Is it reasonable for a person who usually bikes short distances recreationally to sign up for a 20 mile bike for charity?

If it is for charity, why not? Unless you are very competitive, there is no rule to say that you must finish the 20 mile course. You can always stop half way if you feel that it is too much for you.



The most important thing is to have fun and feel good that you are doing something good.

Just make sure that the bicycle you will be cycling on is of the right fit for you. Even if you do not plan to ride to win, it is best that you learn how to prepare for it and to build up your stamina for the long distance ride.

You will find some of the information I shared in the following articles useful.

What are some good rules of thumb for starting out long-distance biking?
How can you ride a bicycle without getting tired?
Which is the best bicycle for long distance ride?
How many miles should I bicycle per day on a world tour?

What are some good rules of thumb for starting out long-distance biking?

Before you start out on a long distance ride, you must ensure that the bicycle you plan to ride on is of the right fit for you. If you want to have an enjoyable ride, read up about the kind of touring bicycles that are good for long distance ride as you will be required to carry a pannier for tools, spare tubes, food, drinks and other stuff that you may need on the journey.

If you expect that it will rain at places that you will be cycling to, be prepared for it. Make sure that you properly dressed for your ride.

However, if you plan to travel overseas on your bicycle, it maybe a good idea to consider getting a folding bike for ease of moving it on public transport. Find out how you can ship it internationally.
Do you have the stamina for it? Learn how you can build it up. You should also learn how to ride so that you will not tire yourself out sooner than you should. Cycling in bicycle-friendly countries can also reduce the stress of long distance rides.

Learn how to service your bicycle regularly and how to figure out what is wrong with it so that it can be maintained to run efficiently. The very basic that you must know is how to change your tyres and tubes.

For your own safety, make the following checks before you start your ride.
Checklist before going on a bike ride

Is BMX good for long rides?

Is BMX good for long rides?  That depends on the number of teeth on your chainring.

If you are buying a BMX for doing tricks, you would want to buy one with lesser number of teeth on it. This is so that you can start to ride off faster after doing your twists and turns. However, if you like to go a longer distance, if that is what you mean by long rides, choose one installed with larger number of teeth on chainrings, eg one with 48 teeth.

This is a GT BMX 43T (teeth) chainring. You should be able to find BMX with 28T (teeth) right up to 48T (teeth) chainring.



A BMX with larger wheel size instead of the common 20” will also help you cover more distance. You can calculate your gear ratio and how far you can go each revolution by knowing your wheel size, the number of teeth on your chainring and on your rear sprocket.

There is a table posted at link to article BMX Madness Gear Ratio and Sizing Charts which shows the distance you can cover based on the above information.  I have also extracted from the site to show you how that is calculated:

“For example, if your front sprocket is a 45 tooth, and your rear sprocket is a 16 tooth, then your gear ratio would be 2.8125 (45 divided by 16 = 2.8125). You then take that number (in this case 2.8125) and multiply it by 20 (the diameter of a BMX wheel). 2.8125 x 20 = 56.25 (the gear size). You can apply this simple formula to cruisers (BMX bikes with 24" wheels) by multiplying the gear ratio by 24 instead of 20.”

If "long rides" means ride for a longer period, you have to note that most BMX are made of steel to handle the stress of load during jumps from a height so it is a heavier bike to ride. Make sure that you choose a frame size that is suitable for your height. If the bike is too small, you are more likely to stand up to pedal, each time you want to relieve the fatigue on your legs. That will damage your pedals more quickly than they should.

Planning to tour on a bike?

What should you cycle on if you plan to ride for a longer distance?

If you plan to stay somewhere overnight enroute, you will need a bicycle that can carry the load of your pannier bags.  Do you have to travel by plane, train or car to get you to your cycling site?

Now that I got you thinking about it, following are some tips you should consider before you start on your journey.


Trekking Bicycle for Long Distance Ride from Nancy Poh

Enjoy the ride and the views.