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 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 4

Day 4: Gettin' Some Miles In

Beautiful afternoon in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia and a great day for riding at Cochran Mills! I wanted to get some miles in, and after riding a little more than 6 miles for the last 3 days, I was able to get in 13.5 miles in, woohoo! I hit the red trails first which are a bit more technical than the yellow trails which I did last.

I had a close encounter with a native of the area, a raccoon that wanted to use the same trail I was using. He stopped and looked at me for a minute, but then he thought climbing a tree would be better than looking at me...go figure! 

On the way back I ran into an acquaintance from my Stinky Trail days, Kurt, who placed 5th in a race at Tsali this past weekend. Haven't seen him in over a year and it was good to catch up with him. He was riding on the trails with his 2 sons...the next set of racers I can only imagine!

Total Miles Today: 13.5
Total April Miles.: 32.9

Friend on the Trails

Entrance to Cochran Mills Park

30 Days of Biking: Day 3

Day 3: Riding with a Newb

Yes, you read it right, it was my honor to be riding with a father and son. The father is a good friend of mine, been riding with Rob for several years. This was his sons first time mountain biking...well really the 2nd time, but its been a while. He did really good. Cochran Mill Park is a great place to take a newb, the yellow trail is smooth and flowy with minimum technicality. Bobby even earned his right of passage as a mountain biker when he took a little spill and drew a little blood! Yes, both me and Rob were proud! 

Total Miles Today: 6.6
Total April Miles.: 19.4

Father and Son

First Blood for Bobby