The Metric Century (100KM) A Month Challenge ChatZone

[cyberknight]

That was not the most enjoyable ride I've dome. The first 50k was very cold and wet. I arrived at Lingfield with a full on glove emergency. There was no way I could keep going with freezing, saturated hands. Fortunately a glove change over for 100% waterproof rubbery work gloves was OK. It's had for me to get gloves onto the hideous claws I have for hands. The second half of the ride was flatter, a degree or so warmer, but still wet.

But it's done. I'm not in great shape at the moment. My speed over regular routes is way down. I was thinking, when I reached 80km how, not so long ago, I'd stop for a celebratory half-way (50 mile) snack, feeling good. Today I was thinking "nearly there, if I can just hang on for 20k.

well done
Like you my fitness is way down this year due to the weather and lack of time to get rides in when i have been doing 6 day week since last october .As of this week i have cut back the extra hours as im constantly tired , no get stuff done around the house and most importantly not riding.
I didnt do the club ride today as the weather as you say was dire and i was on lates so bedtime was around 1.30 am so i have a route planned for tomorrow .

 

[cyberknight]

Bah !
I know its a challange but winter is hard to motivate myself to go out when its cold and damp , had a route all planned and a ride buddy but my body doesnt like these conditions .
I could drag myself around and suffer but why do that ? arthritis in hands aching and had an ache in my side all week so nope i am not going to hurt just for fun .

 

[Dogtrousers]

I sympathise, @cyberknight I just went through the footage from my Cycliq camera to pick out some nice representative pictures from the ride. This was the best I could manage. Pretty much everything looked like this.

 

[Ajax Bay]

I feel your pain @cyberknight (though obv not literally).
My previous extreme cold weather injuries (especially toes) means I'm no longer prepared for a month's reminders after getting my feet properly cold. So I seized the only day in the first half of February to ride (7 days ago) where the noon temperature was in double figures (just). It meant riding out putting up with the forecast (and actual) drizzle and fresh SW (head) wind for the second half of the ride, but wet I can manage: cold to be avoided.
It's still 'quite' early in February and the second half of the month will be warmer (and clearer) than the first.

 

[cyberknight]

I feel your pain @cyberknight (though obv not literally).
My previous extreme cold weather injuries (especially toes) means I'm no longer prepared for a month's reminders after getting my feet properly cold. So I seized the only day in the first half of February to ride (7 days ago) where the noon temperature was in double figures (just). It meant riding out putting up with the forecast (and actual) drizzle and fresh SW (head) wind for the second half of the ride, but wet I can manage: cold to be avoided.
It's still 'quite' early in February and the second half of the month will be warmer (and clearer) than the first.

thats another reason i have cut back on weekend work , money is great but i was down to 2 chances a month to ride .

 

[ColinJ]

Bah !
I know its a challange but winter is hard to motivate myself to go out when its cold and damp , had a route all planned and a ride buddy but my body doesnt like these conditions .
I could drag myself around and suffer but why do that ? arthritis in hands aching and had an ache in my side all week so nope i am not going to hurt just for fun .

I agree!

I was planning to do a 50 km ride today taking in the Cragg Vale climb but it would be horrible and probably dangerous up on the moor in the mist/fog. I decided to give it a miss. I will drag myself out shortly and just do a short ride up and down the valley before sunset.

I did risk that route once in bad weather with a pal, but never again...

Yes, it can get very foggy up there and there have been fatalities at the junction of the A58 with the B6138.

I went up the Cragg Vale climb with a mate once and we entered a fog bank up by Blackstone Edge reservoir. I turned to warn him about the dangers of the junction in fog ...

"Watch out at the junction because there have been lots of ..."

SCRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH, BANG, BANG ... SILENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"... accidents in fog!"

A 3-car pile-up at the junction! We stopped to check that all the drivers were ok. They were so we left them phoning for breakdown trucks and went on our way.

 

[cyberknight]

I agree!

I was planning to do a 50 km ride today taking in the Cragg Vale climb but it would be horrible and probably dangerous up on the moor in the mist/fog. I decided to give it a miss. I will drag myself out shortly and just do a short ride up and down the valley before sunset.

I did risk that route once in bad weather with a pal, but never again...

i spent maybe an hour in the garden widening the gate where the wing mirror is as the new car is slightly wider along with padding it just in case , took about another hour to get feeling back in my toes .

 

[ukbabz]

An added challenge this month with my wife now being 38 weeks pregnant and being 'on call', so agreed a ride where I'd stay roughly 30mins away maximum. The cold conditions meant by the end of the ride my feet were blocks of ice (despite winter shoes - joys of poor circulation however it was great to get out for a few hours. Depending on when #2 turns up I may still be in the challenge...

 

[cyberknight]

Tomorrow's not looking promising

 

[cyberknight]

looks like i will have to bow out this year
went on the final club ride before it disbanded with the intention of getting it done but after finishing work on lates and maybe 4 hours kip i feel shattered and had to drag myself around a mere 35 miles this morning ,

 

[Ajax Bay]

Next weekend out?

 

[13 rider]

Next weekend out?

That will be March

 

[cyberknight]

Next weekend out?

next weekend is into march, tomorrow is a bust as the forecast is 50 mph gusts .

 

[Sea of vapours]

What you need, @cyberknight , is: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/2025-annual-lunacy-distance-challenge.300742/ And to adopt at least a 100km target.

The solution to all those pesky monthly challenge issues :-)

 

[cyberknight]

What you need, @cyberknight , is: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/2025-annual-lunacy-distance-challenge.300742/ And to adopt at least a 100km target.

The solution to all those pesky monthly challenge issues :-)

normally ok but with working 6 days a week lately .................