The risk in talking about a streak is that somehow you will jinx it. You will attract some sort of mischief that will kill the streak. Better to just hunker down and do the thing and not draw any attention to it.

I’ve been reflecting on this streak and happy to keep spinning and reviewing some of the days. Recently Day 260 proved to be very complicated because I was traveling and wasn’t quite sure if I could ride a bike through the aisles on an Amtrak. Fortunately, it didn’t come to that. I squeezed in a ride during a layover in Seattle. That was the closest call I’ve had in my adventures.

The 260s came and went and the 270s also. I’m on the #297th day of consecutive days of riding my bike as of this post. Why not wait until #300? Well, I may not have time to write about it.

With this streak, I’ve gotten used to seizing the moment—and also sensing when something might go wrong. A snag. I can feel it, like shaking a Magic 8 Ball, and hoping for the “Yes-Definitely,” but some days are leaning toward, “Very doubtful.” The outlook of each day holds a bike ride, and I work diligently to make sure it happens, part of my daily rhythm.

As much as commuting was a necessary part of my week getting to and from school when I worked, I wasn’t for certain how my graduation (retirement) from work would influence my future riding. I didn’t want it to but how could it not alter my schedule and commitment?

When I started this streak 297 days ago I didn’t know I’d get this far. All you can do it try.

Puttering in my yard a week ago, I decided to move a big bucket of water. Think 40 pounds. I know better. Plus it’s water! Why did I think it was so necessary to move it. It was on grass and I should have pushed it over which my cycling legs, but no… the weakest part of me, my arms were put to the test and I hauled it over to a flower bed to water some plants. I felt the twist in the small of my back and thought possibly a giant knife was thrown at my side. But still I got on my bike the next day (after an hour of alternating hot and cold) and the next day after that for a week and rode.

I’m accustomed to getting a massage now and again. But it has probably been over a year since I had one. After the bucket incident I made an appointment and today I feel like a voodoo doll with pins sticking out everywhere. I used my ebike today and I persevered and rode. In the last 297 days there have definitely been days when my body was not up for the challenge.

A rest day for me on my streak means riding, but not as far or as long. That’s okay! Coming off of the commuting miles or the days when it was raining sideways during my commute, now I can pick my time of the day and just go! I can wait for that break in the rain to get in my ride. How liberating!

Everything falls away when I ride. Correction, most everything falls away. I take in the scenes and scenery and I feel as though I’m on some new path of enlightenment. Not quite a reclining buddha but a pedaling goddess and even when distracted drivers annoy me I still feel blissful and renewed at its conclusion.

I stared my streak on August 8th, 2024 and I even started it before that but I had foot surgery so I stopped and resumed once the doctor gave the green light. Now I’m on the threshold of 300 days and only 68 days from a whole year and I’m amazed. But we’re going to be aloof about it and chill so as not to anger the gods.

People ask me, “What happens after that?”

I’ll keep going is what I say. Day 366 and day 400 and 500. Of course I’ll need a little treat, for the bike of course, but I want the streak to continue.

Thanks for reading my blog and some of you on Strava have been following me and giving me Kudos, and I want to thank you for your support. It means

BikeGoddess is also a YouTube Channel and I’m planning more for it in the upcoming 68 days, including some video of my trip to Vancouver B.C., and my bike tour recommendations. Have a look and Subscribe because doing this streak has been a sort of biking bootcampt for me.

Here’s to more riding for you and for me.

Get out there and ride.

🚲 Bike Goddess