I did a 23-mile bike ride on an unseasonably warm (70oF) November day. With this ride, I have now ridden 3,504 miles in 2008. My exercise log database also shows that this was done in 114 rides, thus averaging 30.7 miles per ride. The time records are somewhat approximate, but it looks like I averaged 16.9mph while on the bike (that is, not including stops). Some rides were shorter, such as 4-6 mile rides with the kids. Others were longer, including the Blue Ridge Brutal 100 (+Assault on Mt Jefferson option) and the Six Gap Century–both over 100 miles on paved mountain roads–and numerous 60-80 mile training rides in Orange, Chatham, and Alamance counties on Saturday mornings.
My mileage for 2006 was 3,457, though I gave myself credit for 3500 that year since I was having problems with my cyclometer and was not as diligent about recording all rides, like those with the kids. Also in 2006, that 3500- miles was in only 98 rides and over a shorter riding season. While it made my average ride longer (35.2 mi.), I felt I was almost always choosing to train when the opportunity conflicted with family events–soccer games, dinner with other family members, etc. Thus, in 2007, I reversed course and almost always chose family over training, but only got in 2500 miles. By spreading my riding out over more months and in a few more rides, I feel I achieved a much better balance.
While I haven’t given up riding for this year, I do not expect to get more than a few rides in now that the weather is colder more frequently and it is dark before I finish work. It is still possible to break 3600 miles with warm riding weather around Thanksgiving or Christmas, but I’m happy with the year as it is, and look forward to 2009.