It takes anywhere from four to ten hours to cycle a hundred miles for most bike riders, but there are ways to make it faster and easier. Riding in a group helps you stay positive.
Plus, it can save on energy by drafting, which takes advantage of vehicles ahead of you as a windbreak and a speed boost. How do you cycle 100 miles in 5 hours?
The easiest way to ride 100 miles in 5 hours is to team up with other cyclists and travel as a group. By taking turns at the front and drafting, you can save a lot of energy, which lets you go further and faster. Solo cyclists can also achieve this goal, but they must work much harder.
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How To Cycle 100 Miles In 5 Hours
Cycling a hundred miles in five hours is not as complicated as it sounds. First, you need to build up enough speed to reach and maintain a twenty-mile-per-hour pace.
Without this skill set, the math simply won’t work. It will take you longer to travel the same distance if you move slower.
Once you can handle the pace, build endurance. If you are traveling with a group, it is vital to work together as a team and take turns at the front of the group.
Either way, once you have the speed and endurance, there’s not much else to it.
Eat a carb-heavy meal that isn’t going to weigh you down.
According to Gainful, “When you’re looking for a quick energy fix, try snacking on fruits like bananas, grapes, watermelon, dates, and peaches. Bagels, rice cakes, and crackers will also do the trick, as will white potato, sweet potatoes, and yams.”
These are all fast-digesting carbs that will offer you the energy you need so your blood sugar doesn’t drop due to too much exertion and energy expenditure.
Is It Possible Cycle 100 Miles In 5 Hours
It is challenging to cycle 100 miles in 5 hours. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Traveling the requisite twenty-plus miles per hour is something most people in reasonably good health can work their way up to.
Even those who begin out of shape can see cycling to get fit and eventually cycle a five-hour, hundred-mile trip.
How Hard Is It To Cycle 100 Miles In 5 Hours
How hard it is to cycle 100 miles in 5 hours depends entirely on you. For one thing, health is a factor, and so is preparation.
If you dive in with only mediocre muscle tone and little planning, then you will almost certainly fail.
Likewise, it’s harder alone than in a group because of drafting, but also because groups help each other in less physical ways by bolstering each other’s confidence.
Choosing a route up a mountain or on rough, hilly terrain will also make it more difficult. Meanwhile, a smooth or downward inclined road is a lot easier.
Finally, wind and weather also affect how harsh your ride is. Planning ahead is about much more than picking out suitable clothing for the season and finding a maintained bike-friendly route.
What Is The Speed Of A Person Riding A Bike 100 Miles In 5 Hours
To ride 100 miles in 5 hours, you have to be going at least twenty miles per hour. However, I recommend planning for at least one or two stops, especially the first time.
Because these take time away from your five-hour goal, you need to average a little faster. Twenty-one to twenty-three miles per hour will give you ample time to take a couple of breaks.
How Many Calories Will I Burn Cycling 100 Miles In 5 Hours
The number of calories you burn depends on several factors.
For example, larger people, those carrying more weight, burn energy faster than slim or light people because it costs more energy to move a larger mass.
That said, there are some easy ways to calculate your calories.
You will need to average 20 miles per hour to finish 100 miles in 5 hours. The chart below offers a basic idea of how many calories people of different weights will burn traveling a hundred miles in five hours.
However, this will vary based on terrain, drafting, and individual health.
Cyclist Weight & Approximate Calories Burned
| Weight | Calories |
| 100 lbs | 3,763 |
| 125 lbs | 4,703 |
| 150 lbs | 5,644 |
| 175 lbs | 6,584 |
| 200 lbs | 7,525 |
| 225 lbs | 8,466 |
| 250 lbs | 9,406 |
| 275 lbs | 10,347 |
| 300 lbs | 11,288 |
How To Prepare To Cycle 100 Miles In 5 Hours
Riding a hundred miles is an essential milestone for anyone who wants to build endurance as a cyclist. It may seem daunting at first, but you can do it if you are well prepared.
Here are 8 easy steps you can take, other than building up muscle and stamina first, to prepare yourself to cycle 100 miles in 5 hours:
- Decide whether you will be going solo or traveling with a group. If you choose to ride with a group, you need to create or join one.
- Set your route. It’s a good idea to drive the road first and check the weather and traffic conditions where you plan to ride the day of your adventure.
- Plan and prepare high-energy, nutrient-rich food. You will need to eat well before you leave, take time to digest, and bring snacks to eat along the way. Carb-heavy, easy-to-digest meals are best for pre-cycling as they provide long-lasting energy and won’t leave you feeling empty too fast.
- Prepare yourself mentally. It may seem strange, but the human mind and mood’s power over our success rates are well documented. Set yourself up for success and stay positive.
- Stretch well before you leave. The benefits of stretching include lower chances of cramps and more relaxed muscles.
- Make sure you have water and any tools you might need packed in a small, low-profile bag or attached to your bike’s frame. You will need more water if it’s hot out.
- Put on sunscreen. It’s just common sense to protect your skin on a long ride.
- Finally, check out the video below and then go have fun.
Helpful Tips To Know About Cycling 100 Miles In 5 Hours
Although the idea of pedaling one hundred miles seems vast at first, it’s not some unachievable dream that only the elite can ever hope to accomplish.
Most people can cycle a hundred miles in five hours if they are willing to work to get ready for it physically.
Here are more helpful tips to know about cycling on hundred miles in five hours.
- There are approximately 3,500 calories in a pound of human fat. Cycling for five hours, when done safely, can help you lose weight and gain muscle. However, it can be dangerous if you don’t pay attention to what your body needs.
- Staying eating correctly before and after a long ride are essential. It’s easy to be underprepared, especially if it is your first time. I suggest planning a route where your final destination offers a chance to sit down and have a hearty meal.
- The proper cycling term for a hundred miles is a century.
- It’s a good idea to carry electrolyte powder on long rides and use it. However, please be careful with electrolyte drinks. They can help, but too much is still a bad thing. Drink two same-size water containers for every one of Gatorade, Powerade, or any similar electrolyte drink.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know about getting ready to cycle 100 miles and what to expect, you can try it yourself. Attitude and preparation are everything when it comes to cycling.
Once you have the stamina and drive, planning is easy. Pick a route, check the weather, eat right, bring water, tools, snacks, and sunscreen, and you’ll make it.
More importantly, if you don’t make a century the first time you try, you can always go again in a few weeks.
Remember, the bigger the group, the easier it is to travel long distances because you can draft, so everyone saves on energy.
