September challenges to keep you riding to the end of summer
Consistency and big miles - a perfect combination for hitting your target mileage
With the summer holidays already feeling like a lifetime ago and the sun tan wearing off, life for many of us will be getting back to normal. That means back to work, back to school, and back to more normal riding patterns.
There are fewer organised events to ride as we get to this time or year, but there is still plenty of daylight hours and warm weather to ride in, so there's no need to slow down just yet.
If you need a bit of motivation there are two new challenges for you try. Keep us all posted with your progress, and be sure to let us know if and when you tip over the 5,000 mile mark. September is usually a month when we get a flood of finishers.
>>>>Finishers medals now available
1. Ride five days in a row
Consistency has always been the key to big miles. It doesn't matter if you never do a big ride, if you keep plugging away you'll get to 5,000 miles. After all, all you need to do is average 13 miles a day to hit that target.
If you manage to ride every day you'll soon notice it becomes a habit. At that point getting out for a ride ceases to become difficult, and instead just becomes the normal thing to do.
Indoor and outdoor miles count for this challenge, the only caveat is that each ride has to be at least 10 miles in distance or one hour in length.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
2. Complete a 100 mile ride
Remember what you just read about consistency being key, and not big miles? Well forget that for now, because we all love a big day out in the saddle!
We always try and mix up these challenges to get the best out of you, so once you've done your five rides you should have the fitness to tackle a century. That's if you don't already have the fitness.
Why 100 miles? Well, hitting a round number on a ride is one of those things cyclists just have to do. Riding round the block to get the computer on your handlebars to tick over to three digits. Is it even possible to finish a ride after 99.4 miles? I don't think so.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.
-
I’m having to tell people I’m still a cyclist despite the fact it’s not cool anymore
Bragging rights now belong to the paddleboarders
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS review: a gravel bike of two halves?
The integrated cockpit and aero tubing are somewhat at odds with the Grail's taller stack height
By Rachel Sokal Published
-
Big Ride Challenge: September challenges
There's still time to log some long rides as you discover new areas to ride
By Simon Richardson Published
-
Order your Big Ride Challenge finisher's medal
If you've completed your chosen distance in 2024, now's the time to celebrate and order your medal!
By Simon Richardson Published
-
The leaves may be falling, but I find the idea that cycling should take the back seat now defeatist
Gilet? Knee warmers? Gloves? As we enter transition, staying on two wheels isn’t up for debate
By Adam Becket Published
-
Big Ride Challenge t-shirts now available to buy
If you want to let others know how far you plan to ride in 2024, you can now get it printed across your chest.
By Simon Richardson Published
-
Big Ride Challenge 2024 Finishers List
From 500 to 5,000 miles, a list of everyone who has completed the CW challenge in 2024
By Simon Richardson Last updated
-
Will riding your favourite road help you reach 5,000 miles this year?
With just two months of riding to go before our annual mileages are confirmed, here are two more challenges to keep you motivated
By Simon Richardson Published
-
CW5000 2023 Finishers club
Find out who has completed the 5,000 mile challenge. Keep logging your miles if you want to be added to the list
By Simon Richardson Published
-
Tinker Bottom on Quicksie Hill - the search for Britain's funniest road names is over
Here are the 27 of the funniest road names from across the UK. And not all of them are rude
By Simon Richardson Published