The 2026 Half Century (50km or 50 mile) a month challenge chatzone

[C R]

First ride of spring, I was expecting sun, but it was foggy and cold. Nice ride anyway, and Shellford is passable again.

All that was under water just a couple of weeks ago!

 

[13 rider]

March round up and last weekend warning . We have 23 riders fully posted up for March leaving just 2 to declare so a nudge for @bruce1530 and @steveindenmark

 

[VinSumRox]

I have quite a few to add, I was going to wait until the end of the month or is it easier for you for us to keep adding during the month?
Anyway added March so far.

 

[13 rider]

JANUARY Tally 5 points

4th Jan
54.5km , 685m, Melrose, Bowden, Selkirk loop
1 point
12th Jan 64.2km 789m Selkirk, Ettrick, Innerleithen loop.
1 Point
20th Jan 67.8 km 1096m loop Clovenfords to Earlston loop
1 point
26th Jan 53.2 miles, 3020 feet. Newtown St Boswells to Kelso, return via Ancrum
2 points

FEBRUARY total 4 points

Feb 2nd 75.8km 1139m. Selkirk, Hawick, Lilliesleaf and back.
1 point
Feb 17th 77km 709m Selkirk, Meggethead, Innerleithen loop 1 point
Feb 22nd 52km 478m Peebles and back 1 point.
Feb 23rd 71km 1315m Kelso, Earlston loop 1 point.
Feb 27th 57km 475m Peebles cafe run 1 point

MARCH

1st 50.8 km 493m up, Galashiels to Innerleithen and back - 1pt
3rd 109km (67.6 miles) and 946m Circuit to Talla , Tweedsmuir and back by Peebles - 3 pts
4th 53.4km and 678m St. Boswells and Selkirk circuit. 1 pt.
7th 64km and 855m Granites loop via Innerleithen and Heriot - 1pt
8th 54km and 451m Peebles and back - 1 pt
10th 101km (63 miles) and 1544m Melrose to the Carter Bar and back via Chesters - 3 pts
14th 50.3km and 496m Kaizlie Gdns and back - 1pt
18th 81.2km (50.5 miles) and 1128m Melrose Kelso loop - 2pts
21st 75km and 1046m Melrose and Hassendean loop - 1pt
22nd 57.2 km and 486m - cafe run to Kaizlie and back - 1pt
26th 71.5km and 910m Gravel ride loop round Melrose and St Boswells - 1pt.

March total 16pts

RUNNING TOTAL 25 points

I see you have adjusted Marchs total but your 1 short for Feb

 

[VinSumRox]

I see you have adjusted Marchs total but your 1 short for Feb

Good spot! Corrected now!

 

[bruce1530]

March round up and last weekend warning . We have 23 riders fully posted up for March leaving just 2 to declare so a nudge for @bruce1530 and @steveindenmark

I'm making a bit of a habit of being last.

To be honest, a couple of days ago I was resigned to dropping out the challenge. Mixture of ill health, family hassles, work commitments, foul weather and general can't-be-botheredness. But today, stubbornness was the winner.

I'd taken dad's car for a MOT, to a friend's garage, in the middle of nowhere, about 10k from my house and 20k from his. Daughter gave me a lift to drop it off in the morning, but late afternoon the weather looked OK, so bike. A loop from home, to Kilwinning, Kilmaurs and back to the garage near Irvine was 31k. Slightly worried that the bike wouldn't fit in a Clio.I guessed it would be OK even if I had to take wheels off, but then remembered I had full mudguards on. would they need to come off too? Anyway, it was fine, car passed MOT, bike fitted in boot with seats folded and front wheel off. Drove it back to dad's then bike home.
They live in a village in a valley, pretty much no way out without a steep climb! The direct road home is about 8k, narrow, winding, a big hill, and very busy. Did it on bike once, never again. So took the scenic route - partly via NCN7, deserted farm roads, although still a few short steep hills.

48 as I neared home, so slight detour, rolled into the driveway on 50k just as the sun was setting on the last day of the month. Squeaked in!

 

[13 rider]

Off the Mark for April out early for a nice ride around Leicestershire countryside 49.8 miles in total so just 1 point will update challenge later

 

[C R]

Off the Mark for April out early for a nice ride around Leicestershire countryside 49.8 miles in total so just 1 point will update challenge later

 

[ColinJ]

An invalid ride on the 1st April, eh! Oh hang on...

 

[C R]

An invalid ride on the 1st April, eh! Oh hang on...

Oops, good point.

 

[bluenotebob]

Oops, good point.

Yes - only one "good" point.

Do you think the old chap is winding us up?

 

[13 rider]

Well spotted @ColinJ
Properly off the mark now with my standard Upton loop for 31.8 miles honest 😁

 

[Domus]

A bit chilly and the wind was still blowing a bit early doors, turned out I was a little overdressed for the climb up Holcombe hill. Cracking views over Rossendale though. Clouded over and the temp soon dropped so my choice of clothing was vindicated. 500+ metres of upness in 50 Kms. Not much flat around these here parts.

 

[C R]

A bit of a stiff headwind on the way out, and feeling a bit chilly. I wondered if I was going to be underdressed. The effort against the headwind compensated for the lighter clothes, and it got warmer as the ride progressed, so I was almost overdressed by the time I got home.

 

[ColinJ]

A bit chilly and the wind was still blowing a bit early doors, turned out I was a little overdressed for the climb up Holcombe hill. Cracking views over Rossendale though. Clouded over and the temp soon dropped so my choice of clothing was vindicated. 500+ metres of upness in 50 Kms. Not much flat around these here parts.

I still call in here despite dropping out of the 50 challenge.

It feels weird not having to push my ride distances up to 50/80.5 (50 miles)/100 km!

I am currently down in equally 'not much flat around these here parts' Devon, battling the chilly winds and hills. I will have to try to motivate myself to up the ride distances for old time's sake.