British magazine Cycling Weekly published a list of 26 things to do on your bike before you die. Some of these activities are British-specific, many are aimed at road bikers, a few are pure nonsense. I'm sure everyone can come up with a list of things one wants to do on a bike before death. And in fact, if you are into bicycles and cycling, you should have such a list. Well, here is mine (no particular order):
1. Ride a 100mi in a day
Ok, I'm a metric guy so normally I would go with 100km but it isn't a distance that is THAT challenging. A hundred miles (or 160km) on the other hand, is. Or can be - depending on your skill level. For an average, fairly athletic person, riding 100mi will take a full day and it's a great opportunity not only to learn more about your body and its limits, know your bike better, but also to see more. Pick a day with nice summer weather (but not too hot and sunny), plan a route that would take you through some quiet roads, new places you haven't yet visited and enjoy it.
My status: done
2. Ride a long distance trail
This is something good to try together with the next challenge below. Exploring a long, isolated trail should be fun. You're on your own, you have a clear goal in mind, you're in the area never visited before. And there are many miles of it ahead.
My status: open
3. Go cycle touring
I always wanted to try it. Just pack a tent, sleeping bag, some clothes, etc. and go for a week long bike tour. Explore new areas, meet new people, camp out in nature. Riding longer distance is not new to me, neither is camping. Now it's time to put it together.
My status: open
4. Ride with your kids
So you spent many bachelor years racing and bike touring all over the world. But now you are a family guy and you have two busy bees to look after. What do you do? Include them, of course! Get a trailer or a child seat. Put your kids on your bike, then when they grow up, on their own bikes. Teach them how to ride a bike and tell them about the traffic rules. Show them world from the saddle and they will like it more than sitting inside a car. Noticed something interesting? You can stop your bike anytime and explore.
My status: done
5. Get a friend into cycling
Cycling Weekly's list calls for getting 50 people into cycling in your lifetime but I would say one is good enough. Pick a good friend of yours and get him/her into cycling. Your kids don't count. Your non-cycling wife might do.
My status: in progress
6. Ride on another continent
I've done it but I don't think it should count. I used to live in Europe and biked there (in Poland, Germany, Austria and Denmark to be exact). Then I moved to U.S. and biked here. But I think to truly claim this one I should try again. How about a cycling tour across New Zealand? I'm in!
My status: done (but must be repeated)
7. Restore an old bike
Hmm, it depends on how I look at this. If restoring a vintage bike means returning it as close to its original condition as possible, paying close attention to using era-correct components and fabrication methods, I haven't tried it and I may never have a chance to do it. But if we just talk about taking an old bike and bringing it back to a useable condition, then I have done it a few times. Nevertheless, this challenge is just a good excuse to getting your hands dirty. Which is always a good thing.
My status: done?
8. Build a bike
If you bought your trusty Trek at a local bike store and you're happy with it - that's fine. But it doesn't mean you should stop there. Think what your current bike is not and should be. Think about your perfect bike (within the budget, of course) and then try to build one. Unlike owning a car, building your own bicycle is much simpler, cheaper and all components are readily available. You will end up with your own, customized machine, not to mention that the build process itself can be a lot of fun too. A word of warning though - if you haven't try it yet, start small and slow. Learn how to service your current bike an replace its components first. Putting a whole new bike together will come next.
My status: done (multiple times)
9. Ride on snow and at 0 deg F weather
Most people who use bikes for recreation call those warmer months of the year a "bike season". For most of dedicated cyclists, there is no such thing as the bike season because we know that bikes can be ridden year round. But even those who decide to ride their bikes through winter, sometimes decide it's officially too cold for a bike ride, when air temperature drops into negative American degrees. Well, it can be done but it may take you a while to figure out how to dress properly. Choose a shorter distance, wear something to block the windchill, cover your face, nose and ears. Wear goggles and balaclava if necessary. Use good gloves and warm shoes. You may find it challenging and you will notice car drivers looking at you in awe. Snow and 0 degrees? Challenge accepted!
My status: done
My status: done
10. Ride a fatbike
Because Cycling Weekly list focused too much on road cycling, I decided to fix it. Hence, riding a fatbike shows up on my list. I had a chance to do it recently and I have to say I couldn't get rid of the smile on my face for the rest of the week. They may look goofy, they may look heavy but once you try it, you will wonder why nobody invented such a thing earlier? Fatbikes are fun!
My status: done (but needs to be repeated!)
11. Ride to work for a full year
You may live too far from your office to try it on daily basis but if you don't, or if you can use light rail to cover some of the distance, you definitely should try bike commuting to work for at least one full year in your life. It's not only about the exercise but it does make you stronger, healthier and more aware of the surroundings. You will see the seasons change. You will notice the first flowers in the spring, experience (and survive) heavy summer thunderstorms, see leaves changing colors and learn how to dress for a ride at 5 deg F weather.
My status: done and still going
12. Ride in the dark
Riding in complete darkness isn't really my type of entertainment. During those dark, winter months I try to avoid pitch black bike paths and switch to riding along main roads that at least have some street lights. But riding in darkness can be interesting, at least in some places. Trails do look different when you can only rely on the headlight on your bike. Your eyes may not be enough to navigate. Time to open your senses and listen. What's lurking behind those bushes?
My status: done in urban setting but I need to try it again in deep forest
Obligatory picture. Unrelated to content.
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