What are the most miles have you ridden on your bicycle in one week?

Question

I'm starting to ride a lot and was just curious what the upper limits are for miles in a week (physically and realistically).
Anyone ever ride more than 250 miles in a week? Please describe the circumstances as well.

Answer 1

The most that I have ever ridden in one week is about 1000 miles. When I was racing I would average between 500-600 miles per week during training. It was no big deal to go out and do 125 miles a day.

Once I had an injury to my right leg, and I still did 700 miles the next week, using only my left leg. No joke. I had a few broken bones in my career, but none of them ever stopped me from riding.

About the only thing that could make me cut back on the miles was an inflamed bursa. The only way to get over an inflamed bursa is to stop riding. Fortunately it was during the off season, from lifting too many weights.

In those days if the coach told me to take a day off I would figure, hey, if I put in 100 miles before noon today, and than wait and put in 100 miles after noon tomorrow, than that's 24 hours between rides, and by golly that's a day off.

Don't get me wrong, you don't have to put in 600 miles a week to be a great cyclist. I've known really good cyclists who averaged less than 300 miles a week. It's as much about quality as it is about quantity. Some of us are just obsessive.

I always figured that if you can't be talented, than be tenacious. If you're lucky, people will mistake tenacity for talent. I was one who never had a whole lot of talent..

Answer 2

The upper limits are higher than you could imagine, the Race Across America riders hit over 2000 miles in a week. But let's talk about "average" riders like you and me... I'm by no means a great rider, but I enjoy getting out there a few times each week. I did 250 miles over three days during a charity event, it was tough, but can easily be done through good nutrition, training and pace. I've found that training in the hills is the best thing for me, when I put enough time in training on big hills, the longer rides just seem so much easier.

Answer 3

Heck, 250 miles is a light to moderate week for lots of racers. Figure the Tour de France averages over 100 miles a day... and those boys have to train for years before that.

When I was racing seriously I'd target 250 miles a week, and if ramping up for a long race would try to put in some 300 mile weeks.


(edit)
In your personal case, it all depends on how much time you can devote, and how much energy gets sucked into your day job, family etc. Eat right and get lots of sleep, and keep in mind that "big miles" is not the holy grail. These days I ride a lot fewer miles but I'm still pretty fast because I know how to train.
The Race Across America (RAAM) goes coast to coast and the winner Jure Robic rode 3042.8 miles in 8 days, 19 hours.

http://stats.raceacrossamerica.org/2007/reports/overview.html

Answer 4

Typical weeks are around 250 miles on the road bike, plus another 60 or so on the mountain bike. Every week of the year.

The longest distance in a 7 day span was 1790 miles (Halifax NS - Ottawa ON - Halifax NS). That's three days each direction, covering close to 300 miles/day, with a single rest day in the middle. Of course, back then I was young and foolish ... I don't think I could do that again at my age, simply because I wouldn't push myself that hard (even though I'm a better rider in terms of technique and overall speed now).

Answer 5

If you include the miles on an indoor trainer, I'm averaging about 400 per week so far this year. I commute to work by bike in the good weather and sneak out on my lunch break for a quick ride. And I try to hit the trainer at night for a while. Tomorrow, I'll be in a 12 hour race where I hope to complete 200+ miles, which would put this week's total over 700, that would be my highest weekly total ever.

Answer 6

In charity rides, I typically do 400-500 miles in a week; but I only do one of these rides a year.
All time high, AIDSlifeCycle6 (From San Francisco to Los Angeles), 585 miles. But I ended up with an "overuse" injury. : - o

If you're just starting to ride, 100 miles per week is a good target. It takes *a lot* of time to ride more than that.

Answer 7

I used to ride from chicago to suburbs further & further and 10 to 20 extra miles a trip worked for me. the point here is, it depends how healthy you are what you can endure. once I rode 100 Miles non stop got off and my legs cramped so bad I was forced to get back on and pedal slowly for a while before I could get off again- You need to take it slow and build up to it- Stay hydrated!

Answer 8

i just started a training log this year. the most miles ive done in a week was 130miles. did i mention that i ride a 28lb mountain bike?
my area is very hilly also. this week had exceptionally good weather. normally i ride between 50 and 100 miles per week.

Answer 9

Most I've ever done in a week is 100 miles.

My husband on the other hand averages about 300 miles a week!! Combo of road and dirt!

Answer 10

I used to race fairly seriously and many weeks i would log over 300 miles of riding depending on what point in the season it was or where I was in my fitness cycle.