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

[wiggydiggy]

Well that was a struggle! I've had a cold/cough since Christmas so fueled by nothing more than hope and mucus I got the three done.

1. 01/01 - 19 miles 1:31
2. 04/01 - 7.6 miles 0:41
3. 04/01 - 5.7 miles 0:30

I'd be lying if said I wasnt clock watching on that last one lol!

 

[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

 

[wiggydiggy]

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

I'm in West Yorkshire so can be hilly, these were all local rides. The 17miler is a circuit I have that's normally closer to 20 but the transpennine route upgrade has closed a bridge, and it's a long detour which I didn't feel like so skipped the beginning.

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

When back at work from tomorrow I can post better - I prefer using my computer to a phone!

 

[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/

 

[wiggydiggy]

I've got snow predicted all week, a maximum temperature of 1c and an appointment with the doctor this morning as this cold will not shift - have had it since before Christmas.

I am not hopeful of doing any riding this week!

 

[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.

 

[wiggydiggy]

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.

Oh no panic, but will be disappointed if I have to stop this early. The issue is local roads, not main, are not gritted and my usual off road paths are sheet ice in weather like this. I've fallen before in these conditions so not keen on repeating that!

Edit - I might have spoken too soon, it's not warm out but it's definitely above freezing and melting well. Just need to shake this virus off before I ride though.

 

[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).