A sedate sport: road biking...5,000 miles

[balzaccom]

I began this year with a goal: to ride my bicycle at least 5,000 miles over the course of the year. This was quite a challenge, given the number of miles I traveled on airplanes (135,000+ through today) and the fact that I was not only running my own business, but also teaching two classes at the local college.

But success is mine! This week I rode a number of days when the temps dropped down into the high 30's and watched with glee/relief as the odometer on the bike rolled over 5,000 miles for the year...and it's now over 62,000 miles since I bought my Bianchi Giro about thirteen years ago.

Now if the weather would just warm up, I'd love to get on the bike and go for a ride...

[oldranger]

I'm impressed but Paul buck up! Saw person on fat tire bike riding through this stuff yesterday with temp below 30!

Looking down my street

Mike

[maverick]

I bought my Bianchi Giro about thirteen years ago.

Have the same bike, but purchased 11 years ago.

[balzaccom]

I am way too much of a wimp. I hate riding in cold weather---don't really mind the heat though. I'd prefer 100 to 35 degrees any day!

[oldranger]

Riding in 100 degree weather isn't wimpish! Doesn't seem particularly bright though! How can you keep hydrated? I have visions of you pulling a trailer with a 50 gallon drum with a tube running up to you on the bike.

Mike

[cmon4day]

WOW!! 5K miles. That is a great accomplishment. I ride a lot, both mtb and road. Maybe on average 2x /week and I have only ridden 2,300 miles. So I can appreciate the amount of time you put in the saddle to achieve your goal.

[fishmonger]

very cool to see others ride a lot. I'm approaching one lap around the equator in summer since starting to track my distance. I count in kilometers, though, since that looks even better Last year 10,600 kilometers, 90% of that commuting, any temp, any weather. Still have the winter tires on the bike today, and it just snowed again (with a 55 degree forecast for the day - what's up with that?)

I started bike commuting about 4 years ago and now I wouldn't want to live close to work any longer. 2 hours on the bike each day has become a part of my life. Beats 90 minutes in the car and no exercise for the same commute.

I prefer -20 F windchill and dry sunny over 95F and humid, but at some time during the year I get to deal with both ends of the spectrum. More important differences are found near the 32F mark - give me a 30F day with snow any day over a 34F day with rain.