When one door closes… go find another freaking door! Who wants to climb through an open window? I have been hinting at this for over a year. That time has finally come.  Yesterday was my last bike ride… for about a month. You might say, though Robert Zimmerman aka Bob Dylan said it first, “The times, they are a-changin’.”

The details of why I’ve had to pause are not important, but let’s examine the history:

I began daily cycling back in October of 2019. I was doing over 5,200 miles average per year since 2016. But often it was in longer training rides for charity. Sometimes those rides would range from 20 to 40 or 60 and once 90 miles. Then I realized I could ride less everyday and still meet my goal.

So, I did that. A week went by, and then a month, and then a season, and then a year. If you know anything about A Dude Abikes, you know that once he sets his mind to something he usually does it. (Yes, he’s also aware that talking about oneself in the third person is frowned upon, but sometimes it just works better. I’m no megalomaniacal billionaire narcissist, after all.)

Regardless of whether the weather was raining, ice, snow, thunderstorm, or there was a heat index of 112°, I rode. Even if it was just for a mile. For those purists and perfectionists out there:  1. I counted miles on an indoor trainer, 2. A number of times (6? 10?) I didn’t push start on the Garmin twice before midnight, and 3. For the afore mentioned sticklers, you probably are lost if you are here and should be reading other blogs. I’ll never be in the Guinness Book of World Records. Well, at least not for my streak of daily bike riding.

Breaking this down further we see that I pedaled my fathlete’s butt for:

• 6 years, 8 months, 2 weeks, and 4 days
• 80 months, 2 weeks, and 4 days
• 350 weeks and 3 days
• 2,453 days

That’s what we call in the business “not too shabby.” Actually, it is to some, an amazing feat of whixh I shoukd be proud. Peide minth just ended and “Pride goeth before the fall,” aftwr all, y-all.

Here are more thoughts in Q & A format:

1. How did I do it? One day, one ride (or more), and one pedal stroke at a time. That one level, it was very simple. Like the quote from Star Wars that Yoda said to Luke Skywalker while training: ‘Do or do not. There is no try.” It is quite harsh in some applications. To wit, “Hey, why don’t you just go score a goal in the World Cup.” In other words, Nike’s rather capitalist slogan:  “Just Do It.” I’m a mere morta, so sometimes trying means failing. I digress. I “just did it” for all that time. But now I’m unable to for a while.

2. Why did I do it? Because it was there. And I wanted to prove to myself that I could challenge myself and succeed. Probably some ego was involved, because of my use of Strava the fitness tracking app. Also thought I might meet Ms. A Dude Abikes, but I never did. 😦

3. Did I ever feel like quitting when I was injured, exhausted, sore, sick, or too busy? Yes, sure, of course, quite often initially. But, I didn’t quit (even if I probably should have many tines).

4. How have I benefited from it? Let me count the ways:  health, mental health, socializing, transportation, fun, friends, community, fundraising for good causes, and the list goes on and on.

5. What are some of the down sides to having a daily streak? There were things I had to give up or reduce: sleep, tv, visiting with people, time since getting prices is slower than in a bus or car, money for bikes and repairs, etc.

6. Will I start a new streak when I’m able to ride a bicycle? Hopefully not. I should hope that I seek out more balance such as weightlifting and swimming.

7. Do I recommend you start your own daily streak of bicycling or other exercise? NO!!! Absolutely not! Kids, do not try this at home. Strive for regular and doable with built-in rest days.

I may come back to this post later. I hope it was useful, interesting, entertaining, or something.

---