The 2025 Half Century (50km or 50 mile) Challenge Chatzone.

[Norry1]

Well done all finishers

 

[kapelmuur]

How are you now ?

Thanks for asking! My right shoulder is still causing problems but I have developed a couple of other issues that are keeping me off the bike. Investigations starting next month, but I think exercise will be limited.

 

[Willd]

Another 50 miles today, so ending the year on 100 points in all challenges I was planning on going further, but it was 0.9 degrees at 10.30 this morning, so I did a revised route on the main roads.

 

[sevenfourate]

Thanks for asking! My right shoulder is still causing problems but I have developed a couple of other issues that are keeping me off the bike. Investigations starting next month, but I think exercise will be limited.

Damn. I’m sorry to hear that. I feel your pain.

I pretty much had a ‘year’ doing not much at all: due to a broken elbow and a very poor knee. NHS were useless on every level and private treatment / self help eventually got me through.

I hope you get resolution and solutions soon 🙏 Happy New Year 🎆

 

[ColinJ]

I am still thinking of getting one more 50 in before filing my December report.

I thought about doing one today. It was sunny earlier on, though cold, but before I went out a bored friend rang and asked if I fancied meeting her at a local cafe for coffee and cake, her treat? I said yes, and set off to meet her. We would be done before 14:00, which gave me the option of extending the ride home to a '50' if I felt like it.

I felt fine whizzing along the valley road to Hebden Bridge, but we were not meeting there; our cafe was up the hill in Heptonstall village. That is a testing little climb, and I was a little late so I tried making a big effort on the way up, but it wasn't long before the after-effects of a recent illness made themselves felt. Oh, ugh...! I didn't want a repeat of that infamous 2016 incident , so I had to drop down to my lowest gear and grovel up slowly.

My pal was waiting at the cafe for me. I slumped on a seat outside, feeling pretty rough.

Resting for 45 minutes while eating toast and cake with my coffee revived me somewhat, but the sun had hidden itself behind the clouds and I got very chilled sitting outside with my bike. I decided that I would just go straight home afterwards, so that is just the one '50' in December.

I will try to do more 50s in 2026 than I managed in 2025.

HNY to y'all!

 

[sevenfourate]

I thought about doing one today. It was sunny earlier on, though cold, but before I went out a bored friend rang and asked if I fancied meeting her at a local cafe for coffee and cake, her treat? I said yes, and set off to meet her. We would be done before 14:00, which gave me the option of extending the ride home to a '50' if I felt like it.

I felt fine whizzing along the valley road to Hebden Bridge, but we were not meeting there; our cafe was up the hill in Heptonstall village. That is a testing little climb, and I was a little late so I tried making a big effort on the way up, but it wasn't long before the after-effects of a recent illness made themselves felt. Oh, ugh...! I didn't want a repeat of that infamous 2016 incident , so I had to drop down to my lowest gear and grovel up slowly.

My pal was waiting at the cafe for me. I slumped on a seat outside, feeling pretty rough.

Resting for 45 minutes while eating toast and cake with my coffee revived me somewhat, but the sun had hidden itself behind the clouds and I got very chilled sitting outside with my bike. I decided that I would just go straight home afterwards, so that is just the one '50' in December.

I will try to do more 50s in 2026 than I managed in 2025.

HNY to y'all!

Happy and Healthy New Year Col 🎆

 

[Jenkins]

From the ride thread...

One last ride of the year, bright sunshine but never got above 3°C, so my final end of the month round up for 2025 is...
<snip>
I don't keep a points total, but that's 126 qualifying rides in the year with probably half a dozen 50 milers amongst them.

I've just realised that makes it the equivalent of 1 x 50k+ ride every three days!
@13 rider you've got a lot to answer for

 

[ColinJ]

Happy and Healthy New Year Col 🎆

Same to you!

I just need to be sensible when not feeling 100%. I was ok on the climb once I slowed down. I was 10 minutes late getting to the cafe, but at least I remained conscious this time!

 

[steverob]

I don't keep a points total, but that's 126 qualifying rides in the year with probably half a dozen 50 milers amongst them.

Had a quick look at the thread and found you went over the 50 mile / 80.4km mark nine times this year, so you would have scored 135 points.

 

[13 rider]

That's a wrap ,time for the yearly review. We had 24 starters in January of which 20 made it to the finish line an 83% success rate . Well done everyone
Congratulations to our fist timers getting over the line
@PaulSB ,@sevenfourate and @teeonethousand
Completing for the 2nd time
@gbs
3rd timers
@Donger and @Spartak ( I know how many he's done even if he can't remember 😁)
4th timers
@FrothNinja and @geocycle
5th timers
@Willd
6th timers
@bluenotebob
7th timers
@Jenkins
8th timers
@ColinJ ,@Osprey
9th timers
@Bazzer ,@bruce1530 and @Domus
Joining the 10 year club
@Jon George and @steverob
And finally the originals moving on to 11 times
@13 rider and @Spinney
Great effort everyone hope you've enjoyed the challenge and not cursed it or me to much as you done that extra loop to get to 50km 😁
A bit more motivation for @ColinJ and @Osprey get to April and you past the 100 month mark
See you all hopefully in the 26 challenge

 

[sevenfourate]

It’s motivated me to do rides and at times [Of the Year] - that I’ve never (?) done before. So I suspect the goal of enticing people out of the woodwork was absolutely effective in my case. And others I’m sure….

Thankyou for last years organising. And for your continued leadership in 2026.

Have a great years riding yourself @13 rider

 

[teeonethousand]

Many thanks for organising...and the odd cajole😂😂😂

 

[gbs]

@13rider; thank you fororganising and chivvying us along. It is good to have a challenge even though I have elected for the easiest on offer.