Is there a certain amount a physically fit person should be able to bike?

No, I mountain bike frequently and am in good physical shape but I have crappy endurance. It’s genetic, I’m a sprinter and have different muscle type than people who are good at endurance. I struggle with an 8 min mile but can still run a 100m in around 12 sec, a quarter mile under 60 sec. Typically though if I pace myself 15 miles out on the trail is a “good” ride. It varies for everyone.

As to tour biking, 100 mi., or 160 km in one day. I figure if I could do it as a 40 year-old smoker, any average person could.

The recommended pace for long distance—in any gear—is 60 pedal revolutions per minute, or the average speed of a healthy heartbeat at rest..

I think it depends on the slope (if any), if there are rests, the temperature outside, if the person has water, etc. Many factors.

I am not an avid bicyclist more of a hiker and swimmer and I will answer based on my own experience and from being physically fit. Since hiking, swimming, yoga some weight training all keep me physically fit, I find a 5 mile bike ride to be a decent distance to feel like I had a good ride. At 56 yrs old or even in my 40’s, bike rides of 10–15 miles is doable but will be pushing it and will result in arms, legs and ass sufficiently sore enough to discourage me from doing that again anytime soon.

On the other hand my next door neighbor who is overweight and looks anything but physically fit would weekly go on 125 mile bike rides with his riding group and clearly has had years of long distance riding under his belt and a $3,000 bike to help make those rides doable. Riding my tandem bike with my wife who likes to sightsee rather than peddle makes anything over 5 miles a real ball buster.

@Cruiser “Riding my tandem bike with my wife who likes to sightsee rather than peddle makes anything over 5 miles a real ball buster.”

Is that literally or figuratively? :-)

I’ll make a guess that a moderately fit person should be able to ride a 40 pound recreational bike (in good mechanical condition) 15 mph for 25 miles nonstop (on a flat surface with no wind).

@Cruiser you’re likely a sprinter also.

@janbb Literally. The tandem bike was the best purchase we ever made….sooooo fun to ride and when she does peddle it is easier to ride than the hybrids we each have.

@ARE_you_kidding_me Only in the pool!

I consider myself a moderately fit person, and I commute daily to work by bike. I average 12–15 mph for my 7.5 mile ride, depending on weather, traffic, etc., of course. I’m in Seattle so we have some hills, and my bike is a fairly light cyclocross bike with fenders, racks, lights, pump and other accessories, so it’s by no means a lightweight bike, but most likely lighter than an average recreational bike.

I’ve ridden some long distance and feel I am more limited on the amount of time my ass can handle being on a bike seat. For longer distance rides, it’s important to find the right pace for you to maintain for the long haul.

Reading along with interest.

I used to do a lot of bike riding. Then,none.

Then – I thought I’d take it up again. Was convinced to buy a super-powerful double-wishbone suspension 26-speed mountain bike. The thing bounces when I stand next to it. It was a stupid buy. I never took it off the block. It scared me. I put it in the basement.

A few weeks ago I gave it to a neighbour who likes to work on/mess with bikes. She was thrilled. Last week she brought me over an ancient CCM coaster bike. Likely the same model I had 50 years ago as a kid – but an adult size. I love it. Have taken it for a few little spins – once to the grocery store and back. I’d like to get my butt back up to 10 km rides regularly. The big lesson – swimming and dancing muscles are not at all the same as biking muscles.

:: Reality Klaxon :: You do not need to be physically fit to cycle, even long distances

Take off the training wheels @ucme and see just how far you can go! ~

I ride a unicycle naked to work every morning @Cruiser, fun fact ;-}

@ucme I sure hope you have one of your staff running along side you holding and umbrella to protect you from the sun….those naughty bits sunburn awfully quickly.

I borrowed it from our butler, he rides around the house serving tea & scones on a silver tray perched atop his sweating head.