If you’ve not heard of it before, 30 Days of Biking is a personal challenge with a charitable edge. People pledge to ride their bike every day in April, and for every two that do, 1USD is donated to World Bicycle Relief. This year we have five riders attempting the challenge.
Day 2:
Adele
It’s surely a message from The Gods of Mountain Biking, calling me back to the trails.
Giles
Still raining and a long ride planned for tomorrow, today was about opening maps and discovering some new (to me) local bridleways. A convoluted 1200ft of mainly off-road ascent lead me to the world famous May’s Shop for random browsing and Snickers based chocolate.
Greg
Recovery ride today on the silly bike. Few people out, not surprising as I rode around some bits I didn’t know existed in the Boondocks of Calderdale. At no point was I asked to squeal. Until my brakes failed. 30km, 2hours, 711m of climbing. Gritty as f**k.
Hannah
A family ride. 14 miles along a ‘Greenway’ – actually a dog turd lined strip of tarmac along a former railway line through the back of various industrial estates and landfill sites. But, for its novel flatness and traffic freeness, a pleasant afternoon out.
Lara
18 laps of my street on the road bike tweaking cleats/new shoes for tomorrow followed by a ride to the pub for a cheeky pint. Down hill and off-road home.
Rachel
Of all the things you expect to see when out on a bike ride, a wrought iron gate depicting a Victorian gentleman riding a penny farthing is not one of them
Day 3:
Adele
Rode in the evening and got the trails to myself.
Giles
Today was brutal. Today I learnt just how good other riders are. Today I was that person lagging behind. Today I bailed and free-formed my way home. That said I still did 46 miles mainly off-road on trails new to me, clocked up over 7000 feet of climbing and the weather was glorious.
Greg
101km, 6hrs 19mins, 2,900m around the gRVOL route. Near perfect day after a grotty start had a mix of great trails, ample gravel and a dose of road and cobbles. Fun day, really looking forward to extending it more!
Hannah
Set off in the rain, which gave way to fog, which gave way to sunshine. Skylarks and curlews, quiet trails, 20km and 500m climb. All before lunch. Perfect.
Lara
Ride out with the local tri club with a Hipster breakfast in the middle. Mason jars in Tewkesbury???
Rachel
Note to self: before riding check you have multi-tool so able to remove bolt-through rear wheel in case of freak puncture. Luckily the Broom Wagon was available to come and rescue me.
Onwards…
Three days done. What will the week ahead bring? Five days of commutes? Or will someone go on a jealousy inducing adventure? Check out the hashtag #30Daysof Biking to see what the rest of the world is doing – maybe it’ll inspire you to get in that extra ride.
