An amateur cyclist cannot tell how much time it usually takes to travel certain miles. Keeping this in consideration, a beginner can ask, how long does it take to bike 5 miles? If this is the question you may have as a beginner cyclist, I’ve got you covered.
To begin with, a beginner cyclist takes about 30 to 40 minutes to ride 5 miles whereas an experienced biker would require 15 to 20 minutes to ride 5 miles.
Beginner cyclists avoid using highly optimized bikes and usually maintain a speed of 10mph with their usual bikes. So, they take longer to finish 5 miles. On the other hand, a professional biker keeps the speed in the range of 15mph to 21mph by using optimized bikes.
That was all for your question. However, you can stay if you want to learn more about your question: how long does it take to bike 5 miles, what impacts the speed of bike and how can you improve the bike ride timing?
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How long does it take to bike 5 miles and how to improve it?
This huge difference in time that I mentioned above does not happen on its own. Certain factors play a key role in this. So, I am going to talk about all these factors in detail below!
Factors that Impact the Speed of Riding 5 Miles on a Bike
1. Fitness of a Rider
Fitness is extremely essential because it allows you to pedal with fewer efforts, so you get more speed. You can think of it like this. When you just start exercising, you hardly do it for 15-20 minutes in a day and soon feel tired. But, with consistency, a time comes when exercising for 2-3 hours does not exhaust you at all. So, the same is the case with biking as well.
The more fitness a cyclist has, the less time he will take to overcome 5 miles. On the other side, covering these 5 miles for a less fit biker will be more like a challenge than an adventure.
In addition to strengthening your lower body, legs, and hips, biking is also considered the best cardio workout one can do. So, if you plan to shorten the time you take to ride 5 miles, the secret is to bike more and you are bound to see the results.
2. Cycling Terrain
The trail or track you are riding also affects your speed and determines how quickly you can travel 5 miles. Usually, going uphill is difficult because you have to apply more force and pedal with effort.
Now, if you pedal on paved roads, you can attain maximum speeds. However, for uneven terrains, maximum speed is difficult to achieve due to the bumps, sharp turns, or rocks you are going to come across during your ride.
3. Type of a Bike
You’ll find various forms of bikes, all serving different needs. We have bikes such as road bikes, hybrid bikes, and mountain bikes.
Road bikes are flat roads specific and provide more speed than mountain bikes as they are light. But, you cannot take it for mountains as it lacks traction. Their narrow tires lower rolling resistance and provide an average speed of 16mph. You may also be looking for an answer about: can you ride a mountain bike on the road.
Mountain bikes have heavy frames as they mostly deal with ups and downs throughout the ride but their speed is relatively low. Their wide tires give you an average speed of 10mph.
Hybrid bikes are for both on-road and off-road riding needs. Their speed is somewhere in between the speed of a mountain and a road bike.
You can also read a detailed comparison of cross country bike vs trail bike
Moving further, you’ll also want to know how you can increase your bike’s speed and cover 5 miles in a shorter span. The next part is going to be about that. However, you can also read an answer of a frequently asked question by reader: Is cycling good for Si joint pain.
Tip: As a beginner cyclist, you should also read one of the best bike maintenance book
How can you increase your bike’s speed to cover a distance of 5 miles?
By keeping the following things in mind, you can achieve more speed:
Bike
Some bikes are for speeding while others are only for riding uphill or downhill. Therefore, it is vital that you only select the type of bike that can give you the speed of your choice. Do you know uphill bike riding is also known as enduro mountain biking.
Hybrid bikes, cyclocross bikes, and road bikes assist in achieving more speed. While mountain and cruiser bikes cannot do so as they are not made for speeding.
Tires
Pumped tires reduce the rolling resistance of the bike. So always keep them pumped up before going for a bike ride because tires with maximum air pressure make your legs generate more power. As a result, your bike speed increases. Have a look at recommended mountain bike tire pressure guide.
Total Weight
Total weight means you plus the bike’s weight and any gear you are carrying along. You need to decrease it to reach more speed.
Riding Position
When a rider optimizes his position on the bike, he will experience less drag making him speed more. Professional riders know what riding position they need to keep for reaching the maximum speed possible.
You might want to read the next discussed questions to help you understand the topic even better. You can also read about how long does it take to bike 10 miles.
Watch a Video Guide To Improve Your Average Speed On A Road Bike
FAQs about Cycling 5 Miles
How long does it take the average person to bike 5 miles?
An average person takes about 30-40 minutes to bike 5 miles. However, know that factors like the type of bike, terrain ridden, and the physique of the rider also impact this time.
How long does it take to mountain bike 5 miles?
Mountain biking usually takes more time than on-road biking as you come across descents, rocks, climbs, etc. On an estimate, it can take 20-45 minutes.
How long does it take to casually bike 5 miles?
Casually biking for 5 miles can take about 30 minutes. You’ll travel with a speed of 10mph (similar to a newbie rider) and pedal casually around without any burden.
How long does it take to bike 5 miles on a stationary bike?
As a stationary bike has more to do with burning calories than going on-road or off-road, it takes about 25 minutes to do 5 miles. The more you pedal, the more calories you will burn.
Final Thoughts about 5 Mile Bike Ride
You might be thinking about the difficulty that comes with biking for 5 miles especially if you are a beginner. If you ask me, it is not impossible. Yes, it takes more time as a beginner but you are likely to achieve it if you are consistent. To get the most out of your ride, try to start from a casual place and take breaks in between. When you start as a newbie, 30 minutes for 5 miles is fine. This time will eventually shorten the more you cycle.
Hi, This is Catharine Pendrel, a professional cyclist and founder of Bikeoure. I have been riding bikes for more than 23 years and writing about cycling and other outdoor magazines for about 5 years. Mountain biking has been my passion ever since I first came across it a decade ago. I participated in various MTB tournaments and won numerous mountain trail races.
I started Bikeoure to share my expertise and cycling experience with cyclists all around the world to make them addicted to cycling. My cycling and solo traveling expertise help new cyclists find the best and latest gear in the market for their cycling adventures.