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?
It’s been over a hundred miles since my last post. I turned 500 shortly back from some winter adventures in cycling in Detroit and Chicago. Then I came home and got swept into the waves of days and miles and life. It’s all good and I am exploring more with my YouTube channel which explores both the bookish and bike-ish sides of my personality.
My blog is getting lost in the mix and sadly I’m not sure what to do about that. But I paid for another year of blogging so I will take some time to consider what’s next. If you are new to my blog, I write mostly about biking and although I don’t love how this blog is organized, I just roll with it. I like having multiple bikes and I think having a blog and all the other socials allow for engagement across the spectrum and I’m in it to share insights and adventures, not for some other reason and that’s what matters.
I caught an interesting spring cold which made me think I might have allergies, but looks to be just a head cold. Still riding but not doing much with video today as I sound pretty bad.
The thing about blogging is that you can write and reflect but sometimes it’s a bit incoherent and stream or consciousness which is okay but disorganized. Like a pinball machine not a pool table. At least a pool table has some focus.
Last week, on April Fool’s Day, I turned the calendar to 600 consecutive days of cycling. Why is this a thing with me? Let me get comfortable on the couch while we consider that around 600 days ago I retired. I went from commuting regularly to and from work. It was 20-25 miles round trip and I did it whatever the weather. I usually rode Monday-Thursday and drove on Friday, but after I stopped taking piano lessons (the reason I drove was to get to my piano lessons) I was flexible about the days. I might swap a day for another day. Possibly I did the whole work week but I commuted.
That means I wasn’t necessarily going out for pleasure rides on the weekend. Biking was strictly transportation. Good way to cheat the oil companies, but still, you get my drift. I never wanted to be so far away from my workplace, but sometimes stuff happened. Maybe if the weather was spectacular I’d ride on the off days, but usually I rested. This is interesting to me because as a self-proclaimed avid cyclist I wasn’t riding for the pleasure of riding, I was commuting.
Retirement opens up the discussion about what one does. What DO I do all day? Whatever I want! That’s the snarky answer, but in truth, I ride now in a way that gives me joy and some exercise. Also, I ride every. Single. Day!
Back when I was a youngster looking for a “touring” sort of road bike I recall a conversation about professional cyclists with the bike dude at the shop. “It’ll be interesting to see what bike [fill in the blank with renowned cyclist name] rides when they don’t have to ride the team bike.” I don’t know why that stuck with me. I recall it happening while I was looking over a Colnago but frankly, I was never that into the team bike. I never really cared about speed simply because I don’t ride to race. Never have. Okay, wait… that’s not entirely true. I would have loved to be a racer but I’ll blame my DNA and let’s just say even at my lightest weight it didn’t matter. My speed was still consistently in the 12mph range. The only bike that made me faster was an e-bike, but not by much. Maybe I got up to 15 mph.
When I turned 50 I bought a skinny tired mixte frame bike which fit me like a dream. I did change the saddle, but who doesn’t? This bike is perfect for me. I don’t know what exactly it is about the geometry but it works. The sloping double top tube/stays just work for me. The retro vibe works for me. The nimble handling makes me feel like I can handle anything.
The only thing I couldn’t do well on my Kona Mixte was climb. Enter 2023 and a bike mechanic named Ryan who said I could change that. I had a smaller chain ring added for climbing. I added a double ring and that’s made a massive difference when I need to get up a few of my local hills with 8% to 13% grades. Now I can’t even express how much I love this bike.
Can we talk about that color? I know some just call it brown but to me it has a sort of copper tone which always makes me think of my Crayola box and the metallic colors. I absolutely love how this looks. I named her Gigi and we’ve been together for quite sometime. I came back to her in retirement because she’s the lightest bike and the most agile. I love riding her. She always turns heads and when I added the proper Pelago Rasket to the front she was more mine than anything. Another brilliant suggestion from Ryan! This addition made the bike for me! Put me on a plane to Amsterdam and let me live my life! She’s such a beauty!
Now, if I remember correctly, the bike, a Kona 2012 Roundabout Commuter, (later versions called Coco) cost about $1200. Plus, I’ve had more than a few other bikes in-between then and now, but this is my retirement bike. She has 14,298 miles and the next bike with that sort of mileage is my the e-bike I used for commuting from 2019, which is at 15,204 miles.
Popping back to my commuter days for a moment, I started commuting both to and from work in 2017. I was looking for a post about that history but I can’t locate it, but I’ll say this one about Racing A Roadie does a good job of presenting some background.
One thing that happened when I retired was the expectation that since I was not longer riding to work, I’d no longer be riding. What? Really? I never thought that but others mentioned it to me and I recoiled in horror, but I can see where that might have been true. It does take a slightly different mindset to ride when you’re not commuting to and from work, and I can say that I’m not doing the same sort of mileage, but that’s okay too. It has to be.
Ride #590
My freshman year of retirement wasn’t easy. Lots of wild things happened with people around me which in turn meant I stepped in to help or caretake and it wasn’t an easy year but I was busy and I got out every day for a ride. It was my escape. Then I hit 365 days and I felt like I really accomplished something interesting, so I kept going.
As I entered my sophomore year of retirement, my schedule opened up. Then round the corner to 400 which could have been a good stopping point, but I kept going with the idea that 500 consecutive days was just around the bend, so why not push it for more? Now the 490s were tricky because of Detroit and Chicago but I got it done.
The 500s were really good. They really were matter of fact, as though it’s the routine. I was fully immersed in the ride. I don’t remember too much drama beyond the weather. I had my routine down and my rain gear figured out. I was definitely enjoying Gigi more than the e-bike. Most of that had to do with weight of the bike which is a whole other topic. Note to self: talk about that in another blog post, possibly a video.
What have I learned? I can do it! Also, it’s true, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. Also, I’m every bit as much a cyclist as the dudes (and they are almost always dudes) who ride all kitted out on their expensive bikes acting like they are just all that and more. They ignite a sort of fury in me that is hard to fully articulate, but suffice it to say that cyclists should be supportive of all cyclists and if you’re some sort of elite cyclist, you don’t have to be a 🤬!
I think that most of my riding life I’ve felt like less than a cyclist in part because of the messages we get about how a cyclist should look or how fast a cyclist should ride. That’s complete road kill. There were two men who passed me all kitted out and on their ‘spensive bikes and they didn’t even give me a moment’s notice. I wanted to ask them if they’ve ridden their bike 600 consecutive days? Rude roadies are the worst. They didn’t even acknowledge me. Doesn’t matter except that if I was a new cyclist I might be discouraged by that lack of interaction. Cyclists can be every bit as rude and drivers and let’s not pretend otherwise.
Always wave or acknowledge other cyclists and if you see a kid out there, try to be encouraging and supportive, even if it’s just complimenting their helmet or the color of their bike.
Summer is closing in on us and that’s by far the best time to get out there and ride. It’s the one season you can go and not worry about much in the way of gear. My advice if you’re starting out, is start small and build. Also, pay attention to your surroundings and if possible scope out a route near where you live, so you know what potential challenges await. If you have not ridden your bike in a season or more, check all the things. That means, check the tires and the chain and you might even want to take it to a mechanic and have them give it a look over to see that it’s in good shape. You do not need any special gear. Most of my rides are in regular clothes, however in the spring and summer I often live by layers and I also, depending on how far I’m going, I often wear more specific riding gear because it breathes more. Better for my skin and general comfort. See an be seen as the saying goes.
If I’ve mastered anything in the last 600 days of riding it’s been just getting out there and doing it. Short rides and longer rides, wet or dry rides, snow or not, proper shoes or not. I’ve just gotten my bike and my arse out there and done it.
What a long, meandering read and I’m happy if you made it this far. I’m not really sure about this blogging stuff because I see many a folks moving to Substack and doing other things. I’m here for now and I appreciate your attention.
I’d love to hear about your riding challenges.
What keeps you going or what keeps you from going? Let me know.
Have a great day and I’ll see you in the next blog post.
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!
