September 2015 Bike Bicycle Cycling Challenge

HopHead28

Welcome to our September Cycling Thread! If you are new to posting on this thread, or if you are new to cycling, We welcome you! If you are returning from a previous thread, We welcome you, too.

This thread is for anyone who rides a bike. Do you bike to work? Do you pull your children to the park? So you ride weekends? Do you spin, at home or the gym? Or, are you just starting out and remembering how much fun you had biking when you were a kid? However you choose to push your pedal, you are welcome on this thread.

There are no rules to how or what you post. You may post miles, minutes, # of rides, what the scenery looks like, anything. Whatever will motivates you to get on your bike.

Cheers

HopHead28

I have a hurt leg from last month so this month I am going to be taking it a bit easier.

My goal for the year is 2,500 miles and I have only 233 miles until I hit it so I am going to shoot for 250-300 this month while trying to heal up my leg.

saphin

I think I'll try for 600 km this month, and try to get out from work early enough to put in 6 rides a week

Sep 1 -29.82km

SteveCro

Was a little short last month but had 2 weeks of crazy business hope to not have here. Goal 300

KungFu_Panda_67

I'm hoping the weather cools down a bit so that I can do some weekend riding without the heat and humidity.

I know it's not September data, but I did about 20 miles on Saturday (8/29) with my wife.

I typically go to the gym 3+ times a week and do some stationary bike as part of my cardio, too.

marybeth062

I'd love to join this challenge. I'm riding mostly on weekends, so I'm setting a goal of 150 miles for September.

Ohhim

Sidelined by an injury last month, so missed for the first time in a while. Regardless, I'll put 500 more on the calendar for this month and go from there. Off for a ride now.

wizzybeth

I would love to log 100 miles for September. We will see!

mommyknits

My September is always a tad crazy and after work/evening rides won't happen as it gets darker and I chauffeur kids so I'm relying on hopefully decent weekend weather to explore on the bike. My total goal is small.... 100 km.

panchango

Last month, I wanted to break 250 and finished with over 300. I think I will set the bar high for myself and aim for 400 miles this month. I have a bunch hills waiting for me to climb.

9.1 - 9.3 miles

m1xm0d3

I will shoot for another 1,000 mile month. The legs are capable, daylight and lack of time due to school will be the bigger factors.

9/01 - 09.01 @ 17.5 mph (AM Commute)
9/01 - 13.12 @ 18.0 mph (PM Commute)
9/01 - 28.72 @ 19.6 mph

MTD: 50.84
Goal: 1,000

czymom123

My goal for the month is 200. I had a doctor's appointment today, so I missed my Tuesday ride. I will ride Thursday.

Good job everyone!

Machka9

Review ...

March Cycling: 409.33 km (254.34 miles) = 21 hours 55 min
April Cycling: 384.15 km (238.7 miles) = 20 hours 35 min
May Cycling: 259.06 km (160.9 miles) + 45 min cycling inside
June Cycling Inside: 215 minutes on bicycle on trainer in basement = 3 hours 35 min
June Cycling Outside: 493.53 km (306.6 miles) in 1531 min cycling outside = 25 hours 31 min
July Cycling: 130 km in 405 min + 280 min cycling indoors
Aug Cycling: 129.25 km in 474 min + 225 min cycling indoors

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Spring has sprung ... or so they tell us. But hopefully with the longer daylight hours and potentially warming temps I might be able to get out there and ride more!!

I'd like to be up and over 200 km cycling outside ... plus I'll probably end up doing a bit inside as well.

G33K_G1RL

I'm within cycling distance from work for this month, so I will join this challenge, to avoid excuses to take the bus instead!

Goal : 150 km - Which means not missing a day or going for weekend rides

As of this morning : 14.43 km cycled in September

sheermomentum

In. I just got a new bike - expecting delivery on Friday, and I'm so excited to ride it over the holiday weekend. The roads and drivers around here are insane, so my only goal right now is to take several state park and trail rides nearby this month.

saphin

Target 600 km with 6 rides a week

Sep 1 -29.82km
Sep 2 - 30.81km (brilliant Ponggol route)

60.63 down, 539.27 to go

PlunderingSteelGorilla

I am shooting for 1,000km (621 miles) in 90 days. Very high for me and my style of riding (non commuting with lots of random rugged trails and few long straight roads). Shoot for the moon... Last month I rode 230+km in 3 weeks, so I am optimistic.

Started yesterday with 42.5km.

TiJoGa

I'd like to follow this thread, I'm brand new to cycling. Well brand new as in haven't done it willingly for 20+ years

Last month I rode 69 miles so my goal this month is to hit 100 miles. The weather is changing though so I'll have to look into what one does riding in the rain.

I'm so impressed at the numbers being put out on this page, I'm anxious to follow all of your successes!

CricketKate

I'm so glad the thread is still going! I got on my bike for the first time in a very long time (illness kept me away) last week. I had a really spectacular crash that subjected me to all kinds of "I told you that you weren't ready"" from my husband. Keep on pedaling, Everyone.

bmele0

I just got a bike in the beginning of July and I was reminded of how much I loved it as a kid! It's just a sporty hybrid, great for exercise. I ride about every other day and do strength training on the other days with at least one rest day. I logged about 25-30 miles per week, so for Sept. I'd like to shoot for 120 miles.

czymom123

So excited about my September goal! I am starting to get nervous about the time change. What does everyone do when it gets too dark to ride? I know I will have weekends to ride, but that's just 2 days out of 7. I will not be riding when it's dark getting off work (I teach, but you know how early it gets dark in winter). Is anyone else freaking out yet, or just me?
I do have a gym membership that includes spin classes, but I like to be outside on my bike for real.

john_not_typical

Generally, I get to ride outside twice a week and spend the rest of the days on a stationary bike. I'm going to aim for a total of 250 miles and see what happens.

So far for September:
Sept. 1: 9 miles (inside)
Sept. 2: 9.6 miles (inside)

sheermomentum

czymom123 wrote: »

What does everyone do when it gets too dark to ride? I know I will have weekends to ride, but that's just 2 days out of 7.

I had not yet even thought about this. boo. I'm going to focus instead on how perfect the weather is going to be for weekend rides in October and November

HopHead28

Awesome to see all the goals that popped on in the past day and quite a few new people as well.

czymom123 wrote: »

So excited about my September goal! I am starting to get nervous about the time change. What does everyone do when it gets too dark to ride? I know I will have weekends to ride, but that's just 2 days out of 7. I will not be riding when it's dark getting off work (I teach, but you know how early it gets dark in winter). Is anyone else freaking out yet, or just me?
I do have a gym membership that includes spin classes, but I like to be outside on my bike for real.

I use a 300 lumen head light and a really bright tail light (both by Cygolite) that is quite bright if I'm riding when its dark.

In the winter I use an indoor trainer and put a trainer tire on my current bike (one that can withstand the heat generated from the trainer since there is no wind). Trainers are nice in the winter because you can still ride with resistance. I place mine in front of my TV and like to watch TV shows or biking videos -- makes the rides really enjoyable.

This year I bought a fat bike for single track and winter riding and look forward to doing some riding in the snow.

saphin

czymom123 wrote: »

So excited about my September goal! I am starting to get nervous about the time change. What does everyone do when it gets too dark to ride? I know I will have weekends to ride, but that's just 2 days out of 7. I will not be riding when it's dark getting off work (I teach, but you know how early it gets dark in winter). Is anyone else freaking out yet, or just me?
I do have a gym membership that includes spin classes, but I like to be outside on my bike for real.

I mostly ride in the dark here (I live near the equator so no significant seasonal day/night variations plus I would get badly sunburned if I rode too much during the day). I have the best lights on the bike that I can find here / afford, fluorescent strips on my shoes, light coloured cycling shirts plus my little white legs and arms help people to see me and my next bike will be white. The main safety comes in HOW you cycle. I use the same techniques on the bicycle as when riding my motorcycle - use your road position within the lane to control people overtaking when it's dangerous, move towards the middle of the road near junctions to help drivers see you, make sure you get eye contact with drivers, take evasionary precautions (or stop) if you can't make eye contact and plan well ahead for cross traffic turns. It gets a bit interesting sometimes but you do get used to it.

chanceA

I started cycling because running hurt my feet. I love cycling! This weekend I did 14 miles on the Silver Comet Trail in Atlanta. I try to ride at least 3 times a week, usually 7 or 8 miles at a time. I would love to know techniques to get more out of my ride and my bike, a schwinn hybrid. I bought it because it was pretty. I didn't know then how much I would love cycling or how the bike affects how you ride. I would love to hear tips about how to choose my next bike, too. Thanks bunches!

allaboutthecake

czymom123 wrote: »

So excited about my September goal! I am starting to get nervous about the time change. What does everyone do when it gets too dark to ride? I know I will have weekends to ride, but that's just 2 days out of 7. I will not be riding when it's dark getting off work (I teach, but you know how early it gets dark in winter). Is anyone else freaking out yet, or just me?
I do have a gym membership that includes spin classes, but I like to be outside on my bike for real.

I ride in the early a.m. and its dark. I wear high viz tops & bottoms & a high viz helmet. Also have reflective bike wrappers. Get a good set of daylight-bright lights (or two). I recommend DiNotte. I'm a big fan of them. Run them on high flasher. You'll be seen. You can add in miles by commuting. If that's too daunting, then pick a couple days during the week and plan accordingly. Its amazing how the stress of teaching just melts when you leave work to bike home.

Machka9

czymom123 wrote: »

So excited about my September goal! I am starting to get nervous about the time change. What does everyone do when it gets too dark to ride?

Get lights and reflective gear.

SteveCro

Was a little short last month but had 2 weeks of crazy business hope to not have here. Goal 300

9/2 - 20.01 miles, road bike, Riding with the Wed. night group 15.43 ave.

SteveCro

Welcome to all the new riders. That's awesome to see so many new faces. Cricketkate good to see you back! Sorry to hear still dealing with issues. Don't give up on the bike, start slow and build!!

Agree with all about post. Here dark = cold.. Go to a bike shop for a good light, the cheap box store lights will get you hurt. Are not bright enough to see all small pot holes and obstackles.

I also put my bike on a trainer in the house. Not able to see TV so I built a stand that's a little taller than my handlebars. The legs straddle the front tire and I use my laptop to watch videos and hulu or rock to Pandora.

robertw486

czymom123 wrote: »

So excited about my September goal! I am starting to get nervous about the time change. What does everyone do when it gets too dark to ride? I know I will have weekends to ride, but that's just 2 days out of 7. I will not be riding when it's dark getting off work (I teach, but you know how early it gets dark in winter). Is anyone else freaking out yet, or just me?
I do have a gym membership that includes spin classes, but I like to be outside on my bike for real.

This impacts me as well. Rather than let my miles slip too much, I'm going to finally buy some decent lights and keep riding. It will impact my pace some, but it also gives me more chances of spotting some deer and other wildlife.


My goal for the month is 200 miles, probably done mostly on the weekends.