Miles Per Day

[CaptBionic]

Hola

   Im sure this has been addressed before so, for the sake of redundancy - I apologize however, I am researching a trip from St Augustine to Mobile, Alabama.  Assuming I am in good shape with a solid cycling base underneath me, how many miles is a realistic target?

I really appreciate your thoughts.....

Steve

[Cyclesafe]

Depends on fitness, terrain, and the amount of stuff you are carrying.  The geography you're referring to is relatively flat so if it were me and my 50 lb kit (inclusive of panniers and racks) I'd be riding 50 miles/day if I found the scenery interesting, 100 if I didn't.  But I'm pretty fit.

[RussSeaton]

Personally, for me, I find 60 miles per day the ideal distance to ride loaded per day.  Less than 60 miles and I start doubting myself.  Thinking I wasted the day by not riding far enough.  More than 60 miles and I start questioning whether I am having fun or simply working to put in the miles regardless.  Give or take 5 miles, I find 60 miles an ideal distance to ride loaded each day.  And unloaded too.  Anywhere between 50 and 80 miles is a good distance for each day.  You can start at a good time in the morning.  8 to 9 AM.  And finish in a good time in the afternoon.  3 to 5 PM.  Find a place to stay for the evening, get cleaned up, and get to supper before its too late.  And get back to camp or the motel in plenty of time and get to bed early.  60 miles.

[Pat Lamb]

In the flat terrain the OP mentions, I could probably do 50-80 miles per day with some regularity.  But if some stiff headwinds came up, I might be tired after 30.  After you pick a number for planning purposes, decrement it by 10-20% to allow for bad weather, fatigue, etc., and remember to have fun while riding!

[staehpj1]

I find it best to have an open ended schedule if at all possible.  That said I find I generally have averaged 60-80 miles per day including any days off, but terrain and folks tolerance for long mileage vary pretty widely.  Given the location of your tour the higher end of your range should be possible.

[DaveB]

That mileage of 60+/- per day seems like a general consensus of all of the travel articles I've read too and seems like a worthwhile distance to plan around. Even at only a 12mph average that only 5 hours/day on the bike and leaves plenty of time for sightseeing, photography, meals and just lazing around.

You can do less on a day with rain and/or headwinds and more if the conditions are favorable and there is nothing worth stopping for but 60 is a good average.  You will read about those who do 100+ miles a day every day but that seems to be an intent to just ride, not tour. 

[BikePacker]

Steve - Did that stretch about 7 years ago fully loaded and found that 50 - 60 miles per day worked nicely for me cause of the general flatness.  I remember being surprised at the hilly-ness of Tallahassee (sp?).  I noted that to the extent I wished to 'motel' there were mostly decent options every 50 miles.  The ACA maps were very accurate for my entire spin all the way you have bracketed.

[John Nelson]

You can do less on a day with rain and/or headwinds and more if the conditions are favorable.

I'm a great fan of doing 40-mile days into a headwind and 100-mile days with a good tailwind. Don't fight the weather--leverage it. But I'll usually keep riding if it's raining because riding in the rain can be quite enjoyable and sitting around in the rain can be quite boring.