Three 30-minute rides each week of the year 2026 challenge

[bluenotebob]

Do a minimum of three outdoor rides per week for each week of the year. Indoor rides do not qualify.

Each ride to last a minimum of 30 minutes. It’s preferable that each of the three rides takes place on a different day of the week – but that’s not mandatory (two rides on the same day will qualify – but they must be distinctly separate rides.)

Ride time is defined as ‘moving time’ and does not include any time stopped for taking photos, for example.

Try and post in this thread at least once a week – ride details to include week#, ride#, day, length of time on the bike – plus a ride description (if you want). Photos welcome!

Week 1 starts on Monday 29th December 2025 and runs to Sunday 4th January 2026. Each week will run from Monday to Sunday (so Week 2 will be 5th January to 11th January – and Week 52 from 21st December to 27th December).

Start by posting your Week 1 rides below … and good luck!

 

[bluenotebob]

I really hope it's the second I want to sign up for this,

Sorry @wiggydiggy - the text in my opening post was incorrect (now changed).

Yes - Week 1 of this year's challenge starts tomorrow (Monday 29th December) and runs to Sunday 4th January.

I hope you can get some rides done next week and join us.

 

[Zoglug83]

I am trying to work out if this will be feasible for me....its a great way of getting myself to commute to work, regardless of the weather BUT.....I am away for 10 days in the summer and need to work out how my holiday falls and if it means I will always fail the challenge!

 

[bluenotebob]

I am away for 10 days in the summer and need to work out how my holiday falls and if it means I will always fail the challenge!

Yes - holidays can make this challenge complicated.

Trying to get three rides done either side of your holiday would be best, if feasible. Don't forget that you can do two of the three rides on the same day.

Otherwise consider the possibility of hiring a bike when you're on holiday?

 

[Gwylan]

Sorry @wiggydiggy - the text in my opening post was incorrect (now changed).

Yes - Week 1 of this year's challenge starts tomorrow (Monday 29th December) and runs to Sunday 4th January.

I hope you can get some rides done next week and join us.

But Monday 29th is today? Am I being thicker than other posters?

 

[Gwylan]

Here we go, week 1, day 29/1, 16.2 km, 48min, faffing about the n Kent coast. Appointment mix up.

 

[bluenotebob]

Welcome to the challenge @Gwylan

It always helps getting a ride done on Monday - makes the rest of the week just that bit easier.

 

[Milzy]

I’ll do Fri, Sat, Sun then.

 

[Gwylan]

Welcome to the challenge @Gwylan

It always helps getting a ride done on Monday - makes the rest of the week just that bit easier.

Thank you.
Now I've got to stick at it.

 

[Jon George]

I'm intending to usually post at the end of the week, but just to let you know, I settled in and did a ride on Monday. (A standard ride out from Ipswich to Levington Marina and back that takes about 50 minutes - a route which will getting a lot of use if I manage to get through a whole year of this. )

 

[bluenotebob]

I'm intending to usually post at the end of the week, but just to let you know, I settled in and did a ride on Monday. (A standard ride out from Ipswich to Levington Marina and back that takes about 50 minutes - a route which will getting a lot of use if I manage to get through a whole year of this

Welcome to the challenge!

Yes, I think you’ll find that you’ll drop into the rhythm of repeating certain circuits quite regularly.

You’ll probably also end up checking the weather forecast more often than you did before.

Don’t become daunted at the prospect of 51 more weeks to go. I suggest you have a good plan for this week and a vague plan for next week – stick to it and then the weeks will just tick by.

 

[Jon George]

That's the first week completed. Three rides - all the same route - out to Levington and back. I'll try to remember to pause and take the occasional photo next week.

 

[FrothNinja]

W1R1 - 35 mins - Tues - local miles
W1R2 - 1 hour 52 mins - Thu - Loch Ettrick, Forest of Ae, tarmac and gravel taking it easy
W1R3 - 32 mins - Sun - local miles (freezing and now trying to get feeling in my toes)

 

[bluenotebob]

Week 1: 7 local rides over 30 mins; 8.5 hours on the bike; distance cycled 118.12km (992m of Ascent)

Ride 1: Monday 29/12 – local ride on the MASSI: 15.07km, 63 mins
Ride 2: Tuesday 30/12 – local ride on the RAID: 17.26km, 81 mins
Ride 3: Thursday 01/01 – local ride on the MASSI: 20.15km, 85 mins
Ride 4: Friday 02/01 – local ride on the Urban Shaper: 22.33km, 100 mins
Ride 5: also Friday 02/01 – local ride on the RAID: 8.52km, 35 mins
Ride 6: Saturday 03/01 – local ride on Katie-Mae: 19.32km, 82 mins
Ride 7: Sunday 04/01 – local ride on the MASSI: 15.47km, 68 mins

 

[bluenotebob]

Well that was a struggle!

Welcome to the challenge @wiggydiggy !

You've made it through the first week, battling illness and cold weather, so well done.

What part of the country are you cycling in?

Could I please ask you to annotate your rides with the relevant day of the week.

Hope you get over your cold soon