Are you ready to bike your first 20 miles?

Biking your first 20 miles is a big deal in the cycling world. Twenty miles is a lot if you’ve never ridden that amount. Many new cyclists struggle with completing 20 miles, and it’s because they do the wrong things, which are easy to do.

However, I can show you how to easily bike your first 20 miles, so you can feel stronger and more confident about your cycling experience.

After you read this guide, you’ll be finishing up your 20-mile cycling milestone in no time without it being a bad experience in the process.

Why 20 Miles is the Perfect First Goal

It’s a really good first goal to bike your first 20 miles, as it’s easy to do but still requires some effort on your part.

Riding 20 miles on a bike will build confidence and give you some great endurance. This kind of goal is a small win, too, meaning you can complete it faster and feel like you’re actually accomplishing something. Small wins should always be included in your cycling training strategy.

It’s going to take you about 4 weeks to successfully bike your first 20 miles if you want to do it the right way. I won’t lie to you. You’ll need to be able to train every week, with multiple sessions per week.

After biking 20 miles, the physical and mental benefits will overwhelm you with confidence and joy.

What You’ll Need Before You Bike Your First 20 Miles

You’ll need to check off some basic tasks and gear requirements before you start to bike your first 20 miles.

The first thing you need to do is get a decent bike after you get a bike fit. By decent, I mean something that is going to last. Get fitted before buying the bike to ensure you get one that is specifically designed for your size and body type, as there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach in the bicycle world.

Buy a pair of padded cycling shorts or bib shorts. These should be the tight-fitting spandex kind, as they will help prevent friction, drag, and chafing. You may also want to consider a pair of cycling gloves to prevent hand numbness and blisters.

Make sure you bring plenty of nutrition and hydration on your ride. You need to drink a full bottle of water every hour or so. You’ll also want to eat your snacks to help refuel yourself so you can finish the ride without feeling too fatigued.

Make sure to perform a thorough safety check of your bike before riding your first 20 miles. Check the tires, brakes, and your bike chain. I recommend taking your bike to a local bike shop and having them check it for the best results.

4-Week Training Plan to Bike Your First 20 Miles

Now let’s jump right into the fun part – your 4-week training plan to bike your first 20 miles.

Week 1: Building the Foundation

Week one is all about laying the foundation for riding 20 miles on your bike.

Begin by taking easy bike rides to build confidence. Ride at least 3 days a week at a relaxed pace. Do some 5–8-mile bike rides with a rest day, followed by easier walking or simple Yoga to stretch.

During this time, focus on improving your form on the bike. You should also go through your shifters and learn how they work. Finally, focus on comfort in the saddle as you might need to add a chamois lubricant to your routine.

Week 2: Increasing Your Endurance

Now that you’ve built a basic biking foundation, it’s time you start increasing your endurance as a cyclist.

Maintain a steady pace on your bike rides, but start adding more distance to them. Ride 3 to 4 days a week with a longer ride of about 10 to 12 miles in distance with some hills and very gentle inclines.

Practice eating and drinking while riding your bike without needing to stop.

Week 3: Building Stamina and Confidence

During week 3, you’ll start building your stamina and confidence to bike your first 20 miles.

Start riding closer to 15 miles a day while focusing on improving your overall cycling efficiency. Ride at least 4 days a week with 2 moderate rides, 1 longer 15-mile ride, and a short recovery ride.

Practice pacing and breathing techniques this week.

Week 4: Bike Your First 20 Miles

It’s week 4, and you’re now ready to bike your first 20 miles because you’ve successfully built yourself up to winning this goal.

Taper off early in the week and prepare for your big ride. Choose a weekend or your days off to bike your first 20 miles. This will give you plenty of time to focus on the ride, rather than worrying about the time you have to complete it.

Plan your route for better organization, make sure you bring plenty of snacks for fuel, and be sure you hydrate regularly.

Tips for Success on Your First 20-Mile Ride

Don’t start too fast. Aim for a steady pace. Increase it as you become more proficient.

Take short breaks if needed, but try to stay in the saddle and keep moving.

Fuel purposefully. Eat some of your snacks every 45 to 60 minutes. Make sure to stay hydrated for the best ride possible.

Be sure to check your bike before and after your ride to ensure it is in good working order.

Listen to your body. You know your body, strengths, and weaknesses more than anyone else. Make sure to take a break when your body is screaming for it.

What’s Next After 20 Miles

After you’ve biked your first 20 miles, continue to work on additional cycling goals to further strengthen your biking abilities.

Maintain your new fitness level. You can achieve this by setting 20 miles as your new bike riding distance. The more you ride that amount, the easier it will become.

Set more cycling goals. Consider planning to bike a century ride, which is 100 miles, or opt for a metric century. You might also set goals to participate in a group ride or commute to work or school by bike.

Continue to strengthen your cycling skills by riding more miles and exploring new routes.

Final Thoughts

Utilizing the 4-week plan above will get you to bike your first 20 miles in no time.

I would love to hear from you. When you reach this goal, please comment and let me know your thoughts. Also, share any additional tips you have for cyclists to be able to finish their first 20-mile bike ride.

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