WonderMonkey

Let's try something a bit different. For some people the main goal may to be to gain consistency in getting out on the bike. From there the miles start to show up. Get the habit, get the miles. That's the way it is for me anyways.

So.... my goal is to get on my bike three times a week. We have just over 4 weeks in March so let's ignore the extra days and go for three times a week, shall we?

Who is in?
WonderMonkey
DEK
theone2496
vestroid
lenny866
youcoming
rec3036
TrojanHorse

goldfinch

Very good idea but I can't play. The second half of the month will be very little riding for me.

DEK

So, the idea is a minimum of 3 rides a week?

Heck, I'll give it a go. With the time change in a week, I should be able to get in more after work rides.

WonderMonkey

If you want to look at it that way. I was more saying 12 a month with 4 weeks (pretend) in that month that is 3 on average.

I'm trying to get consistent getting on the bike. When that happens everything else falls into place.

WonderMonkey

We will do it again next month and you can play then.

theone2496

Count me in! Weather is turning nice here in NE and I've been itching to get out this spring.

WonderMonkey

Done.

vesteroid

I'll take a stab at this, for march. I live in the mountains and we just had 3 days of snow this week, so weather dependant I am in.

lenny866

Ill go for 12. Daylight savings time starts this month so I can get in extra rides.
I was riding on weekends and running/lifting during the week. Now I'll add in mid week rides.

youcoming

Twelve will be awful hard for me too get in but will give it a go, now if the weather would play nice....

rec3036

I think I will jump in on this too... will help me reach my mileage goal too!

WonderMonkey

Done.

WonderMonkey

Done.

WonderMonkey

Done.

Same here. Might not make it this month but it will force me to try.

WonderMonkey

Done.

vesteroid

Got one ride in, going for a longer ride today. Going to try for a two hour ride.

Since I have never tried that before, I don't really know what to expect, but there is only one way to find out.

Spoked to be low 60s here, so great opportunity

rec3036

2 rides in so far trying for my 3rd this afternoon before getting the kids from school...41 and sunny right now, hopefully it warms up a little more by 3!!!

I feel GREAT when I ride... I am wondering why I don't do it more...

WonderMonkey

Isn't that a mystery? I tell my wife things like that all the time. And then I let life jump up and give me plenty of excuses.

TrojanHorse

Count me in for March... I'm at 3 so far. I was going to go again today but my knee hurts, I think I'll rest today (had an active weekend).

If I ride > 15 miles at a good clip, I feel FANTASTIC when I'm done. If I ride less than that, the euphoria isn't there. Go figure.

rec3036

I keep saying i am going to start riding my bike to work... but I am too much of a wimp to do it...

WonderMonkey

Added.

Agreed. However being consistent is such a challenge for me that if I get out a few times a week I feel pretty good about it.

WonderMonkey

What is really stopping you from riding in, the full distance? Here is how I did it at my last job and will do again at this job.

First I map it all out and get what I think is a fair route, trying to use as much bike trail as is reasonable. For me it is 20.3 miles one way.

Second I find some incremental places I can park and ride in. For instance there is a good place 10 miles away that I can park in the morning and ride into work. Then after work I ride back. If that kills me I will find a place closer. If that distance works will I'd do it a few more times to make sure I'm not overdoing it then I'd find a place a bit further away to start out.

It's possible you never go all the way back and forth to work. You may stay at the abbreviated distance. What I am doing is preparing for a full one way commute. Once I do that I'll either ride into work or from work to home, not both, due to time schedules. However once I am doing a full commute I'll be in shape enough that if I have a free evening (rare) I can do a two way commute just to push myself.

So.... if the full distance is a hindrance look for a place to park and do a partial.

TrojanHorse

I mean I feel good about getting rides in, don't get me wrong, but I'm positively high after a good ride, especially if the alternative was wimping out.

My latest trick to getting rides in - my 9 yr old son is a diver and has practice 4x a week. 5:30-7 on Mondays and Wednesdays and 4:15 to 6:15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I've been throwing the bike in the back of the truck and riding while he's at practice. I'd go at lunch but my day always gets really busy, and later in the afternoon gets rough with impending kid pick-ups and soccer, diving, basketball etc. I'm just not a morning person (so I'm not getting up at 6 to go for a ride by myself, but I'll do it to get to a group ride by 8, go figure). So, if I'm good, I'll get at least 2 15 mile rides in while he's diving and nobody misses me while I'm gone. I work from home so I can't commute to work.

You just have to find the time I guess.

rec3036

It takes me less than 10 minutes to drive it but probably triple that to ride. I am just making excuses for being a wimp, I rode 18 miles on Friday...

But I did manage to get 4.8 miles in after work before getting the kids from school... so that makes 3 for the month so far... looking to do the same thing tomorrow!

WonderMonkey

I'm not a morning person either, I have to force it.

As far as your schedule I am similar. Travel basketball just got over and we had already started the fastpitch, etc. Rarely time for any "me time". However the trade is worth it as long as I don't drop over dead.