60 Day Challenge

triggermortis · 15-03-2021 3:21pm #1

My wife and a few of her friends are undertaking a challenge to walk 10km a day and lay off the booze for 60 days, starting on Paddy's Day.
I'm not as big into walking so I'm going to cycle around 40km a day for the 60 days. I'll be doing some walking as we have a new puppy, but I won't be walking with the women, and I won't be recording the walks.
My total aim is to do 2500km by May 16th, and I'll be recording it all here.

Better go get a few beers in to enjoy while I can....

triggermortis · 17-03-2021 2:25pm

Day 1 - Paddy's day!

https://www.strava.com/activities/4961665228

45km in decent dry weather.

Also did another 7km after with Cian (his goal is to do 300km in 60 days)

https://www.strava.com/activities/4961665202

triggermortis · 18-03-2021 1:59pm

Day 2

Felt tired at the start, and the wind didn't help. Met someone on the road after 10km and decided to ride with them for the usual Thursday spin. After coffee, rode with a few more lads to give me 61km total

triggermortis · 19-03-2021 8:03pm

Day 3
https://www.strava.com/activities/4971921765

41km done, bright and sunny

triggermortis · 20-03-2021 2:10pm

Day 4

https://www.strava.com/activities/4977865571

Dry and bright but cool enough. Had to ride past the house and circle back to make the 40km

triggermortis · 21-03-2021 2:14pm

Day 5
https://www.strava.com/activities/4984420213

Didn't feel too energetic today, and the headwind from Rush to Balbriggan certainly didn't help.
Going up the 'EEC climb' (strava segment) I passed a couple with a young child who had stopped her bike. As I passed, I heard the father telling her "You can't always go fast, look how slow that man is going.."
TBH he was just voicing what I'd been saying in my head since I left the house!

Out again with my son for his 7.5km meander
https://www.strava.com/activities/4984420294

triggermortis · 22-03-2021 2:08pm

Day 6
https://www.strava.com/activities/4990105834

Cooler and harder to get going this morning. Had to wait for a parcel to arrive before heading out, so was a later start than I wanted. Felt good at the end

triggermortis · 23-03-2021 12:40pm

Day 7.
Cool and windy. Had a riding partner today, so the time passed quicker and we pushed each other on a bit in places. Even got a couple of new PR's

triggermortis · 24-03-2021 12:56pm

Day 8

48km today with a tough headwind most of the time

triggermortis · 25-03-2021 5:47pm

Day 9

46Km slog in the wind. Weather didn't look good enough for the good bike, so took the commuter + mudguards. Hardly enjoyed a second of it, due to the strong wind and tired legs.

triggermortis · 26-03-2021 12:43pm

Day 10

40km
Started off nice enough so got out the good bike. Had company today to help me along. After being around 7 degrees, the temp dropped to under 2 and we got a shower , with some sleet and hail mixed in. I only had light gloves on so my hands felt it. Badly. Could barely change gears or brake properly, so headed for home to thaw out. Never had such cold hands in my life - I actually felt sick as they warmed up again at home.
I also now need to clean my bike!

triggermortis · 27-03-2021 12:30pm

Day 11

48km, dry warmer than yesterday but still windy.
Got more into it after the first 15-20km and headed for Walshestown, that I was supposed to do yesterday. I’ve been down it a few times but hadn’t realised I’d not been up it before. I’m not a huge lover of hills, but was going ok until I caught up with 2 horses near the top, which slowed me down. I think I preferred this side to going up from the Naul rd side.

triggermortis · 28-03-2021 1:55pm

Day 12

40km - very blustery out today. Quite warm, so didn't really need all the winter kit I had on. My start was delayed as a cleat broke on my winter boot and I needed to drill and ezy- out the old screw to remove it.
Didn't feel too energetic today, mainly due to the wind but at least it was dry.

triggermortis · 29-03-2021 5:29pm

Day 13
Warm enough for shirts and short sleeves - even though it is still quite windy. 48km

triggermortis · 30-03-2021 8:41pm

Day 14

44.6km on my own after a 10.5km with my son. Nice day for it with less wind than the past few days. Saw quite a few lads out.
After yesterday afternoons spin in shorts, I noticed a slight beginning of a tan line on my legs

triggermortis · 31-03-2021 11:30am

Day 15
https://www.strava.com/activities/5042511186

42km @ 28kmh, which is good for me, I thought.
Dry but cloudy but enjoyed the spin

triggermortis · 01-04-2021 4:31pm

Day 16

https://www.strava.com/activities/5047442539

https://www.strava.com/activities/5050034948

First commute of the challenge and first commute in nearly a month, as I had to use leave up or lose it. The way in wasn't too bad and I felt quite fresh, but after 10 hours doing more than I'm used to lately, I came back to a flat tyre. Didn't find anything in the tyre which I always find worrying, but changed the tube and got under way.
Tyre seemed a bit flat so I took it easy in case it went down again, but it made it home - including the extra 1km I stuck on to make up the 40. checked it on my track pump and it was only 35psi.
I've let out all the CO2 and pumped it with air to 100 and I'll check it again later to see if it needs further investigation..

triggermortis · 03-04-2021 5:36am

Day 17

Didn't cycle to work as I had to take someone to the airport, so got out for a spin after work
https://www.strava.com/activities/5056658076

41Km dry but cool. Tried my new Siroko photochromatic glasses for the first time and found them really good

triggermortis · 03-04-2021 5:38am

Day 18

Part 1https://www.strava.com/activities/5058847023

Cold ride into work - Garmin read 0.3 degrees just after Blakes Cross so just as well I had the winter gloves on!

Edit: just had a quiet moment in work so totted up my running total so far:
784km ridden and 6733m of elevation

part 2
https://www.strava.com/activities/5062112586

40km total

triggermortis · 04-04-2021 6:06am

Day 19

Part 1 https://www.strava.com/activities/5065054272

Colder than yesterday -1.5 was the lowest I saw on the Garmin today. New Siroko jacket was toasty though..

part 2 https://www.strava.com/activities/5068195394

13 degrees now, so wish I'd taken other kit as it was a bit warm riding in winter tights and a long sleeve jacket. At least I didn't need gloves!!

triggermortis · 05-04-2021 5:16pm

Day 20

46km around NCD. Decided on heading out on the good bike on quiet roads instead of cycling to and from work later in the dark with all the muppets on the road.
Bright and dry but cold and windy. Was only home an hour and there was a snow shower!! Glad I missed that!

https://www.strava.com/activities/5073954535

triggermortis · 06-04-2021 3:57pm

Day 21
https://www.strava.com/activities/5079446105

40km on a cold and blustery afternoon. Had a couple of snow showers at the start, then sunshine, but always cold and quite strong wind.
Used the wind to set a few PB's but was only aiming for 1 as I'd noticed yesterday that the segment lasted longer than I thought

triggermortis · 07-04-2021 5:03pm

Day 22
https://www.strava.com/activities/5085416744

Started raining at the end, but warmer and less windy than the past few days

triggermortis · 08-04-2021 3:44pm

Day 23
https://www.strava.com/activities/5090696938

Same route as yesterday and seemed slower, but was only a minute slower despite the wind being a lot stronger today. Wind never seemed to be behind me. A couple of rain showers, but not enough for the rain jacket

triggermortis · 09-04-2021 12:48pm

Day 24
https://www.strava.com/activities/5095558681

Really didn't feel like it today so took things easy. Dry and bright but that wind is still about

triggermortis · 10-04-2021 11:16am

Day 25
https://www.strava.com/activities/5100606788

Really had nothing in the legs today. Really cold, so full winter kit on but at least it was dry and bright. Did pass a woman on Coast Rd in shorts and short sleeves - she must be made of sterner stuff than me (and almost everyone else I saw out today)

triggermortis · 11-04-2021 4:42pm

Day 26
https://www.strava.com/activities/5109509555

Went out later than I wanted and got extra layers on as took the dog out before and got caught in a snow shower! It was cold enough but stayed dry.

triggermortis · 12-04-2021 5:33am

Day 27

part 1 https://www.strava.com/activities/5112101969

Rode to work on damp roads, but no rain. Cold enough, 0.9 on the Garmin at the airport.

part 2
https://www.strava.com/activities/5114013048
Missed a rain shower before I left work and caught a few minutes of one almost at home. Not too bad

triggermortis · 13-04-2021 1:58pm

Day 28
https://www.strava.com/activities/5119108466

Great to be able to go further than 5km!! Stopped for coffee and met a few of the lads, it was like times past. Great to ride along and chat for a while. Nice enough out, dry and bright.
Felt good so pushed on after, alone to do the fondo for the first time this year.
Got home starving....

triggermortis · 14-04-2021 4:22pm

Day 29 - commuting again

part 1 https://www.strava.com/activities/5123367643

part 2 https://www.strava.com/activities/5125858858

about 10 degrees difference in temp from the ride in to the ride home. Both rides were dry but the wind picked up a little on the way home to sap what little energy I had left. Definitely feeling it after yesterdays efforts

triggermortis · 15-04-2021 1:02pm

Day 30
https://www.strava.com/activities/5130622243

Met a few lads along the road, and a few more at the coffee stop - almost like old times!!

Quick tot up of distance so far:
1388.5km
+ 69.29km cycled with my son

triggermortis · 16-04-2021 1:28pm

Day 31
https://www.strava.com/activities/5136167620

Cool enough but bright and sunny. The wind picked up to make the second half harder

triggermortis · 17-04-2021 3:37pm

Day 32
https://www.strava.com/activities/5142620028

Warm enough for shorts and short sleeves - just - but THAT wind!! Never seemed to be behind me and almost made me go back home for more clothing.
Pushed on for 50km @26kmh

triggermortis · 18-04-2021 12:49pm

Day 33
https://www.strava.com/activities/5148138727

Damp day but not too cold. Damp enough for jacket and tights and the winter bike. Took a long while to get going even with a lot less wind than yesterday

triggermortis · 19-04-2021 11:45am

Day 34
https://www.strava.com/activities/5153642033

Cooler than I thought - after I left the house in shorts and short sleeves. Just as well I had a gilet on. Couldn't decide where to go and ended up on some roads I've not been on in ages, if ever, until I suddenly found a junction and knew where I was.
Warmed up a bit towards the end, but the wind picked up as well on the coast road.
Hit 72kmh down the hill into Naul!

triggermortis · 20-04-2021 12:45pm

Day 35
https://www.strava.com/activities/5159579583

Pushed for the first hour to see if I could get 30km done - managed it with about 13 seconds to spare! Dry enough for the good bike, but a few damp spots around means it needs a good clean now..

triggermortis · 21-04-2021 12:02pm

day 36
https://www.strava.com/activities/5165464144

Rode with a mate who's faster than me, especially on the hills and today hurt. Started off ok but then realised that working this hard without breakfast would end in tears. I was too busy getting the kids ready so I just grabbed a banana before heading out the door. Should have taken an extra one with me...
Still, it was dry and bright but the wind started to pick up towards the end to finally kill me off

triggermortis · 22-04-2021 5:56pm

Day 37
part 1 https://www.strava.com/activities/5170165461

part 2 https://www.strava.com/activities/5173116434

Commuting to and from work. Cold and foggy this morning but warmer on the way home. Dry.

triggermortis · 23-04-2021 1:25pm

Day 38

part 1 https://www.strava.com/activities/5175767201

part 2 https://www.strava.com/activities/5177279844

There was frost on the cars this morning! Phone said 6 degrees, but my Garmin told me it was less than 1. Much nicer on the way home - went a longer way to make sure I got my 40km for the day done.

triggermortis · 24-04-2021 9:16am

Day 39
https://www.strava.com/activities/5181447046

Didn't ride to work today as I hit snooze too many times, so came home for breakfast and hit the road. Cool but dry and sunny and saw a few out on the road

triggermortis · 25-04-2021 5:26pm

Day 40
https://www.strava.com/activities/5191550616

Took the day off as it's my daughters birthday so no commute.
Pushed for the first hour as felt good and managed to do 31.4km in that hour - even with a few horses and sunday drivers slowing me down. Got a few PR's and a couple of cups!!
Was wrecked after that so was more of a limp up Man o War afterwards. Looked warmer than it was and the wind was stronger than I'd have liked but was good to get out for a bit

triggermortis · 26-04-2021 1:04pm

Day 41
https://www.strava.com/activities/5195304774
Bright and sunny morning so went with shorts and short sleeves - just about warm enough at the start and was glad of it at the end.
Didn't see too many folk out

keane2097 · 27-04-2021 12:59pm

How are you enjoying the challenge?

I'm thinking about committing to something similar myself but maybe I'll do a certain distance in X weeks rather than every day just to have the option to recover sometimes.

triggermortis · 27-04-2021 5:17pm

Day 42
https://www.strava.com/activities/5202260093

Cooler than the past few days and couldn't get out earlier as things to do, but missed any rain in the end. Took the commuter bike just in case..

triggermortis · 27-04-2021 5:26pm

keane2097 wrote: »

How are you enjoying the challenge?

I'm thinking about committing to something similar myself but maybe I'll do a certain distance in X weeks rather than every day just to have the option to recover sometimes.

It was more a plan to stop herself nagging me so much for being out on the bike as the challenge was her idea initially, but walking!

I find the days I'm off work or on late shift better as I've realised how little I actually enjoy commuting compared to just riding my bike.
I set a target last year on Strava of 200km a week and didn't realise that it didn't cancel at the end of the year. My Jan and Feb were quite lean due to working extra shifts and the weather, so I needed to do something to get back on track and this has certainly done that. I can feel that I've got a bit stronger, but that may turn out to be just that - a feeling - once I get back on a few group spins and watch them sail into the distance....

triggermortis · 28-04-2021 3:13pm

Day 43
https://www.strava.com/activities/5207185682

Oh my god that wind!!! Hardly ever seemed to be behind me, and got a few pushes around, even though my wheels aren't that deep (35mm)
Got sprayed on the coast road from the sea - bracing to say the least!!

triggermortis · 29-04-2021 1:12pm

Day 44
https://www.strava.com/activities/5212425991

Lot cooler than it looked, but grand once moving. At least it stayed dry. 3 of us until the coffee stop and then a good few after that.
Got a few PR's at the start and end of the ride, and none in the middle...

triggermortis · 30-04-2021 11:15am

Day 45
https://www.strava.com/activities/5217077878

Really felt a rest day would be better today, but it's called a 60 day challenge so I got out and did it anyway. Dressed in 99% winter gear - should have worn better gloves and waterproof shoe covers. After 15km there was a hail shower, then some rain and then it dried a bit. 20 mins later was another hail shower. Once I got to the main road (R132) roads were dry and no sign of the misery I'd been through. Had planned a longer ride, but was cold and wet now so headed for home

triggermortis · 01-05-2021 12:30pm

Day 46
https://www.strava.com/activities/5222674649

Cool but dry day, sun shining but still needed arm warmers. Managed to take 30 seconds off my best time up Walshestown - dunno how I managed that but felt good after a slow start. Saw loads of people out, which is great to see

triggermortis · 02-05-2021 12:07pm

Day 47
https://www.strava.com/activities/5228977631

Dry and a bit warmer than yesterday. Saw loads of people out

triggermortis · 03-05-2021 10:57am

Day 48

part 1
https://www.strava.com/activities/5234231810

part 2 https://www.strava.com/activities/5234231888

Back to commuting.. Got up stupidly early and hit the road. Got a puncture after less than 4km - rear tyre. Stopped, changed the tube and heard air escaping from the new one, so limped home to get the car. In a break, I drove home, fixed the 2 tubes, put on a new tyre as the old one had a split in the sidewall. I then correctly fitted the tyre to get the rotation arrows going the right way, got dressed and rode back to work. It was now raining and windy (headwind of course) making this my least favourite ride so far. Let's see if the ride home later is as good!

part 3 https://www.strava.com/activities/5235815731

60 Day Challenge

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