April 2014 CYCLING Challenge

Options
1…567911

Replies

  • theecatt
    theecatt Posts: 31 Member
    Options
    My goal was to start biking to work again now that the weather is nice. I did it 3 times this week (5.5 miles each way). It's not a hard ride, but it's nice to add some mileage, while cutting back on car usage. I also biked to the gym once.
  • BigMech
    BigMech Posts: 420 Member
    Options
    April 1st - 24.8 miles @ 16.5mph
    April 3rd - 23.9 miles @ 16.5mph
    April 9th - 24.9 miles @ 16.4mph
    April 10th - 24.9 miles @ 17.7mph (Finally broke out the good bike :) )
    April 14th - 23.9 miles @ 18.5mph
    April 18th - 25.0 miles @ 18.1mph
    April 22nd - 24.1 miles @ 19.2mph
    April 25th - 25.8 miles @ 18.0 mph

    197 total so far, and I'll probably get in 1 or 2 more ride this months.

    I would like to get 250-300 miles a month through the spring, summer and fall.
  • faugsu
    faugsu Posts: 330 Member
    Options
    BigMech--Outstanding job!!

    4-2 30 miles
    4-8 20
    4-11 18
    4-14 16
    4-17 21
    4-18 15
    4-21 21
    4-22 21
    4-23 15
    4-24 30
    4-25 16 MTD 223
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    Options
    April 1 - rode 12.8 miles for a duration of 1:15:14 (gravel ride)
    April 2 - rode 30.2 miles for a duration of 2:09:38
    April 5 - rode 66 miles for a duration of 4:23:55 (gravel race)
    April 8 - rode 23.77 miles for a duration of 1:28:24
    April 9 - rode 11.4 miles for a duration of 1:18:17 (singletrack)
    April 10 - rode 16.4 miles for a duration of 1:15:06
    April 12 - rode 33 miles for a duration of 2:05:58
    April 13 - rode 28.2 miles for a duration of 1:29:58
    April 15 - rode 16.2 miles for a duration of 1:03:00
    April 16 - rode 18.8 miles for a duration of 1:50:24
    April 17 - rode 5.54 miles for a duration of 46:39 (difficult singletrack)
    April 17 - rode 9.86 miles for a duration of 1:22:10 (more difficult singletrack)
    April 18 - rode 14.9 miles for a duration of 1:20:30
    April 19 - rode 10.86 miles for a duration of 1:35:00 (mountain biking)
    April 20 - rode 33.4 miles for a duration of 1:59:49 (beautiful Easter Zone 2 ride on the road bike)
    April 21 - rode 18.4 miles for a duration of 1:29:05 (recovery spin)
    April 23 - rode 17.8 miles for a duration of 1:00:00
    April 25 - rode 27.1 miles for a duration of 2:04:00 (rear tire blow out!!!!)

    Total for month of April: 394.63 miles/29:56:07 hours
  • sajeffe
    sajeffe Posts: 850 Member
    Options
    4/1 - 2.3 miles. 9.4mph average. Listening to Footloose Soundtrack songs on the Walkman.
    4/2 - 3.0 miles. 9.3mph average. Listening to Lex Land on the Walkman.
    4/2 - Additional 3.2 miles today at 8.3mph listening to The Black Keys (a favorite).
    4/3 - 2.2 miles at 9.2mph.
    4/4 - 2.9 miles at 9.4mph listening to Lake Street Dive.
    4/5 - 2.3 miles at 9.3mph listening to The Black Keys again.
    4/8 - 2.3 miles at 9.1mph listening to Lake Street Dive.
    4/9 - 3.1 miles at 9.4mph listening to Motown playlist. So far, I'm on pace to meet my goal.
    4/9 - Another 1.3 miles for today.
    4/10 - 1.8 miles at 8.8mph.
    4/12 - 3.4 miles at 9.0mph listening to Lake Street Dive again.
    4/13 - 2.4 miles at 9.3mph listening to Jack White. (I feel a Jack White binge coming on.)
    4/14 - 3.4 miles at 9.2mph listening to Jack White.
    4/16 - 1.8 miles at 8.9mph.
    4/17 - 0.6 miles (used up my energy in the garden).
    4/19 - 3.5 miles at 9.9mph.
    4/20 - 3.6 miles at 9.6mph listening to Haim. Took the rural route today. Love it.
    4/20 - 2.1 miles added at 8.5mph.
    4/21 - 4.8 miles at 10.3mph listening to pop music. Half rural, half residential.
    4/22 - 0.6 miles after again using up energy and daylight in the garden.
    4/23 - 2.8 miles at 9.9mph.
    4/24 - 2.9 miles at 10.1mph.
    4/25 - 1.9 miles at 9.6mph.


    Goal = 60 miles.
    MTD = 58.2 miles.
    Yet to ride = 1.8 miles.
  • cowbellsandcoffee
    cowbellsandcoffee Posts: 2,975 Member
    Options
    4/1 - 12.5 miles @ 16.6mph
    4/3 - 9 @ 18mph
    4/4 - 9 @ 18mph
    4/6 - 20 @ 15.8mph
    4/9 - 23 @ 15.5mph
    4/10 - 16 @ 15.8mph
    4/11 - 16.3 @ 16.3mph
    4/14 - 10.5 @ 17mph
    4/15 - 12.2 @ 17.5mph
    4/16 - 14 @ 17.5mph
    4/17 - 17.2 @ 17.2mph
    4/19 - 23.1 @ 15.8mph
    4/20 - 30.8 @ 15.8mph
    4/24 - 10 @ 18.5mph
    4/25 - 16.4 @ 16.4mph

    240 total
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    Options
    13.9 miles today. It was tough.
  • faugsu
    faugsu Posts: 330 Member
    Options
    4-2 30 miles
    4-8 20
    4-11 18
    4-14 16
    4-17 21
    4-18 15
    4-21 21
    4-22 21
    4-23 15
    4-24 30
    4-25 16
    4-26 34 MTD 257
  • cowbellsandcoffee
    cowbellsandcoffee Posts: 2,975 Member
    Options
    4/1 - 12.5 miles @ 16.6mph
    4/3 - 9 @ 18mph
    4/4 - 9 @ 18mph
    4/6 - 20 @ 15.8mph
    4/9 - 23 @ 15.5mph
    4/10 - 16 @ 15.8mph
    4/11 - 16.3 @ 16.3mph
    4/14 - 10.5 @ 17mph
    4/15 - 12.2 @ 17.5mph
    4/16 - 14 @ 17.5mph
    4/17 - 17.2 @ 17.2mph
    4/19 - 23.1 @ 15.8mph
    4/20 - 30.8 @ 15.8mph
    4/24 - 10 @ 18.5mph
    4/25 - 16.4 @ 16.4mph
    4/26 - 34.1 @ 16.1mph

    274.1 total
  • sajeffe
    sajeffe Posts: 850 Member
    Options
    4/1 - 2.3 miles. 9.4mph average. Listening to Footloose Soundtrack songs on the Walkman.
    4/2 - 3.0 miles. 9.3mph average. Listening to Lex Land on the Walkman.
    4/2 - Additional 3.2 miles today at 8.3mph listening to The Black Keys (a favorite).
    4/3 - 2.2 miles at 9.2mph.
    4/4 - 2.9 miles at 9.4mph listening to Lake Street Dive.
    4/5 - 2.3 miles at 9.3mph listening to The Black Keys again.
    4/8 - 2.3 miles at 9.1mph listening to Lake Street Dive.
    4/9 - 3.1 miles at 9.4mph listening to Motown playlist. So far, I'm on pace to meet my goal.
    4/9 - Another 1.3 miles for today.
    4/10 - 1.8 miles at 8.8mph.
    4/12 - 3.4 miles at 9.0mph listening to Lake Street Dive again.
    4/13 - 2.4 miles at 9.3mph listening to Jack White. (I feel a Jack White binge coming on.)
    4/14 - 3.4 miles at 9.2mph listening to Jack White.
    4/16 - 1.8 miles at 8.9mph.
    4/17 - 0.6 miles (used up my energy in the garden).
    4/19 - 3.5 miles at 9.9mph.
    4/20 - 3.6 miles at 9.6mph listening to Haim. Took the rural route today. Love it.
    4/20 - 2.1 miles added at 8.5mph.
    4/21 - 4.8 miles at 10.3mph listening to pop music. Half rural, half residential.
    4/22 - 0.6 miles after again using up energy and daylight in the garden.
    4/23 - 2.8 miles at 9.9mph.
    4/24 - 2.9 miles at 10.1mph.
    4/25 - 1.9 miles at 9.6mph.
    4/26 - 2.4 miles at 8.0mph (tired from mowing). Goal for the month reached.


    Goal = 60 miles.
    MTD = 60.6 miles.
    Yet to ride = 0 miles.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Options
    312.0mi 16h 55m
  • looklucklove
    looklucklove Posts: 128 Member
    Options
    I am late jumping in on this...

    Question for the "serious" cyclists: what is the advantage of getting the special biking shoes that clip into the pedals? Do they give you a better work out?

    I go to spin class, that's the only cycling I do. So far this month, I've gone 12 times, and I'm able to get in at least 18 miles a class, sometimes up to 20.

    18 miles x 12 days = 216 miles! And there's still over a week left in the month! So I'll make my personal goal for the month 300 miles, and see if I need to adjust that number next month.

    I would love to cycle outside and get some fresh air, but my husband is convinced that I will ride out into traffic and get hit.:) So spin class will have to do for now!
    What?! 18-20 miles in one class?? I mean no disrespect, but I don't see how that is possible. I've never ridden on a "spin" bike or taken a class, but that would take me at least an hour on the road and I would never be able to do that many miles on the trainer yet.

    I don't know, is that unusual? We have to do sprints, and it's a 45 minute class, and I'm usually there riding about 10 minutes early. I know I'm not the fastest rider in the, but I usually hit 20 miles at 52-55 minutes.

    I know I'm not anything special-- maybe it's easier on a stationery bike?
  • Menoz
    Menoz Posts: 7
    Options
    Didn't get to ride as much as I wanted to thanks to a ton of rainy weather and personal obligations this week. Bleargh!

    Anyway, here are my tallies:

    April 2nd: 37.6 km/23.4 miles in 2:18:00
    April 3rd: 34 km/21.13 miles in 2:02:00
    April 7th: 40.8 km/25.35 miles in 2:22:42
    April 9th: 32.6km/20.26 miles in 1:54:46
    April 11th: 40.3 km/ 25 miles in 2:18:54
    April 14th: 41 km/25.48 miles in 2:22:22
    April 16th: 44.2 km/27.46 miles in 2:38:00
    April 18th: 41.7 km/25.91 miles in 2:28:13
    April 23rd: 40.3km/ 25 miles in 2:20:27
    April 24th: 36.6 km/ 22.75 miles in 2:10:58

    If the weather goes as predicted this week, I've got two good days for riding on the road. I'll have to drag the stationary bike out as well and see what I can do with it on the stormy days.
  • Menoz
    Menoz Posts: 7
    Options
    Whoops! Sorry about the double post!
  • Menoz
    Menoz Posts: 7
    Options
    I am late jumping in on this...

    Question for the "serious" cyclists: what is the advantage of getting the special biking shoes that clip into the pedals? Do they give you a better work out?

    I'm not sure I qualify as a "serious" cyclist, but I can tell you this much about cycling shoes: clips/cleats aren't the only feature of note. The stiffer sole of cycling shoes is very important, too, as it keeps your foot from flexing too much on the pedals.

    You can buy cycling shoes which look a lot like hiking/trekking/athletic shoes, which are still comfortable to wear walking around. I have a pair like this and I love them. I wear them outside on the bike and they've improved my pedal stroke considerably. I noticed the difference when I wore them for the first time on the exercise bike before taking them out for an actual ride.

    What's really nice is, if I decide to start riding with clips instead of pedals, I can install cleats by removing the little cover on the bottom and attaching the cleats to the shoes. They aren't super expensive so you might consider checking them out.
  • Noobette
    Noobette Posts: 15 Member
    Options
    I agree with Menoz - clips do help your pedal stroke and power on your bike, but they do take a lot of getting used to. If you're completely new to them, try straps that go over your foot or a toe-hold first to get a feel to having your foot attached to the bike. Once you're happy with that, go for the clips, just be careful to start with!
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    Options
    April 1 - rode 12.8 miles for a duration of 1:15:14 (gravel ride)
    April 2 - rode 30.2 miles for a duration of 2:09:38
    April 5 - rode 66 miles for a duration of 4:23:55 (gravel race)
    April 8 - rode 23.77 miles for a duration of 1:28:24
    April 9 - rode 11.4 miles for a duration of 1:18:17 (singletrack)
    April 10 - rode 16.4 miles for a duration of 1:15:06
    April 12 - rode 33 miles for a duration of 2:05:58
    April 13 - rode 28.2 miles for a duration of 1:29:58
    April 15 - rode 16.2 miles for a duration of 1:03:00
    April 16 - rode 18.8 miles for a duration of 1:50:24
    April 17 - rode 5.54 miles for a duration of 46:39 (difficult singletrack)
    April 17 - rode 9.86 miles for a duration of 1:22:10 (more difficult singletrack)
    April 18 - rode 14.9 miles for a duration of 1:20:30
    April 19 - rode 10.86 miles for a duration of 1:35:00 (mountain biking)
    April 20 - rode 33.4 miles for a duration of 1:59:49 (beautiful Easter Zone 2 ride on the road bike)
    April 21 - rode 18.4 miles for a duration of 1:29:05 (recovery spin)
    April 23 - rode 17.8 miles for a duration of 1:00:00
    April 25 - rode 27.1 miles for a duration of 2:04:00 (rear tire blow out!!!!)
    April 27 - rode 33.1 miles for a duration of 2:00:13

    Total for month of April: 427.73 miles/31:56:20 hours
  • MLitke12
    MLitke12 Posts: 15 Member
    Options
    I'd like to hit 125 miles in April (30ish a week) Since the weather here is still unpredictable, it will be a mix of outdoor and indoor trainer miles.

    April 1-12.1 on trainer
    April 2-9.1 on trainer

    April 6 -12.7 miles on trainer

    April 8- 9.4 miles - outside wahoo!

    April 12- 22 miles outside
    April 15 6.4 miles inside
    April 21- 11 miles outside
    April 23 - 9.5 miles outside
    april 25- 25.5 miles outside
    April 26- 7.3 miles
    Total so far: 125

    Goal Met!!! I pushed myself yesterday to get that last bit in because it looks like rain for the next few days here.
  • faugsu
    faugsu Posts: 330 Member
    Options
    4-2 30 miles
    4-8 20
    4-11 18
    4-14 16
    4-17 21
    4-18 15
    4-21 21
    4-22 21
    4-23 15
    4-24 30
    4-25 16
    4-26 34
    4-27 20 MTD 277
  • sajeffe
    sajeffe Posts: 850 Member
    Options
    4/1 - 2.3 miles. 9.4mph average. Listening to Footloose Soundtrack songs on the Walkman.
    4/2 - 3.0 miles. 9.3mph average. Listening to Lex Land on the Walkman.
    4/2 - Additional 3.2 miles today at 8.3mph listening to The Black Keys (a favorite).
    4/3 - 2.2 miles at 9.2mph.
    4/4 - 2.9 miles at 9.4mph listening to Lake Street Dive.
    4/5 - 2.3 miles at 9.3mph listening to The Black Keys again.
    4/8 - 2.3 miles at 9.1mph listening to Lake Street Dive.
    4/9 - 3.1 miles at 9.4mph listening to Motown playlist. So far, I'm on pace to meet my goal.
    4/9 - Another 1.3 miles for today.
    4/10 - 1.8 miles at 8.8mph.
    4/12 - 3.4 miles at 9.0mph listening to Lake Street Dive again.
    4/13 - 2.4 miles at 9.3mph listening to Jack White. (I feel a Jack White binge coming on.)
    4/14 - 3.4 miles at 9.2mph listening to Jack White.
    4/16 - 1.8 miles at 8.9mph.
    4/17 - 0.6 miles (used up my energy in the garden).
    4/19 - 3.5 miles at 9.9mph.
    4/20 - 3.6 miles at 9.6mph listening to Haim. Took the rural route today. Love it.
    4/20 - 2.1 miles added at 8.5mph.
    4/21 - 4.8 miles at 10.3mph listening to pop music. Half rural, half residential.
    4/22 - 0.6 miles after again using up energy and daylight in the garden.
    4/23 - 2.8 miles at 9.9mph.
    4/24 - 2.9 miles at 10.1mph.
    4/25 - 1.9 miles at 9.6mph.
    4/26 - 2.4 miles at 8.0mph (tired from mowing). Goal for the month reached.
    4/27 - 2.2 miles at 10.6mph between storms.


    Goal = 60 miles.
    MTD = 62.8 miles.
    Yet to ride = 0 miles.

Categories