Author Topic: July Cycling Challenge 2014  (Read 27079 times)

Hedge_87

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #100 on: July 25, 2014, 04:17:15 PM »
Well... I did it. I did two five mile loops around town this morning.  Took around 45 minutes. I think maybe I was pacing it to slow because I really didn't feel it was much of work out (my but hurts though). But I guess I'm not supposed to fall on the ground barely conscious like I do after my crossfire workouts. I do have a question about cadence. Do I count full revolutions of one foot? Or do I count like left right left right? Sorry noob.

CaliGator

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #101 on: July 25, 2014, 08:26:23 PM »
Well, first week of bike commuting is in the bag. Started off easy with 3 days this week (31 miles/1500' of climbing a day adds up quick). While a solid aerobic base definitely paid off, I'm really looking forward to commuting daily once I ramp up over the next couple of weeks.

It's been a very welcome change to look forward to my commute instead of dreading traffic, and I don't need to go for a run when I get home!

Sonorous Epithet

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #102 on: July 25, 2014, 08:58:09 PM »
Jordan,  gearing is generally based around cadence. Beginner bikers are something around 70 RPM and experienced bikers are closer to  90 or 100. Generally this is the most efficient way to have your muscles translate to moving. Gearing low does indeed feel like you are doing more work,  because you are. But pedaling more efficiently means you can build endurance and go faster,  father and longer. Which means more badass rides.

PindyStache

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #103 on: July 25, 2014, 09:35:54 PM »
Congrats CaliGator!

Hedge--cadence is counted by a full revolution of a single leg, i.e. count each time your left knee reaches the top of its cycle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PjoUXAgh30

13owie

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #104 on: July 25, 2014, 10:04:13 PM »
I felt the same way originally about pushing in a higher gear vs what felt like slacking.  But then the great Sheldon Brown's Pinache eagle swooped down on my handlebars, lowered my gear, pecked my damn wrist, and reminded me otherwise that it is not as efficient: http://sheldonbrown.com/gears.html.

I wanted to post that today marked the 1 year anniversary of me biking to work (+public transportation).  Some stats:

AVERAGE ROUND TRIP COST:   $6.72
TOTAL COST:   $772.52 (including bike purchase, parts, fares. carpooling the vast majority of balance)
MILES BIKED:   1770
CAR MILES SAVED:   9,177.0 (realize that moving would lower this nearly 100%..but a potential work from home scenario seems like a more nobel goal right now than moving 2 kids from their classes and family from home. Exercise in progress..)
CAR COSTS SAVED:   $2,753.10 (@ .30/mi est)

One more thought before I sign off - I suggest you check out that Jacob podcast from Tues. if have not already. Good night!

jordanread

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #105 on: July 28, 2014, 11:10:16 AM »
One more thought before I sign off - I suggest you check out that Jacob podcast from Tues. if have not already. Good night!

You have a link for it?


13owie

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #106 on: July 28, 2014, 11:13:30 AM »
One more thought before I sign off - I suggest you check out that Jacob podcast from Tues. if have not already. Good night!

You have a link for it?
http://radicalpersonalfinance.com/25/

Hedge_87

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #107 on: July 28, 2014, 08:02:55 PM »
Congrats CaliGator!

Hedge--cadence is counted by a full revolution of a single leg, i.e. count each time your left knee reaches the top of its cycle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PjoUXAgh30

Thanks. Those guys are pretty funny

usmarine1975

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #108 on: July 30, 2014, 12:45:30 PM »
Volunteered at the non-profit bike shop in my City yesterday.  Wow the things I will be able to learn.  They help kids that are old enough build their own bike from bikes that are donated.  They recycle everything on a bike.  I should go from a novice to an expert in no time.  That's good because I have a bike that I found I want to fix.  I may take it next time to see if it is fixable.  Looks like it was hit by a car.  I have another to donate and the one I am currently riding.  I live in the City and it's amazing how many bikes are dumped, damaged, stolen etc...  No worries I keep mine all inside and locked.  Going to try and ride tomorrow and Friday this week.  2 days.

PindyStache

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #109 on: July 30, 2014, 03:10:31 PM »
That's awesome USMarine! Inspiration for me, as I've been meaning to do something similar for quite some time now... kick in the butt needed.

Wolf_Stache

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #110 on: July 31, 2014, 01:26:02 PM »
Whoo, 100% of my commutes this month done by Bicycle!

PindyStache

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #111 on: July 31, 2014, 01:42:37 PM »
Congrats! same here, now that you say it... I think 600 miles is a personal record for me too, happy to have accomplished 20% above my own personal monthly goal!

ausername

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #112 on: July 31, 2014, 03:20:11 PM »
I managed to cycle about 50% of the time....70 miles in total & a huge improvement on last month when my bike died after a couple of days.  I have some vacation in August, but I'll be trying to get closer to 100% of commuting by bike.

Very impressed by some of the huge mileage racked up by those at the top of the spreadsheet! Great work!

Thegoblinchief

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #113 on: July 31, 2014, 03:51:10 PM »
I think my two older goblins racked up 100 miles on their own. Maybe I should track that next month :P

SisterX

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #114 on: July 31, 2014, 05:21:15 PM »
100% bike commute is nothing new for me.  Sounds like a brag, but really it's just because I live only a mile from work so it would be beyond stupid to drive.  (Although, I know a few people who do....)  What I'm please by is that I made it almost 75 miles this month, despite being on vacation for nearly 2 weeks and taking a couple of sick days.  Woo!  Might add in a short bike ride this evening to get myself over 75 miles.  :)

Hedge_87

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #115 on: July 31, 2014, 05:23:33 PM »
So I failed my goal of <100 miles on the month. (I know not a big feat for some of you but I've just started 1.5 months ago). I'm going to try again in august even though it will be a short month for me due to leaving for a weeks vacation tomorrow right after work :). I did however get 100% on the commute this month too.

usmarine1975

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #116 on: August 01, 2014, 06:27:33 AM »
I reached my goal of commuting to my office once a week for the last 2 weeks.  My goal for next month is going to be to double that.  2 days a week here I come.  And hopefully add some rides other then to and from work.  I am also planning to at least volunteer at the local non profit bike shop twice a week to learn how to fix, repair, and even set up my bike.  My goal next month is to take 2 of the junkers I now have and get a 2nd bike in working running order so that I have a spare in case one goes down.  I would also like to get my little brother with the big brother big sister program a bike so that he and I can do some bike riding as well.  My wife is due in September so she won't be on a bike any time soon.  Maybe after for a bit. 

I used run keeper today to track my ride and I ride a mile in just over 5 minutes.  I kept an average pace of 10.77 mph.  I have some hills on my commute so I might be able to lower the minutes over time and increase my speed.  I am currently riding a Huffy Mtn Bike.  In time I might need to change that up as well. 

What does everyone ride maybe that can be a question for the next month.

winstonsmith

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #117 on: August 01, 2014, 10:03:10 AM »
That was fun...I want to go 100% commute by bike in August!  Rode to work today, so I am happily on track (so far).

Good work to everyone in July.  Keep it up.  Maybe we could break 10k for August.

When is the new spreadsheet going up?

-winston

Edit:  I think it would be neat to see pictures of everyone's main commuter next month.  A little commute inspiration.
« Last Edit: August 01, 2014, 10:05:20 AM by winstonsmith »

PindyStache

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #118 on: August 01, 2014, 03:56:41 PM »
I am currently riding a Huffy Mtn Bike.  In time I might need to change that up as well. 

What does everyone ride maybe that can be a question for the next month.

This was our question last November. I'm all for repeating, as we have quite a slew of new folks on now and folks may have switched their ride, but the old responses are still up:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Am6vo25oYklGdHFib3NxX21ZcFJCQ1NiVmZTc0NudGc&usp=sharing#gid=1

Thegoblinchief

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #119 on: August 01, 2014, 05:07:02 PM »
Quote
Edit:  I think it would be neat to see pictures of everyone's main commuter next month.  A little commute inspiration.

Again, it's a bit old, but there was a "bike porn" thread going for a while.

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/bike-porn!-post-your-bike-here!/

Thegoblinchief

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #120 on: August 02, 2014, 05:08:38 PM »
August challenge?

usmarine1975

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #121 on: August 02, 2014, 08:16:30 PM »
I believe he didn't get it posted before vacation

jordanread

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #122 on: August 04, 2014, 11:37:56 AM »
Sorry all, I ran into an issue with getting some of the new functionality working correctly (pretty much the sorting on the main page), and wound up spending a day last week on some really cool per-user historical reporting. I'll have the August Challenge up in a few hours.

Nancy

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #123 on: August 04, 2014, 02:14:35 PM »
Jordanread, why are you so awesome? Thanks for doing the sheet each month! You rock!

Thegoblinchief

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #124 on: August 04, 2014, 02:23:10 PM »
Jordanread, why are you so awesome? Thanks for doing the sheet each month! You rock!

+1

jordanread

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Re: July Cycling Challenge 2014
« Reply #125 on: August 04, 2014, 03:11:14 PM »
Jordanread, why are you so awesome? Thanks for doing the sheet each month! You rock!

I guess I was just born that way. :-D

New challenge is up!
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/august-cycling-challenge-2014/

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!