Today’s ride will wrap up 30 days of biking. I did it, I rode every single day! Rain, snow(!?), and sunshine. Some days I biked in shorts and a t-shirt, there were others I wore two pairs of pants, my winter jacket, gloves and a hat. I rode a total of 175 miles, not including today’s ride obviously.It was an interesting month for sure, and not just because of the weather. In the middle of the month there was actually a bit of a mishap. Long story short, while riding with three of my friends we were attacked and I was ripped off my bike by some “tough guy” trying to steal my backpack. I actually wrote a long blog post about it that is still sitting in my drafts because it was just too raw, too full of emotion. It was traumatic and I’m still not positive I want to talk about it. All that matters now is that we’re all okay, they weren’t able to steal anything from us, and that I didn’t let it stop me from getting back on my bike. The next few days were tough, I didn’t want to ride. But for some darn reason my commitment to 30 days of biking was too strong to break. I was back in the saddle the next morning, and have been every day since. Booyah! You can’t steal my backpack or my fun, ya turd.
On a lighter note, it felt SO good to ride everyday. I don’t know that my body actually looks any different but I certainly feel like it does. I feel so strong. If there’s one part of my body I’ve struggled with it’s been my thighs. I’ve always hated the way they look when I’m sitting, how they flatten out and look a billion times bigger. Sitting in shorts I’d always be on my tip toes so my thigh wouldn’t be completely flat. But you guys, my thighs are sexy. I don’t care how big they are now. They’re strong. They’re made of muscle. I’m proud of them.
30 consecutive days of biking was a bit stressful for me just because I was watching the weather like a hawk and that’s something I never do. There were days I’d see it was going to rain in the evening so I’d rush out in the morning when I didn’t really want to ride and do a few obligatory miles only for it not to end up raining later in the day. I feel like I may have possibly gotten more miles in this month if I hadn’t been worrying about squeezing in a bike ride at a certain time and just went with the flow, if that makes sense.
30 days of biking, I love/hate you. You kept me on my bike when I didn’t want to do be, which in this case was the best thing for me. I’m glad April is over but I’m already looking forward to doing it again next year!
xoxo
43 comments
Glad to hear you're OK and that you didn't let it stop you from riding!
Nothing can stop me! *evil laughter*
…except maybe broken bones but lets hope that never happens! 😛
I love how special your bike is to you, and I love reading you talk about it 🙂 The attacking incident sounds so scary-so glad you're all okay!
Hehe, thanks Mindi! Sometimes I feel a little crazy always raving about it, but I guess I am a little crazy.
🙂
I love everything about this. "My thighs are sexy!" …you tell 'em, girl! Lolol. Cheers to many more miles this year, and cheers to that gorgeous gold bar tape, too! Xx
Hahaha! Well, shoot, they are!
I'm so sorry that happened to you! I admire the fact that you didn't let it stop you.
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So awesome!! And getting attacked on your bike?!?!? Terrifying!! I like that you call him a turd though. HA! Good on yah for getting back out there. Fear is a dangerous thing.
Just calling them like I see them! 😛
Sorry that happened, but that's really good you made yourself keep biking so soon after the fact. You should be proud of that!
I certainly am! 🙂
So good! I'll think that I will make something like that 😀 And train my little puppy to ride by my side 😀
Hehe! There's actually a guy who rides Critical Mass every month with his two dogs in baskets on the side of his bike. It is THE cutest!
Wow I'm incredibly impressed. Both by your determination to complete the challenge, and dealing with a horrible experience and keeping it going. I'm so sorry that happened to you – even with friends – that's just incredibly shocking. I'm glad that you still have your bike because it clearly means so much to you. And congratulations on rocking the challenge. I think you are really inspiring.
That's what really gets me, I was with three men! I rode by myself all the time without fear, so I absolutely relaxed riding with three dudes who I know would protect me. Guess they figured if they out numbered us that's all that mattered. Ughhh.
Thank you! <3
omg that is so scary being ripped off your bike. Glad your okay.
Congrats on completing 30 days!! That is so excited
Thanks, Angela! 🙂
Can I just say that the comment about being proud of your strong thighs made my freaking day? STRONG is so much better than skinny. GO YOU!!
It definitely took a long time to feel that way but I'm finally realizing that I don't want to be skinnier, I want to be stronger.
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I'm glad you went back on the bike after that horrible event! Your commitment is amazing <3
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that might sound a little weird as we don't really know each other but i am SO proud of you! not just that you went through with the challenge but especially because you didn't let that jerk ruin your streak (so glad nothing bad happened!)… you go, girl!
That's not weird at all, it means a lot. Thank you! 🙂
I am so amazed and proud at how far you have come! A scary experience like that could have derailed anyone I am inspired by you strength and commitment. Stay Awesome!
Thank you, Deirdre! 🙂
I'm sorry that happened to you but I'm glad that it didn't stop you from getting on your bike again the next morning. Even if it happened when you were with friends and you bike alone a lot too.
That's the spirit, Kaylah, don't let the fear get you!
And hooray for biking everyday for one month!
I bike my two daughters to school four days in a week, 20 kilometers a day in an aslant landscape, sun or rain. And I must admit that I don't like it everyday… But when I don't feel like doing it, I keep in mind that it's very healthy for my body to move, and it allows me to eat that extra bar of chocolat without putting on weight. That usually helps to get me started 😉
Holy smokes, what?! 12 miles a day!? You are killing it! That's awesome. I kind of wish I had a reason I had to bike a certain distance everyday.
I'm so sorry you and your friends got attacked; it sounds like it was so scary. I'm impressed and inspired by the fact you got back in the saddle afterwards. I don't think I would have been so brave! Go you!
Thank you, Louise! 🙂
Glad you are okay – your story is absolutely terrifying. I rarely worry when I am exploring if I am in a group, but I guess I ought not underestimate the potential for a dangerous situation. :/
Glad you ended this post on such a strong note though!!
That's honestly one of the other reasons I did share the post I wrote write after it happened, I don't want to frighten anyone. The potential for bad things to happen is always there – no matter where you are, or who youre with but you can't live in fear because of it, ya know?
Awesome! Glad to hear you didn't let that person ruin your commitment! I am so sorry that happened to you, I don't understand how there can be such terrible people in the world.
Christine | DimesandDonuts.com
I know! It's so sad. I will never understand why people have to be crappy to other people like that.
Ack! I never think about people attacking bikers, and I tend to bike places if I feel uncomfortable to walk. I didn't even think that some more western cities were more dangerous! I guess NJ has some dangerous cities, but they aren't that big of names nation wide (Trenton, Jersey City, Newark, Camden). Glad you are safe and didn't get your stuff taken!
I am glad that you find biking so empowering. I love what you wrote about your thighs, because it really defys how we view standards for female bodies. I have a similar point of view, I've gained some weight, but a have such a stronger body than I use to. I can't hate my body knowing that I can lift heavy things, run far, etc. I can't stay mad/hate my body when it can do so much!
We've actually had a rash of bikers being attacked this last year. Last fall a car hit a cyclist (on purpose) then got out of the car and robbed him at gunpoint. You just never think that stuff can happen to you, ya know? I still don't think Cleveland in general is a dangerous place. This kind of thing can happen anywhere, at any time.
Exactly. How can I be mad that my thighs touch when they're the same thing thats powering me around the city? My body is awesome!
Very true. when I lived in Philly I had my apartment broken into. Which is funny since I was living in the nicest neighborhood to date. Taking some precautions are always a good idea.
so thankful that you are safe and unstoppable. and love that you now don't hate your thighs. fantastic!
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I'm so sorry you got attacked, but it shows bravery to get right back on your bike!
I know what you mean about just feeling better about your body, not knowing if it is bigger or smaller, but knowing it is a strong and happy body! I gave up on the gym and started running and ever since I did my body feels so much happier! Getting out and about rather than being in a sweat clogged room helps so much! Congrats on your 30 days!
so sorry to hear you got attacked. so glad that you didn't let it stop you.
fyi, one of the techniques that has been proven to help trauma survivors is writing their story and editing it. the editing is important, it gives people a sense of control over their story which is really healing. if you're ever ready to share that post, i bet yr readers would be able to handle it, and it might be helpful to yr healing process too.
Super awesome you rode for 30 days (despite the challenges). You should keep the momentum rolling, May is bike month!
This is so encouraging! I starting commuting for the month of May. It's funny how confusing sexy or girly can be until we do something that surprises ourselves that brings us self worth. Keep on keepin on!
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