter bike. However, spending all your money to shave off a few grams isn’t always the best way. You can often reduce weight by the same amount by losing it off your belly.
A great example of components that add weight is bike suspension. Suspension enhances off-road capability and comfort, but the components are heavy. They also cause the bike to bob up and down as you pedal, making the bike less efficient, affecting your speed, especially on roads.
Your wheels and tire choice also affect how fast your bike can go. Smaller wheels allow you to accelerate faster but make it harder to maintain a higher speed. On the other hand, larger wheels are more difficult o get rolling but easier to reach a higher speed and maintain it.
Larger wheels also roll over bumps easier than smaller wheels, so you can ride faster on uneven ground.
Some tires are designed to allow you to ride faster with low rolling resistance. These are not as grippy but roll easier than chunky tires with aggressive tread patterns.
Where You Ride Will Affect How Fast You Can Bike 10 Miles
When someone asks you, “how long does it take to bike 10 miles?” you need to think about where you are riding.
Trying to break your 10-mile record while riding up a hill will be much more challenging than on a flat or downhill stretch of road. A hill can double or triple your 10-mile time, depending on the severity of the gradient.
The surface you ride on will also make a difference to your speed. Bumpy and slippery ground is much more challenging to ride quickly on than smooth surfaces. This is when you need to think about what bike you use.
Another aspect of your location that will affect your speed is what is going on in the area. For example, if your route has roadworks, traffic, school zones, etc., your 10-mile time will be much longer than a route consisting of empty roads.
How The Weather Affects Your Speed
Riding in the winter can be fun, but there is a good chance that you won’t head out on your bike in horrendous weather conditions. You are more likely to go to a spin class or ride an exercise bike in the warm and dry.
However, if you do head out to bike 10 miles, the weather will make a difference to your time. For example, if you have a headwind, you will have to pedal much harder to maintain your speed. On the contrary, riding with the wind behind you can significantly speed you up.
It isn’t just bad weather that will affect your speed, though. If you plan to bike 10 miles on a hot day, you may fatigue quickly. Therefore, make sure you carry plenty of water to keep you hydrated and your energy levels up.
The different weather conditions can interrupt your ride. You may want to stop for a rest in the shade or drink on a hot day. Also, stopping to add or remove layers of clothing to suit the weather conditions will make your 10-mile ride take longer.
How The Stuff You Carry Affects How Quickly It Takes To Bike 10 Miles
You can experience any number of interruptions during a bike ride. But how you prepare for them will determine how quickly you can get home.
Mechanical problems can stop you in your tracks. So you should always carry a spare inner tube, pump, and tire levers in case you get a puncture. You may want to consider going tubeless to prevent punctures from occurring in the first place.
Also, a multitool in your backpack will allow you to fix your bike at the side of the road or trail. This is much more preferable than getting stranded or having to push your bike home.
How Long Does It Take To Bike 10 Miles? – Answered!
As you can see, many things can affect how long it takes to bike 10 miles. Most people can expect to complete a 10-mile loop in just under an hour, but there is not a straightforward answer to the question with all these variables.
One thing is sure, though. Your fitness is the primary factor in your 10-mile time. Therefore, you may want to check out the blogs below to help you become a stronger rider:
FTP Test: What Is Functional Threshold Power:
Cycling Interval Training Workouts: Boost Your Speed And Power:
