Often, it takes twelve to fifteen minutes to cover a distance of three miles, especially if you ride 18 miles per hour. That time may increase or decrease depending on your expertise and other factors.
How Long Does It Take to Bike 3 Miles? This article will provide a specific estimate of the distance you can cover based on various factors and situations.
What Factors Affect How Long Does It Take to Bike 3 Miles?
Biking is a hobby for a few people and a professional for some. Other people like to drive bikes faster, while a few likes to drive slower. That’s why the answer to that question will differ from one person to the other.
The cycle capability differs from person to person. That’s why giving a particular answer to that question is difficult.
Below are the important factors determining the exact time to bike three miles.
1. The Biker’s Expertise Level
The time needed to cover a distance of 3 miles substantially depends on the biker’s experience level.
2. Professional Biker
Professional bikers can often maintain 25 to 30 miles per hour speed on a flat road. Biking at a rate of that speed takes less than eight minutes to cover a distance of 3 miles.
These professional bikers have also trained themselves to ride at such high speeds.
3. Athlete Biker
Consider the rider an athlete who’s a runner in the best shape. That means he can keep a higher speed.
He can pedal at 15 to 18 miles per hour and even higher. That will make him at least 12 to 15 minutes to bike 3 miles of distance at that speed.
4. Beginner Biker
Let’s say you are a beginner biker and have shifted 3 miles from your workplace. You have a bike but haven’t ridden it for years. Now, you want to purchase a bike to go to work.
You can estimate that more time is needed to cover those 3 miles. Right? Because your riding experience is at zero, your maximum speed on a flat road will be at least 12 to15 miles per hour.
With that speed, it will take approximately 25 to 30 minutes to cover a distance of 3 miles. Nonetheless, it’s recommended for beginners not to exceed the 10 miles per hour speed.
5. Bike Type
The bike on which you’re riding makes a big difference. For instance, you’ll go faster on a road bike with skinny tires and drop handlebars.
You’ll have to compromise with speed compared to a flat-bar hybrid bike with chunky tires or mountain bikes made for off-road riding.
You can cover a distance of 3 miles with a road bike than a hybrid or mountain bike.
6. Weather Conditions
Weather conditions significantly impact the speed and the average time to bike 3 miles. It may work in your favor if the weather is windy by increasing the rate by the tailwind propelling you.
Nonetheless, you will encounter issues in gaining momentum if you’re riding in its direction. Therefore, you’re losing speed and increasing the time.
Likewise, rain makes the surface muddy and slippery. For safety reasons, you must go at a slower speed. That will also increase the time you need to cover 3 miles.
7. Terrain
The surface you ride on affects the time needed to cover 3 miles. The surfaces may be hills, flat roads, or even downhills.
You can smoothly ride at an average speed of 15 miles per hour on a flat surface with a smooth road and without hurdles. It will take at least four to six minutes to cover a one-mile distance.
Meanwhile, the steeper path will take more time to cover 3 miles, especially if you’re riding on the hills. Thus, the time to cover 3 miles may be doubled, unlike on flat roads.
It will also take you less than five minutes to cover a distance of 3 miles on a downhill bike tide. That’s because gravity makes you ride faster on a downhill track. Also, the wind’s direction will increase.
8. Clothing
The type of clothes you wear while riding will impact how long it will take you to cover 3 miles.
It will help if you wear good quality bike shorts. This apparel is lightweight and will make you safe and comfortable when riding your bike. You can buy some quality bike shorts from Amazon.
Related: How To Measure A Mountain Bike Frame?
How Can I Cover 3 Miles Distance in a Shorter Time?
Here are some tips you can consider if you like to improve your riding skills. These strategies will enable you to ride 3 miles distance in a shorter period.
1. Use the Bike’s Gears More
Are you using your bike’s gears poorly? It will impact the speed of your entire ride. That means you will take more time to ride a distance of 3 miles.
Understanding how to efficiently and properly use your bike’s gears is important to help you ride smoothly and faster.
2. Increase Cadence
Cadence is the number of times you turn the pedals per minute. It’s more about pedaling fast than pedaling more.
You will improve the speed of your bike ride if you practice more quickly.
3. Brake Less
Braking less becomes your biking habit when you get used to the roads ahead. That habit is down to practicing on the roads and taking steps to hone your method.
4. Pedal More
It will help if you understand when to pedal and how much. Practicing more pedaling will help you feel confident on the bike.
Conclusion
To sum up, remember that it will take you at least 12 to 15 minutes to reach 3 miles. However, other factors will impact how long it will take you to reach that distance.
We tried to give you an idea of what factors can influence the speed and time to cover a distance of 3 miles on your bike. We hope you find this guide informative and useful as well. If you’re looking for a bike for a heavy person, consider reading our guide on the Best Bike for Heavy Riders.