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

[steverob]

Had hoped to get another point in on Saturday, but as I reached the halfway point of my ride (and the half I'd done was the tougher half - lots of climbing and into the wind) I got a phone call from home telling me to head back urgently as there was a family emergency. Luckily with a tailwind the direct route back took me less than 40 minutes compared to the 80 it took me to get to that point, but there was no chance of getting out again to finish off the missing seven miles unfortunately.

 

[ColinJ]

So I couldn't get out on Saturday, about the only free day I would have had in Jan so far where the weather hasn't been atrocious.

If @ColinJ's forum ride doesn't happen on Saturday I'll have to wrap up and force myself out, maybe go visit my mum, usually a 29 mile round trip but take more a roundabout route. Either that or sack the challenge off again for another year.

I did the right thing postponing on Saturday because I am still not 100%, but it had some of the best weather here recently so that was a pity!

I have been doing some turbo sessions but only a maximum of 1.5 hours easy, or about 75 minutes making more effort, and they were about as much as I felt ready for.

I hope that I get back to normal this week and if I do I might try to squeeze a 50 in during the week in case the Saturday ride gets put back again.

Fingers crossed for that Saturday ride. We should have a better idea of the weather prospects by Wednesday or Thursday.

 

[PaulSB]

🤞🤞🤞 tomorrow looks like the day.........🤞🤞🤞

 

[sevenfourate]

Had hoped to get another point in on Saturday, but as I reached the halfway point of my ride (and the half I'd done was the tougher half - lots of climbing and into the wind) I got a phone call from home telling me to head back urgently as there was a family emergency. Luckily with a tailwind the direct route back took me less than 40 minutes compared to the 80 it took me to get to that point, but there was no chance of getting out again to finish off the missing seven miles unfortunately.

Hope all was as ok as could be hoped for with your Family emergency…..

 

[PaulSB]

I had begun to think I would fall at the first hurdle. The 19th was the first decent riding day this year. I used that one for the 100km challenge thinking there was plenty of time for the 50.

Here we are 9 days later and only the second rideable day of the month. Knocked out 63 toughish miles with three buddies and a decent cafe for good measure. Glorious in the sun but when we left the cafe the sun went in and the 75 - 90 minutes home were pretty chilly.

I used a skull cap today. I may have to rethink that. Absolutely drenched in sweat and I was much sweatier at the end than usual.

All's well that ends well. I don't do failure.......at least I don't take it very well. 🤣

 

[Pgd]

It's not just you @13 rider - there are a few of us on here who don't cross-post.

These are separate challenges and require separate rides.

I would object quite loudly if anyone posted one distance ride in two distance challenges

I hope @PaulSB doesn't do that

Hi there, first year for me of trying these challenges. What are your opinions on a single ride counting for both a distance and a climbing challenge (rather than two distance challenges)? I've not been able to get out so far this month, but today I completed a planned route that hit both 50km distance and my Lunacy climbing target of 600m. If it's frowned upon then I guess at least I won't have automatically failed the Lunacy challenge at the end of the month...

I work in central London and part-drive part-cycle commute up from Sussex, so I'm familiar with Crystal Palace etc. but had never (at least not on two wheels) been to North London. I nicked part of someone's RideWithGPS route and did loops around Ally Pally, Muswell Hill, Highgate (including Swains Lane) and Hampstead to get the climbs in, before getting the distance in by cycling back down south of the river. Lovely stuff -- except for all the traffic and roadworks!!

 

[13 rider]

Hi there, first year for me of trying these challenges. What are your opinions on a single ride counting for both a distance and a climbing challenge (rather than two distance challenges)? I've not been able to get out so far this month, but today I completed a planned route that hit both 50km distance and my Lunacy climbing target of 600m. If it's frowned upon then I guess at least I won't have automatically failed the Lunacy challenge at the end of the month...

I work in central London and part-drive part-cycle commute up from Sussex, so I'm familiar with Crystal Palace etc. but had never (at least not on two wheels) been to North London. I nicked part of someone's RideWithGPS route and did loops around Ally Pally, Muswell Hill, Highgate (including Swains Lane) and Hampstead to get the climbs in, before getting the distance in by cycling back down south of the river. Lovely stuff -- except for all the traffic and roadworks!!

Welcome to the challenge . I have no problem with your ride counting in a distance challenge and a climbing challenge as your measuring different things . There are no rules against posting a ride in different challenges ,however it considered bad etiquette to post distance rides in multiple 'distance' challenges but mixing distance and climbing doesn't bother me
Also the Lunacy challenge isn't monthly it requires you to do 13 rides anytime of the year so you wouldn't be out of the climbing challenge yet if you decide not to use this ride in it

 

[sevenfourate]

Hi there, first year for me of trying these challenges. What are your opinions on a single ride counting for both a distance and a climbing challenge (rather than two distance challenges)? I've not been able to get out so far this month, but today I completed a planned route that hit both 50km distance and my Lunacy climbing target of 600m. If it's frowned upon then I guess at least I won't have automatically failed the Lunacy challenge at the end of the month...

I work in central London and part-drive part-cycle commute up from Sussex, so I'm familiar with Crystal Palace etc. but had never (at least not on two wheels) been to North London. I nicked part of someone's RideWithGPS route and did loops around Ally Pally, Muswell Hill, Highgate (including Swains Lane) and Hampstead to get the climbs in, before getting the distance in by cycling back down south of the river. Lovely stuff -- except for all the traffic and roadworks!!

Welcome to the Challenges and grats on getting January safely under the belt 😁

 

[bluenotebob]

What are your opinions on a single ride counting for both a distance and a climbing challenge

No problem (as @13 rider says above). I've also replied to you in the Lunacy Climbing challenge chatzone

 

[C R]

Finally got my ärse into gear and managed a 52k ride this month. I'm in by the skin o'my teeth, but I'm in. I'm hoping I can keep in the challenge.

 

[bluenotebob]

Finally got my ärse into gear and managed a 52k ride this month

Good to see you back in the challenge!

Take your camera next time ...

 

[C R]

Good to see you back in the challenge!

Take your camera next time ...

The camera is a bit big and cumbersome for the bike. I used to take photos with my mobile. I need to remember to take them.

 

[Jenkins]

I deliberately went out on today's ride with the Garmin display showing the map so I wasn't worried about my speed or distance - until I reached a known 1 mile from home point when I changed the display and the distance was showing 48.78 miles. I couldn't decide whether my own desire to get the 50 miles or to finish at 49.8 just to annoy @13 rider was the most important. Glad I went for the 50 as it turns out that my other two rides this week totalled 49.99 miles and possibly finishing the week 0.2 miles short of 100 would have really bugged me.

 

[ColinJ]

@13 rider can relax about me and @Dadam - we met up today and got our qualifying rides done for January!

@Dadam did close to 60 km despite us cutting our route slightly to dodge the coming rain (and to get to the cafe before it closed!).

I was on about 75 km when I got back to Todmorden. I couldn't face having to explain failing to top that up to 80.5+ km to be able to claim a 50-miler so I added a loop to Walsden and back... 81.1 km, 50.4 miles.

 

[bruce1530]

Sneaking in at the last minute - no surprises there, it's been the pattern for the last 12 months or so. Cycling Mojo has mostly gone for the moment, it's just stubbornness that's keeping me in the challenge!
But I've been doing it for 9 years - can't drop out now!

Last day of the month, biting headwind from the East when I left the house, first 10k was a complete slog into the wind.
turned right (ish), prevailing wind is now more of a cross wind and there are plenty of hedges, so much better.

10k later I'm near Kilmarnock, took the cycle path towards Irvine. Old railway route, so flat and straight, And the wind's behind me now!

South again for a bit towards Dundonald, then to Troon. There's a new cycle path being constructed - the dundonald bit still isn't finished - the hardcore is down, but no tar. So stayed on the main road. Horrible busy road - hopefully the path will be finished in a few weeks, and I'll never have to do that road again!

Further on, the path is complete - apparently it was tarred on Friday - and as smooth as a snooker table.

Into Barassie, then Troon, and on towards Prestwick.

Nearing prestwick airport (42k) I remembered we were going out in the afternoon and should have been home by now, so jumped on a train to a station nearer home, 50.5k when I got back into the driveway.