The, 30 Days of Biking, ended this past Saturday and I'll be upfront with you, I didn't ride my bike. I walked by it about a dozen or so times on the way to doing something more pressing, but never had the chance and by the end of the day, I didn't have the energy or desire to put together any sort of a ride, but maybe that's why I like this challenge. The challenge is to ride your bike thirty times in a month. There is no mileage goal or pace demand. It's just get on your bike and ride. I need that kind of simplicity. Yes, it'd be ideal if you really could actually do that or it would be a real biketopia, if you lived in a place full of bike shops and a huge bicycling community that was hosting events where you got together and really got in some great and fun rides. And maybe add to that the idea of living in a place where you could realistically ride your bike to work or use it for some meaningful errands on a daily basis. But that is not what I imagine most people live around nor is it the usual experience of most folks; despite what'd you see on social media or read about in bicycling publications. Yes, there are the Boulder, Colorado's and the Austin, Texas', but for everyone one of those types of places there are hundreds of Tifton, Georgia's and Orlando, Florida's. I would imagine most people are like me and work 10-15 hour days, far from home and get home exhausted and either get a super small window to ride around the block or the occasional longer ride and then that is that. And if you are busy like me, then when it comes to hobbies or "extras", I guess beggars can't exactly be choosy. I am not complaining, but rather stating the facts.
Last year, I participated in the Fifth Annual Version of the, 30 Days of Biking, and you can read about it here. And so, when I saw something about the Sixth Annual Version pop up on my Facebook feed, I knew that I wanted to do it. It's one of the easiest things that one can be apart of. It's free. The lone requirement is that you get on your bike and ride it. There isn't even a required distance. It could be around your house or even just around in your garage, if you have one, or up and down your driveway. You don't have to ride a 100 miles on your carbon bike in full time trial regalia. You just have get on your bicycle and ride and it's really that simple. And if you can't ride everyday, then at least try to ride nearly thirty times during the month. I know as my April starting filling up quickly from morning till night, I just made it a goal to try to ride the majority of the days. And to top the whole challenge off, it's for a very good cause.
30 Days of Biking, is a nonprofit group that has two main goals: get people off their behinds and onto a bike and help raise money for the World Bicycle Relief Fund. It didn't officially become a nonprofit charity till this year when several big name sponsors jumped on board after the annual events past four years of exponential participation and success and they formed a board of trustees to lead the charity.You should look up all the information about the, 30 Days of Biking. It's all pretty neat. In my lowly opinion, we need a lot more stuff like this and less of most everything else.
And if you don't know much about World Bicycle Relief Fund, you should go check them out too. They're a really great charity that was begun by the co-founder of SRAM, the maker of all things gears and drive trains for bicycles, and with a lot of help from the founders of Trek and Specialized after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004. They provide bikes to folks in Africa, South America, Asia, and in the Caribbean that live lives where their only mode of transportation is walking and where being in that position limits someone in every possible way. You should look them up too. I will probably throw together a post about them, but for now, clicking the above link will have to do. And without saying too much, I have a really big idea that I am cooking up that involves this charity. Be excited. I am.
The gear.
Last year, I participated in the Fifth Annual Version of the, 30 Days of Biking, and you can read about it here. And so, when I saw something about the Sixth Annual Version pop up on my Facebook feed, I knew that I wanted to do it. It's one of the easiest things that one can be apart of. It's free. The lone requirement is that you get on your bike and ride it. There isn't even a required distance. It could be around your house or even just around in your garage, if you have one, or up and down your driveway. You don't have to ride a 100 miles on your carbon bike in full time trial regalia. You just have get on your bicycle and ride and it's really that simple. And if you can't ride everyday, then at least try to ride nearly thirty times during the month. I know as my April starting filling up quickly from morning till night, I just made it a goal to try to ride the majority of the days. And to top the whole challenge off, it's for a very good cause.
A place void of kickstands.
30 Days of Biking, is a nonprofit group that has two main goals: get people off their behinds and onto a bike and help raise money for the World Bicycle Relief Fund. It didn't officially become a nonprofit charity till this year when several big name sponsors jumped on board after the annual events past four years of exponential participation and success and they formed a board of trustees to lead the charity.You should look up all the information about the, 30 Days of Biking. It's all pretty neat. In my lowly opinion, we need a lot more stuff like this and less of most everything else.
A view from the top.
And if you don't know much about World Bicycle Relief Fund, you should go check them out too. They're a really great charity that was begun by the co-founder of SRAM, the maker of all things gears and drive trains for bicycles, and with a lot of help from the founders of Trek and Specialized after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004. They provide bikes to folks in Africa, South America, Asia, and in the Caribbean that live lives where their only mode of transportation is walking and where being in that position limits someone in every possible way. You should look them up too. I will probably throw together a post about them, but for now, clicking the above link will have to do. And without saying too much, I have a really big idea that I am cooking up that involves this charity. Be excited. I am.
As I alluded to earlier, I had originally planned to carve out the smallest of pieces of each day and try to fit some sort of ride into that smallest of spaces. I really I figured I could do it. I was mentally setting the goal of trying to ride at least a mile a day if I could find the time. And then all of my April things came together, conspired against me, and exploded. It almost looked like Jackson Pollock designed my daily calendar. School bled into track, and track bled into work at home, and work at home bled into extra-curricular obligations at school, and those bled into church obligations. And all of those things made it pretty hard to summon the mustard to ride a little each day. Maybe, I should get an electric bike or get Mel or FH to pedal me around.
The very best type of riding.
Even though, I didn't get to ride each day, I still found the time to get on the bike somewhere around 18-25 times. I recorded about 18 rides through Strava, but I then took a few very short rides here and there and left my GPS watch and phone at home. I was also able to ride around 90 or so miles. I'm very glad I attempted the thirty day challenge and will most likely do it next year. I can always use some excuse to get outside and get on my bike and go for a ride; even the shortest of rides. Next year, why don't you join me and we'll have a little friendly competition.
Happy riding,
DAVID
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