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

[13 rider]

W1 ride 1 31st Dec 31.8 miles 2hr 7min
W1 ride 2 1st Jan 31.8 miles 2hrs 4min
W1 ride 3 3rd Jan 10.2 miles 41mins

I give it go not sure about next week's weather . I'm not risking icy conditions for a challenge

 

[bluenotebob]

I give it go not sure about next week's weather . I'm not risking icy conditions for a challenge

Really good to see you in this challenge!

Weather looks likely to change here around Wed/Thurs next week with milder conditions coming in from the SW - means wind and rain but no risk of ice after Tuesday night

I hope that will also apply to Leicestershire.

 

[bluenotebob]

Today was two rides, with a coffee break back at home between them so I think that counts.

Yes: no problem.

 

[Gwylan]

Well, W1 was a catastrophe.
Managed 1 outing
W1R1 48 min, coastal capers

Good sense and cold restricted activity.

 

[bluenotebob]

Well, W1 was a catastrophe.
Managed 1 outing

That's a shame @Gwylan - Week 1 this year was a bit tricky - better luck next year

Will you have a crack at another challenge in 2026?

Why not consider the Lunacy Distance challenge? Set yourself a distance target and complete 13 rides at (or over) that distance before the end of 2026.

Read about it here:

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/2026-annual-lunacy-distance-challenge.309255/

 

[bluenotebob]

I am not hopeful of doing any riding this week!

Don't panic - there are still six days of the week left.

The weather is changing, although the further north you are, the slower that change will be.

Outside chance of blizzards on Friday, which isn't good news - so keep watching the weather forecast.

Bottom line is don't risk your health for this challenge - but if there's a chance to get out, go for it.

 

[Gwylan]

That's a shame @Gwylan - Week 1 this year was a bit tricky - better luck next year

Will you have a crack at another challenge in 2026?

Why not consider the Lunacy Distance challenge? Set yourself a distance target and complete 13 rides at (or over) that distance before the end of 2026.

Read about it here:

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/2026-annual-lunacy-distance-challenge.309255/

At my age next year is very optimistic.

 

[FrothNinja]

First ride of the year pushing myself today - zone 0 1%, zone 1 14%, zone 2 62%, zone 3 23%. I don't often get into 3 but I decided to take advantage of the cold still conditions and do a few sprints. 49 kph max which is slightly annoying.
Hoping to get another two rides in this week.
Folda is on standby in case the forecast snow actually arrives. If it does I'll be looking at a 4.9 kph max

 

[Jon George]

So I managed to pop in another ride for last week on the Sunday (a route around town - including Christchurch Park - of 75 mins) and for this week: Mon 60 mins Town plus Westerfield; Tues 55 mins Egg Run to Nacton and then Sainsbury's; Thurs 55 mins Nacton and Sainsbury's (to claim this week); Saturday 60 mins Levington (to test a new saddle).

 

[13 rider]

Unfortunately I'm out already with only 1 outdoor ride this week I can't do enough . The conditions are awful round here I have 1 neighbour with a broken elbow slipped on black ice and been this morning to get another neighbours car out of a ditch with help from a local farmer they were lucky that they were uninjured and the car only get scratches so I didn't get enough ride in early in the week when it was just windy and I'm not prepared to take chances with ice

 

[bluenotebob]

I didn't get enough ride in early in the week when it was just windy and I'm not prepared to take chances with ice

That's tough @13 rider ... but at least you got your metric century for January done this week.

It's been a difficult start to 2026 and I'm sad to see you leave this challenge - but I understand your concerns about cycling on ice.

 

[bluenotebob]

Fingers crossed I can get out there.

Go on @wiggydiggy ... get out there tomorrow and smash it (or at least stay outside and upright for 30 mins)

 

[FrothNinja]

I did No 2 today, was very wary and avoided some paths I knew would be lethal.

I need No 3 tomorrow but with temps of 1-2c and rain all days, chances of sleet are high. Fingers crossed I can get out there.

Part of my Monday excursion involved walking over sheets of ice. Go safe and steady.

 

[Jon George]

Got in another ride that counts for this week. The first past took me through The Docks (now renamed The Waterfront, but I can remember when it was a working environment) and was able to use one of the newly installed 'binoculars' dotted around town. These are interactive and as you pan around, you are treated to what you might have seen in Victorian times (I tracked a barge sailing past heading for the upper part of the docks - similar to one berthed here).

 

[bluenotebob]

Week 2: 4 local rides over 30 mins; 4.35 hours on the bike; distance cycled 57.29km (486m of Ascent)

Ride 1: Wednesday 7th Jan – local ride on the RAID: 16.70km, 81 mins
Ride 2: Friday 9th Jan (1) – local ride on the RAID: 8.62km, 42 mins
Ride 3: Friday 9th Jan (2) – local ride on the Crosshill: 16.44km, 72 mins
Ride 4: Saturday 10th Jan – local ride on the MASSI: 15.52km, 67 mins

Photo below actually from last week but I was there again yesterday afternoon – and, unsurprisingly, nothing has changed (apart from the weather – it was much colder, wetter, and windier yesterday – and I was on a different bike: one of my mountain bikes because of the conditions)