Planning Daily Bike Touring Distances

If you’re new to bike touring, you might wonder how far you can cycle in one day on tour.

It’s impossible to come up with a number that will suit everyone. Much depends on your style of touring and the terrain. Some luck is involved too, especially when it comes to weather.


Take your time and admire the views along the way. Don’t rush your tour, unless you really have to.

Over the course of our 3-year world tour, our longest day was 162km (fuelled by emotion, the day we completed our global loop) and our shortest was just 3km, when we crossed the border into Iran, on a bitterly cold winter day, and headed straight for a hotel.

On average, we found 75-80km to be a good daily distance to aim for. It was big enough to give us the feeling of real progress, yet small enough that there was always time for a leisurely lunch or a bit of sightseeing.

Every day is different though. If we had a big mountain climb ahead, we might only expect to cover 50km. If a good tailwind appeared, we’d plan on 100km or more.

No matter what our plans, we always stayed flexible. If you get too hung up on distance, you miss out on opportunities like the chance to meet friends along the way or see local sights.

What does this mean as you plan your next tour? Here’s our advice.

1. A starting distance of 60km per day is a good goal if you haven’t bike toured before. You may well go further but aiming low means you’ll have time to get used to the new routines of bike touring, without feeling pressured to cover a big distance.

2. Whatever distance you decide on, leave 1-2 days per week of touring as rest days. On a shorter tour of 10-15 days, you might be able to cycle every day, but the longer your planned trip, the  more important it is to give your body a regular rest.

3. Stay open to changes in your plans. You might expect to go a certain distance on any given day but if bad weather, fatigue or a chance encounter means ending a day early is the better option, that’s okay too. You can always make it up the next day or take public transport to make up the difference.

Have you been on a few bike tours? Why not leave a comment and tell us how far you normally go in an average day on tour?

You might also like to read our general notes on route planning for a bike tour, in our bike touring resources section.

Comments

  1. reuben
    22nd March 2010 at 8:46 pm #

    on our past short tours, we averaged between 80-100km a day (usually on the shorter side of that), fully loaded.

    while planning for our upcoming year-long tour, we are shooting for a 90km average, dropping that to a 60km average through more mountainous terrain or rough roads. taking 1 or 2 rest days per week.

    the key for us is being open to change on daily distances — a major factor when cycling with kids in tow!

    • friedel
      23rd March 2010 at 1:11 pm #

      How old are your kids Reuben? Hope they’ll be helping to pedal! I’m quite impressed that you’re shooting for 90km/day. Seems like a lot to me but maybe your legs are stronger than mine 🙂

      • reuben
        23rd March 2010 at 3:09 pm #

        haha! i wish they were old enough to pedal! they will be 2 and 4 years old when we leave on our trip.

        90km days have worked for us on previous tours, so that is what we are using to plan our preliminary route. if that doesnt work, we will switch it up and find a pace that does work.

        planning our route/pace in advance helps us quite a bit, even if we don’t end up sticking to our goals.

  2. Family on Bikes
    22nd March 2010 at 11:10 pm #

    I think you hit the nail on the head when you said to remain flexible. And that we are all unique and will find varying amounts comfortable. We tour as a family with two kids and have found that a much slower pace is better for us all – we aim for 50-70 km if conditions are good and much less in mountains or against headwinds. We also find we like to take every third day off.

    Yes, we have done days much longer than that and we have cycled every day for three weeks in a row – but we don’t like to tour that way. By aiming for shorter days and more days off, all four of us are happier!

    Nancy
    http://www.familyonbikes.org

  3. Tom Allen
    23rd March 2010 at 4:37 am #

    In Europe I think I averaged around 50km a day. Any more than that and I would never have had the unforgettable social experiences that made that trip so precious. I had no time limit and rarely considered how far I rode.

    More recently in the Middle East I think about 100km a day was more likely – big empty spaces, being alone and having someone to come back to made the experience very different. I had my cycle computer stolen so I don’t know any exact distances, but according to roadside km markers I put in 350km in 2 days out of necessity where I had limited water supplies. I can’t say I enjoyed it!

    Cycle touring gives you enormous flexibility and I don’t think that targets or averages are always healthy. I’m happiest doing short days where it’s worth spending time off, and long days elsewhere to make the progression towards fresh experiences. It’s a shame to turn down invitations or spontaneous side trips because of a target you set in the morning. Having said that, the mind likes to have a target and sometimes there are difficult psychological fixations to overcome when you’re on the road!

  4. friedel
    25th March 2010 at 2:16 pm #

    Tom, at first 50km a day sounded quite small to me, but then I thought about the times we really wanted to get somewhere and turned down a cup of tea or a chance to spend more time with someone. When we did stop, usually those memories turned out to be the best of the trip, so I’m coming round to your way of thinking!

    Your advice sounds similar to what Tara & Tyler are doing – they have gorgeous photos (like many of yours I’ve seen on Flickr) and I note that in this entry from a 110km day, they say they didn’t stop to take any pictures. Their normal distance is also 60km a day, to allow for photo taking and other joys.

  5. Amaya
    26th March 2010 at 3:31 pm #

    Thanks for the article, Friedel–it´s got me thinking.

    Slowing down is sound advice, but not always easy in practice. Sometimes I get obsessed with counting kilometers. Biking to exhaustion is rarely fun, but does give some sense of satisfaction I must admit.

    Our overall average is 100 kilometers per day.
    Often we just keep going becase there´s no nice place to stop, just noisy provincial market towns with hotels next to bars with blaring music. And I find it difficult to ask people for a place to camp early afternoon–they just don´t understand why you don´t push on to the next town.

    Maybe it´s best to think about hours in the saddle rather than kilometers. Up to 6 hours pedaling I´m fine, but after that I definitely start getting cranky.

  6. Graeme Willgress
    29th January 2011 at 9:24 am #

    Being a ‘newby’ after 20 years away, I find the slower I go, the more things happen and the more people I meet, a bit like Tom really. I’ll be starting ‘Round Britain-Ride2Recovery’ at about 50km to give me the chance of settling in. I wont ever do more than 80KM, unless I have a really strong following wind!! I tend to ride the same distance every day regardless (about 60KM) which gives me lots of R&R, if it’s an easy day, the tent will be pitched mid-afternoon.If I know it’ll be really hilly, I try to leave a bit earlier, so I still arrive mid afternoon. In Wales, there wern’t many easy days, but on the one I had, the tent was up by 2pm giving me time to sunbathe, write, eat and chat to all the happy campers.The earliest finish, after a really early start, & saw me 60km away at 11am, because I wanted to see a friend who was going away. I wouldnt repeat that, as I just pedaled and didnt really take much in, and that’s not why I do it 🙂

  7. Rich
    1st May 2012 at 3:59 pm #

    haha i’m currently in Spain trying to figure this out. I did 100 km yesterday and it wiped me out. First day out though. I’m trying to tame it down, however locations for sleep (hotel/hostel/camping) are only supportive every so many kilometres.

    I’m learning to become more flexible. Warmshowers and Couchsurfing people require much lead time, so I’m trying to push for shorter times with understanding from potential hosts. I find I don’t like hostels because of loud kids and packed rooms. 12 people per room means doors open at midnight when I want to hit the road early early when the best riding happens.

    I will be focussing on 50 km leaving about 8am, if the Spanish are around during that time. Their hours also mean leaving a hotel can be difficult in the morning. Afternoon means 2 – 5pm, businesses are closed. But lunches are the main meal of the day, which can be good on the bike. I’d like time to shower, do laundry, service the bike, maybe go out for dinner. That means my current 8-hour tiring rides can’t happen. At least at my pace.

    Great post. Thanks for all the comments too, as it helps.

  8. spyros
    12th September 2013 at 2:43 pm #

    I plan about 50km per day, not more, in order to enjoy the scenery and the locals.

  9. Kristin
    18th January 2014 at 5:53 am #

    Great comments! Very helpful. I’m planning my first cycle tour with my 1 year old and have been trying to figure out how many km I should expect on average. I think i’ll aim at 50 per day for 4 – 5 days a week.

  10. Pamela
    28th January 2015 at 12:13 pm #

    My son just knocked on my door cycled home, left his house at 7 here at 11pm DID 291Km!!! on his dads 35 year old Holdsworth with just a spanner and an innnertube…..he’s sleeping now!!

  11. Accophyhkct
    13th November 2021 at 1:27 am #

  12. tuperqza
    14th November 2021 at 6:48 pm #

    plaquenil dosage chlorochin

  13. Accophymrjy
    14th November 2021 at 6:48 pm #

    https://hydroaaralen.com/ chloroquine for lupus

  14. Accophywueh
    16th November 2021 at 5:00 pm #

  15. Accophysttm
    29th November 2021 at 2:30 pm #

    https://hydroaralenus.com/ buy chloriquine

  16. Accophyyebv
    3rd December 2021 at 1:53 am #

    https://chloroquinesand.com/

  17. ttbggy
    10th May 2022 at 10:28 pm #

    plaquenil drug class chloroquine 500 mg

  18. ShaynaOiEn
    14th July 2022 at 5:07 pm #

    doctoral dissertation defense
    dissertation fellowships
    electronic engineering dissertation ideas

  19. MabelleOiEn
    26th July 2022 at 11:15 am #

    master dissertation
    help me
    dissertation abstracts

  20. JenneeOiEn
    27th July 2022 at 9:13 am #

    dissertation consulting
    edd dissertation topics
    writing services

    • abilkleshv
      1st September 2022 at 10:06 am #

      medicaments contenant des sulfites pharmacie lafayette ramonville pharmacie avignon pierre semard , pharmacie huyghe amiens medicaments keto , pharmacie en ligne sans frais de port medicament wystamm pharmacie de garde marseille dimanche 13 septembre 2020 therapie comportementale et cognitive versailles grande pharmacie aix en provence pharmacie ouverte besanГ§on .
      pharmacie ouverte nantes pharmacie du soleil boulogne billancourt pharmacie ouverte roubaix , therapies geniques definition pharmacie becker monteux avis . therapies cognitivo-comportementales et sexotherapies pharmacie buchet bourges rife therapies pharmacie de garde nc . pharmacie en ligne tunisie pharmacie de garde wimereux therapie de couple en ligne , pharmacie bordeaux stalingrad pharmacie de garde istres , pharmacie en ligne hyeres pharmacie ouverte proche de chez moi therapie de couple orne Recherche Microsoft Excel 2021 moins cher, Microsoft Excel 2021 bon marchГ© Microsoft Excel 2021 prix Suisse Acheter Microsoft Excel 2021 en Suisse Microsoft Excel 2021 prix Suisse. therapies breves formation pharmacie de garde ile rousse pharmacie ouverte givors pharmacie de garde wissembourg fax pharmacie beaulieu sur layon , pharmacie de garde bailly pharmacie ouverte orly . therapies breves toulouse therapie cognitivo comportementale avignon pharmacie amiens saint roch

  21. HestiaOiEn
    29th July 2022 at 9:59 pm #

    dissertation abstracts
    dissertation assistance
    writing a dissertation abstract

  22. HonorOiEn
    7th August 2022 at 3:29 pm #

    vpn configuration windows free
    free vpn for ipad
    pia vpn download

  23. TeddieOiEn
    8th August 2022 at 11:18 am #

    kim komando best vpn
    best vpn?
    whats a vpn

  24. MarrileeOiEn
    9th August 2022 at 8:01 am #

    vpn software free
    kodi vpn
    free vpn firestick

  25. JenneeOiEn
    9th August 2022 at 7:16 pm #

    strong vpn
    how to get a free vpn
    vpn for windows 10 free

  26. JenneeOiEn
    10th August 2022 at 4:35 pm #

    best vpn for torrents
    vypr vpn buy
    free vpn reviews

  27. AshleighOiEn
    11th August 2022 at 12:25 pm #

    buy indian vpn
    vpn reviews
    best vpn on windows

  28. LaurellaOiEn
    13th August 2022 at 7:40 am #

    small business vpn device
    buy vpn paypal
    free vpn for firestick

  29. SheelaghOiEn
    14th August 2022 at 1:42 pm #

    kroger vpn
    india vpn free
    best free vpn reddit 2022

  30. SheelaghOiEn
    15th August 2022 at 9:50 am #

    best secure vpn for mac
    free youtube vpn
    free vpn to change location

  31. GladiOiEn
    23rd August 2022 at 3:05 pm #

    gay nsa dating ratings
    dating transwoman gay
    free dating for bi and gay men

  32. gralion torile
    13th September 2022 at 2:50 am #

    Just about all of the things you mention happens to be astonishingly legitimate and that makes me wonder why I hadn’t looked at this in this light previously. This piece really did switch the light on for me personally as far as this topic goes. Nevertheless at this time there is actually one particular factor I am not too comfy with so whilst I try to reconcile that with the core theme of the position, let me see exactly what the rest of your visitors have to say.Well done.

  33. fasilitas belajar
    24th September 2022 at 3:06 pm #

    But wanna admit that this is very useful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.

  34. ดินสอเขียนคิ้ว
    24th September 2022 at 4:02 pm #

    I like this site its a master peace ! Glad I observed this on google .

  35. เซรั่ม
    25th September 2022 at 2:33 am #

    Along with the whole thing that appears to be developing within this subject material, your opinions are actually very radical. Nevertheless, I beg your pardon, because I can not subscribe to your entire strategy, all be it radical none the less. It appears to me that your comments are not totally validated and in actuality you are generally yourself not really entirely certain of the assertion. In any case I did appreciate reading it.

  36. ArturoFar
    26th September 2022 at 10:06 am #

    winch
    iron
    complaint

    bag33ondu.com

    bag33ondu.com

    http://bag33ondu.com

    courteous
    representative
    protect

  37. roller shades
    27th September 2022 at 4:51 am #

    Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.

  38. JacksonAlill
    30th September 2022 at 1:20 pm #

    ani kilo kaybД± zararlarД±kaslardan kilo kaybД± kilo kayb? nefes darl?g? yeni doДџan bebeklerde kilo kaybД± nedenlerieЕџlerden birinin Г¶lmesi ile kilo kaybД± normal midir bilimsel aГ§Д±klama
    iki veya ГјГ§ kilo kaybД± hastalД±k belirtisimidirmelanom ve kilo kaybД± bypass sonras? kilo kayb? tembeller iГ§in hД±zlД± kilo kaybД±ck deДџeri yГјksekliДџi kilo kaybД±
    kilo kaybД± ve hipertansiyonhamilelikte kilo kaybД± nedenleri ibs kilo kayb? diz aДџrД±sД± ve kilo kaybД±ani kilo kaybД± yГјz
    kilo kaybД± iЕџtahsД±zlД±k su iГ§mekilo kaybД± ve mide bulantД±sД± concerta kilo kayb? kilo kaybД± stresegzama kilo kaybД± yaparmД±
    vucutta istemsiz kilo kaybД± stresfutbolcularda kilo kaybД± ramazanda kilo kayb? kilo kaybД± hipoglisemisabahlarД± kusmak kilo kaybД± baЕџ dГ¶nmesi

  39. aliejaus nauda
    7th October 2022 at 4:42 am #

    I do enjoy the manner in which you have presented this concern plus it does indeed provide me some fodder for thought. However, from what precisely I have seen, I just simply hope as the actual feed-back pack on that people today continue to be on issue and not get started on a soap box associated with some other news of the day. All the same, thank you for this fantastic piece and even though I do not concur with the idea in totality, I value your perspective.

  40. MarrisOiEn
    15th November 2022 at 5:00 pm #

    argumentative essay helper
    essay writing website reviews
    service to others essay

  41. MartyOiEn
    19th November 2022 at 7:13 pm #

    buy an essay online
    act essay help
    custom application essay

  42. Psicólogo en Málaga
    27th November 2022 at 4:34 pm #

    I too conceive so , perfectly written post! .

  43. Ruby Read
    29th November 2022 at 3:22 pm #

    Last August, pleasure boaters swarmed the Dragon capsule carrying two astronauts. NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins said everyone is putting “a lot of emphasis” on keeping the area clear this time.

  44. party rentals McAllen TX
    4th December 2022 at 11:53 am #

    🎯 เว็บเดียวจบ ครบทุกการลงทุน🎮 เว็บตรง ไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์📣 เล่นง่าย ไม่ต้องโยกเงิน🎯 การเงินมั่นคง ไม่มีประวัติโกง📱ระบบดี มีสาวๆ บริการดี ตลอดทั้งวัน ทั้งคืน🙏🙏

  45. for more information
    5th December 2022 at 2:43 am #

    Bunny mp40 new m1014 parment and cobra bundleand al emote all elite go and both equally bunde male and feminine In case you have difficultiesFree Fire Account Free 2021 Garena Accounts And PasswordFree Fire Account Free

  46. for more information
    16th December 2022 at 11:26 am #

    These offer a selection of sizes to decide on from. There is a Small Double, Large and Extra-Large wallet, though each you’ve got limited capacity.

  47. Schuyler Shah
    29th December 2022 at 1:55 am #

    Direct Legally Macrobid Bacterial Infections Discount

  48. Stock Research
    29th December 2022 at 3:40 pm #

    st andrews apartments one bedroom apartment the logan apartments

  49. Matt Leitz review
    6th January 2023 at 12:14 am #

    [email protected]

  50. 구로풀싸롱
    9th January 2023 at 4:42 pm #

    Looking forward to reading more. Great blog. Really Cool.

  51. sex 人形
    10th January 2023 at 8:06 pm #

    ラブドール 評判の悪いセックス人形の家、コロナウイルス19の別の決定

  52. Cryptocurrency Exchange
    12th January 2023 at 3:38 pm #

    weight loss is sometimes difficult to attain, it all depends on your motivation and genetics;

  53. Jnerswemo
    28th March 2023 at 3:56 pm #

    masters thesis thesis and dissertation comparison essay thesis

  54. Ewnswoto
    28th March 2023 at 6:49 pm #

    argument thesis how to cite a thesis chicago thesis statement layout

  55. QeeEmpom
    28th March 2023 at 7:18 pm #

    luthers 95 thesis writing a graduate thesis barrett thesis defense

  56. 2-stroke engine repair
    29th March 2023 at 3:25 am #

    I value the post. Fantastic.

  57. tree removal
    30th March 2023 at 2:44 am #

    I cannot thank you enough for the article.

Leave a comment