It’s an interesting question to ponder on this the last day of the month. Plus there are scores of ads and spam and political posts using the, “No Tricks, Only Treats” sort of wording. Why not grab that as a question for my blog post today.
People in my life seem to think that if I’m not doing 20 miles a day, it’s not biking. Oh, no, wait, that’s my inner dialogue judging my own self. Sorry. I get the two confused sometimes. I don’t think anyone really cares about consecutive days of cycling, but I do and that’s really all that matters. I am not sure when the streak will cease, but I’m at 820 days and it has become a marker for me of perseverance and commitment to the extent that it’s maybe the one tiny thing I can control a teeny tiny bit.
Yesterday is a case in point. I was tired and it has been raining with such determination for the last several days that my mammal instincts are to burrow in and read my books and kick this streak to the curb and begin to winter.
I saw a tiny break and got all the rain gear on and the boots and the everything and was just about to go and it started up again as if someone (Mother Nature) was watching and waiting for me. Ah, yes, fine, whatever, I thought. I’m going and you can’t stop me. There was sun to the east and rain overhead and a very intimidating group of clouds ready to bully me back into the garage, but instead I went out. Under 2 miles. Yeah, not my finest moment, but I went out and rode in the neighborhood and assessed the layers I put on and decided I would need another warmer layer under the two layers to adequately ride longer.
But I rode when I could have not. I rode when I could have sat and nested. I rode and it felt good to have ridden. I quieted the poopoo head voice in my head that says I can’t when I can. I confronted the negative with movement and I forged onward. Some days that’s all you can do whether it’s a consecutive day of cycling or not.
At least that’s what I tell myself. I think a streak can be both trick and treat. 🎃 What do you think?
I’m still streaking. I’m closing in on 500 consecutive days of cycling, and lately the obstacles and challenges have been… interesting. I thought I’d check in today—Day 495—because this has been one of the most unusual things I’ve ever done on a bike. This feels like a real tortoise moment, and I kind of live by that story.
Here are some photos of the last few weeks and rides. Details to come and more about the complexity of a streak few understand.
Recap. August 8th was a year. 365 days in a row or cycling. I just kept going. I mean why stop? Why not keep the momentum and see if I can get to 400 and then 450 and now I can see 500.
I haven’t written much about it since my last post. Is that because I don’t want to jinx it? Maybe. Now it’s time to spill. Now, it’s time to say unequivocally that I’m a cyclist. Own it! Of course, I know that, but admittedly, I have stuggled with others knowing it and respecting it.
There’s some unpacking of the proverbial pannier that needs to happen. Why did I do this? Why bother continuing? Is there some deeper issue to uncover? Maybe. But maybe I just love to ride!
Until 500, I’ll keep on pedaling and I hope you follow along.
My 365th consecutive day of cycling is today. I’m not stopping or taking a day off. I’m planning to continue the streak until I can’t for some reason. Here are some of the questions I’ve been asked the most while cycling my streak.
Has it been hard? Not terribly, no. At first I was recovering from surgery on my heel and my streak was broken in July 2024 because doctor’s orders. Then it was hard to remember that I was setting a schedule to ride in the summer when usually I wouldn’t be commuting to work anyway, so setting new routines was challenging for a month or so.
The most challenging aspect of riding consecutive days is traveling and there’s bicycle uncertainty. Can I get a bike in a 24 hour period? While it only happened twice in 365 days, first in April when we were taking the Amtrak to and from Vancouver, B.C., and we had to clear customs at the Canadian border near Seattle. I was counting on a ride when we got home but also knew it would be late, so I was full of anxiety over how this would play out. Seize the cycle is the best way to handle it. You make the most of an opportunity. We ended up having a layover in Seattle at King Station so I rented a Lime ride and it all worked out as if I’d planned it.
The second time was a few weeks ago. We took a trip on the Columbia and Willamette rivers on our sailboat. I brought my Brompton onboard. My husband tied down the bike at the stern and when we docked we’d unload it and I could pedal around the city. It requires the tiniest bit of planning, but completely worth it.
Did it get boring? Absolutely not. I love riding and even though I was mostly riding in my area, it’s a treat to see how many different ways you can get from point A to B. Plus I didn’t have to commute to work so I could break the route to and from and just go, go, go. There are a few decent climbs by my house and now I can say without hesitation that I don’t mind them now, much. Since going to and from some of my trusty routes I must go down the hill, then I’ll have to come up said hill again later. a portion of the hill is has a 10% grade and you know it’s just before a stoplight and traffic to the north and south and you feel vulnerable and hidden and it’s hard. I don’t love the main hill on days when the sun is a broiler and the pavement is so hot you can hear your tires sizzle. But I got over it or planned it so I wasn’t doing the climb in the heat of the day.
Do you have a favorite route? Not really. I’m not bound to a commuting route like when I was working, so I just go. I go wherever I want and try different routes and explore. I am reminded that this is exactly how I rode my bike as a youngster. I’d wander and see what was around the bend. Just riding. It’s less about the miles and pushing myself than it is the consistency of riding every single day. I did make a point of documenting it with photos along the route. It was part of the journey to find a good backdrop for my bike to pose.
Did you set a minimum number of miles every day? I get this question the most. I wanted to ride every day for the pure joy of it. Going from commuting 22 miles a day, 4-5 days a week to potentially nothing because I don’t have to commute any longer could have been the end of my riding. I could have turned my bike life into a hobby and less of a daily obsession. I didn’t want that to be the case. I wanted to ride just for the satisfaction of riding. The challenge of doing the thing every single day and not so much for miles. I didn’t wanted to overthink anything related to my bike life. Sure, maybe by the time I was 6 months into it I’d shoot for at least 30 minutes or 5-10 miles, but I also embraced the Grant Peterson cycle philosophy and showed up for my ride. Anything else is frosting. Old habits die hard is a cliché for a reason and it challenging to silence your inner critic and not let the commuting habit boss you around. Whoever coined the phrase “Follow your bliss” had to be a cyclist. The feel of my legs moving and my eyes taking in all that is around me is exactly what draws me to cycling. It feels amazing!
Did you participate in any group rides? Nope. There was a time for that in my life, but I prefer solo riding. I wouldn’t rule it out but no, I did not participate in any organized rides in the 360+ days of riding.
Did you use an eBike? Me-power versus e-power is interesting to ponder. I have nothing to prove and I have bikes because I’m a cyclist! I did occasionally use my eBike. My 2012 Kona mixte was my primary ride. It’s not one OR the other, it’s both. There are some days I didn’t have the legs to deal with hills or heat or rain and it was safer to eBike, so I went electric. It kept me in the saddle where I might not have had the me-power to ride. I also used my Brompton (foldy bike) because it’s easy to take on and off train or bus. This always makes me think of the iconic line about having more insurance coverage in the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes”. The character Evelyn Couch, played by Kathy Bates utters the line, “Face it, girls, I’m older and I have more bikes!” She actually says insurance. She has more insurance. I have bikes and for the first time in my life I can ride whatever I want. Evelyn agrees!
Why? Or as my husband says, “You keep telling me why, but I don’t understand it!” It is a good basic question and while I could quote the phrase “because it is there” which is a famous quote attributed to George Mallory, a British climber who perished on Mount Everest in 1924. That quote certainly encapsulates the inherent human drive to explore and conquer challenges, particularly in the face of formidable natural obstacles like mountains, or biking up 10% grade hills.
I don’t have a therapist, but I guess if I was on the couch and talking about the why of my riding, I’d say it’s one of those things I can do. It all started in gym class when I was a wee lass and I couldn’t climb the rope or was told I’m not good at sports. I’m sure I’m not alone. I’m not a runner and I’m not a lot of things that physically fit people look like they are. I am not slight of build and I have been told, “You don’t look like a cyclist,” whatever that’s supposed to mean. Simply put, I wanted to see if I could. I was inspired to do so by a cyclist in Toronto. An added benefit is that my legs are toned. My gastrocnemius muscle, both the medial and lateral are defined in a way I envied on “serious cyclists.” Just the other day I sort of noticed this definition on my own legs and I really wanted to set up a photo shoot because for the first time it’s defined enough for me to say Hello!!Legs by cycling. If you follow this blog, you know I’m not one to have a gym membership and I don’t run and while I do enjoy swimming, that’s not my thing either. I ride my bike.
One comment from a Strava follower was “You must be so strong after this experience.” I do feel good and I want to hold on to that zeal of just doing the do and riding as much as I can for as long as I can.
What’s next? I’ll keep on doing what I do. Getting out there and riding my bike! I wish the same for you.
Thanks for reading and get out there and ride your bike. Tomorrow will be day 366!
My bike(s) are like a part of me. They are an extension of my body and my mind. As a bike knocks off mile after mile and you pedal through the weeks and commute or grab groceries or try this hill or that dale your bike willingly goes along for the ride.
I went too far. We’ve had lots of rain and I thought the screeching braking sounds were a result of the rain. However, that’s not the case. Prepare yourself for the photos you see.
In my defense, I did hit the 5K mark on my commuter, HollyBerryBike recently and I suspected that I would be addressing the brake pad soon however I didn’t really think they’d sound like the Psycho score turned screech.
The downhill spiral on brake pads is quick. What you suspect becomes reality when dogs howl and birds flee and babies cry as you pass by and you may not even be using your brakes. Today was such a day and I’m grateful that it wasn’t SO bad that fluids leaked and my bike was ruined but was bad enough that I learned my lesson. Again.
But here’s the thing, I’ve gone to the garage a few times tonight and my bike isn’t there. It’s at the shop. It’s having an overnighter and I don’t think we’ve been separated ever, so I feel like a bad bike mom and I know it’s only a night but I miss her.
Left is the one I wore out. On the right is the new pad.
All the forums and experts say every 5K miles your brake pads should be checked and “possibly” replaced. But it depends on how hard you ride and how much you brake. Commuting adds loads more wear and tear to a bike and in this case, she’s right on time. 5,100 miles.
I have been here before. We’ve all learned lessons about bike maintenance multiple times. I’m here again at the brake pad lesson 101 and it’s all going to be okay. Mark at the shop assured me that I did the right thing and it’s all going to be okay.
She will get rear pads and a new rotor and we’ll be riding into the end of the school year soon enough.
This is Bike Goddess here with a reminder to check your brake pads. Don’t be like me.
Thanks for reading. I know it’s been a beat and I’ll be back sooner than you think with a few exciting announcements. In the meantime if you found this helpful, please give this post a Like and I look forward to another post soon.
