30 Days of Biking: Day 30 - The FINAL Day

Day 30: The Final Day of the Challenge

It is finally here, the last day of the 30 Days of Biking Challenge. I was getting a little worried that I wasn't going to be able to finish the challenge on my home trail system...Cochran Mill. Storms were developing all around the area, and the powers that be will close the trails if they are wet...which is a good idea. Fortunately I was working and watching where these storms were moving. For those that don't know, I work as a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Peachtree City. There was a storm that went right along Cochran Mill Road but it looked like it stayed away from the yellow trail. So I drove out there with this in mind and I was right. The parking lot was a little damp, but once I got past the creek on the gravel road on the yellow trail, everything was dry.

Today was suppose to be a chill ride, but I ended up averaging 8.9 mph, just a little under yesterdays ride, however my legs were feeling it! I took a little rest at the falls before heading back to the truck, and as I was leaving, it started raining...timed perfectly!

Two years ago I did the 30 Days of Biking challenge and rode over 250 miles. This year I didn't reach quite 250 miles, but I did top 200 miles, reaching just a little over 203 miles this month. This year my goal was to ride no less than 5 miles a day. Well, that didn't happen...life happens, work happens, however I rode every day this month which fulfilled the challenge. And knowing that at least one family in Africa is benefitting from my pledge makes it all worth it...and that makes me feel good that I was doing this for a good cause!

This challenge really helped me as well. My riding technique improved, my speed improved, and all this is going to help me on the race I am doing with John in July. Will I do this next year? Probably...well, actually yes. I enjoy riding for a cause, and this was the 3rd time I have ridden for a cause. Its cool because its something I enjoy and it benefits someone else!

I was asked by a friend at work if I was going to keep this up, that is riding each day...uh...I think I'm going to rest the next couple of days. However I plan to not let up too much, at least 2 to 3 times a week.

So here are the final totals for this challenge...

Total Miles Today:    8.0
Total Challenge Miles: 203.2

30 Days of Biking: Day 29

Day 29: Cochran with a couple of Cool Dudes

My plan was to ride a chill ride, and about 6 to 8 miles. However things changed when a couple of good friends, some real cool dudes showed up...Bill and Dave. So my 6 to 8 mile chill ride turned into a little more than 13 miles and with the fastest average speed I have ever ridden on off-road. My average speed was 9.6 mph! Riding with these guys pushes me and that is what I needed. It showed me what I am capable of and how far I've come over the past 29 days. Why is this important? Because another real cool dude and a good friend, John asked me to team up with him for the Race to Sunset race at Blankets Creek in July, and this ride showed me that I can compete. Anyway, a big thanks to Bill and Dave for joining me today!

So, tomorrow is Day 30, the last day of this challenge. My plan is to ride a chill ride tomorrow at Cochran and get enough miles that will push me over 200 miles for the month. The "fly in the ointment" for riding at Cochran tomorrow is that rain is threatening the trails, and if it rains on the trails, they close the trails. If this happens, my alternate plan is to ride the Peachtree City cart paths, but whereever I ride, my goal is to get my monthly mileage to 200 miles.

Here are todays stats...

Total Miles Today:  13.6
Total April Miles.: 195.2

30 Days of Biking: Day 28

Day 28: An Evening to Mt. Carmel

This evening was probably one of the only evenings on this challenge where I needed a light. Got a late start, but it was nice riding on the roads around my house. Demon dog was out but didn’t chase me, saw the tops of some thunderstorms in the distance, really a nice ride. And to not disappoint a couple of my friends at work, Jason and Brian, I didn’t do a “Mailbox Run.” This time I went to Mt. Carmel and back…well at least Mt. Carmel Road. Racked up 2.3 miles this evening! 

Total Miles Today:   2.3
Total April Miles.: 181.6

30 Days of Biking: Day 27 "Mailbox Run"W

Day 27: Mailbox Run

Another short day after a good ride yesterday, a good ride/break day from yesterday, although I'm not really feeling all that sore from yesterday. I guess after riding everyday for 27 days, the body is slowly getting used to it. Yes, it was a "Mailbox Run."

Here are today's stats...

Total Miles Today:     0.3
Total April Miles.: 179.3

30 Days of Biking: Day 26

Day 26: Wildlife at Cochran Mill

I've been looking forward to this ride. After a week of stationary bike and road riding, I was finally able to get back on the dirt trails at Cochran Mill Park. It was a beautiful late afternoon, everything has leafed out and greened up. It was beautiful (check out the pics). I also saw more wildlife on this ride than I've ever seen at Cochran Mill. There were 3 deer on the Yellow Loop, and right before finishing the Yellow Loop, a black rat snake took his time crossing the trail. He just sat there looking at me, then just took his sweet rat snake time crossing the trail. Hey, it gave me a little break, but it was an awesome ride!

Here are today's stats...

Total Miles Today:   14.1
Total April Miles.: 179.0

30 Days of Biking: Day 25

Day 25 - To Mt. Carmel and Back

Today I was planning on going to Cochran Mill Park for a 15+ mile ride, but as life out in the country took over, my time for riding got more limited and more limited. After moving furniture into my mom's apartment, I did some mowing around the berry patch, weed eating around the house and pond, then vacuumed and shocked the pool...then I finally did my ride. However it was a short ride, from my house to Mt. Carmel road and back.

Here are today's stats...

Total Miles Today:  1.8
Total April Miles.: 164.9

30 Days of Biking: Day 24

Day 24 - Mailbox Run

Hopefully the last of its kind as well...the ole "mail box run." Let me go back to yesterday. After my ride Saturday morning, my wife took me to my birthday surprise. I had no idea until we got closer to it. It was only 20 minutes away and I've heard about the place for a long time, just never went there. She took me to Banning Mill just outside of Whitesburg, GA. This place is known for its ziplining, but there is so much more to do there. Of course, she and I went zip lining. We did level 2 which included about 11 lines total along with a canopy walk on boards and wires. If you want to see more, reply to this post. Anyway, after about 2 hours of zipping and walking the tight rope, we checked into our treehouse, the place where we were staying the night. Pretty awesome! After checking in, we went for a hike along Snake Creek, had a great dinner that evening and then fell into bed. We were extremely tired.

Then this morning after a great breakfast at the lodge, we came home, only to quickly change and head up to Turner Field for the Braves game, which was followed by a concert by Toby Mac. We were able to get down on the field and within 10 feet of the stage. He put on an amazing concert! By the time we got home, I had totally forgotten to ride. At 930 PM she said get out there and ride to the end of the driveway. She is awesome for pushing me (and I really mean that, she knows how important this is to me). So I went a bit further and did the "mail box run" in the dark.

Here are today's stats...

Total Miles Today:  0.6

Total April Miles.: 163.1 (yesterday's Total April Miles was wrong)