30 Days of Biking: how I fared

Standfirst and dotted line

As the 30 Days of Biking challenge comes to an end, I reflect on a full month in the saddle

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So April has come to an end, and with it the 30 Days of Biking challenge. And how did I do?

Well, if I’m honest, I failed. I knew I would within a few days of registering for the challenge. I was invited on a press trip to Coto Donana in Spain’s Andalucia region. There was no way I was going to explain to my editor that I couldn’t go because I had to cycle every day in April. So that was four days out of the 30 that I couldn’t get on my bike. I did cycle every other day, though. And I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My aim is to always improve on past records and goals, so I’m going to have to really up my game for May – I can’t wait!

Usually I take a couple of days off the bike every week. Most often these are Wednesdays and Saturdays. I use these days as cross training, so on the former I walk at least 10,000 steps and on the latter I do toning exercises. Not wanting to overdo things, I dropped the cross training for the duration of the challenge; I also did much shorter rides on those two days.

My main concern for the challenge was whether my legs would be up to it. Up to the 16th (which is when I went to Spain), they were fine; more than fine, in fact, they were strong. But on getting back on the bike after my trip I could definitely feel it in my legs. On one day I even cut down my commutes and avoided my hilly routes. I felt better for it and the next day was back to my hilly 10-mile rides.

I am quite disappointed that I didn’t get to complete the challenge. It would have been a different matter if I hadn’t been able to – I would have known I’d given it my best shot. But I simply didn’t have access to a bike. I’m pretty sure I could have completed it, but I don’t know that I could. And that bugs me.

Me on completing my first ride right at the beginning of the challenge.

I really enjoyed taking part in the challenge and I'm definitely going to do it again next year. I’m very pleased with the extra kilometres it’s given me. According to Strava, I’ve cycled 634km this month, which is my highest monthly record ever. My aim is to always improve on past records and goals, so I’m going to have to really up my game for May. This will mean more cycling and extra miles. I can’t wait!

30 days of biking challenge

I’ve pledged to cycle every day in April – have you?

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Always on the lookout for new and exciting challenges to do on my bike, I recently pledged to do 30 days of biking. It’s simple enough, you just ride your bike every day in April. It doesn’t matter how far or where to, as long as you do it, and then share your biking adventures online. The challenge started back in 2010 and now thousands of people worldwide take part.

It’s simple enough, you just ride your bike every day in April

I found the challenge on Twitter (where else?) and thought it sounded fun. I usually have a couple of days off the bike every week so riding every day will be interesting. Will my legs take it? You can follow the fun on the event Twitter account @30daysofbiking or using the hashtag #30daysofbiking on both Twitter and Instagram.

Unfortunately (or not), mere minutes after pledging I was told I was going to Spain for four days for work (I know, it’s a hard life). Which means I can’t actually complete the pledge in April. I will add an extra four days on the end to make up, but I don’t really think that’s the spirit of things. I am slightly disappointed, but explaining to my editor that I can’t go to Spain because I want to ride my bike every day wasn’t going to happen. I will cycle every other day in April. And I will share my adventures as I go.

Today was the first day of the challenge and I cycled to work, as I usually do. This morning’s ride was 9.9 miles taking in Walthamstow Marshes, Springfield Park and Finsbury Park.

A happy me arrives at work on the first day of the 30 days of biking challenge.