I tried cycling for *ANOTHER* 30 days

Summary

A cyclist shares her journey preparing for a 125 km bike-packing trip. She details five key tasks recommended by her audience, starting with a bike tune-up, bike fit adjustments, and replacing an outdated helmet. She also stocks up on essential gear, including lights, a tire repair kit, and a handlebar bag. Lastly, she focuses on proper nutrition to avoid exhaustion during long rides. Despite the challenges of hilly terrain and bike issues, she emphasizes the importance of pushing past self-doubt and enjoying the adventure.

Takeaways

• 🚴 The narrator recently bought a used gravel bike and now aims to go on a 125 km bike-packing trip to a small island.
• 🔧 A bike tune-up was recommended as the first step, especially since the bike was bought second-hand, to ensure everything works properly.
• 🧰 A professional bike fit was done to address discomfort and pain while riding. Adjustments to the seat position were made to improve comfort.
• ⛑️ The narrator replaced an old helmet after a bike professional advised it was too old and potentially unsafe, highlighting the importance of proper cycling safety gear.
• 💡 New gear, including front and rear lights, a second water bottle cage, a tire repair kit, and other accessories, was purchased for safety and convenience during long rides.
• 📦 Installing new bike accessories, like a handlebar bag and a rear pannier rack, took longer than expected but was eventually completed with help.
• 🥤 The narrator emphasizes the importance of proper refueling during long rides to avoid exhaustion, also known as 'bonking.' Snacks were packed for emergencies.
• 🛠️ The bike trip faced a few challenges, including tough hills and needing to stop for repairs, demonstrating the unpredictability of bike-packing adventures.
• 😅 Despite the difficulties, the narrator found the trip rewarding, noting that stepping out of comfort zones can lead to surprising achievements.
• 🗣️ The narrator encourages overcoming self-doubt, as attempting new challenges can reveal that people are more capable than they often believe.

Q & A

What was the speaker’s initial goal after buying a used gravel bike?

The speaker's initial goal was to become a 'hot cyclist' who enjoys long bike rides and fun treats along the way.

What is the speaker’s new goal after accomplishing their first one?

The speaker’s new goal is to go on a 125 km bike-packing trip to a small island.

What was the first thing the speaker needed to do before their trip?

The first thing the speaker needed to do was to get a bike tune-up to ensure everything was working properly.

How did the bike fit session improve the speaker's cycling experience?

The bike fit session helped reduce the speaker's upper back and 'nether regions' pain by adjusting the seat and recommending a potential wider saddle for comfort.

Why did the speaker decide to replace their old helmet?

The speaker replaced their old helmet because it was from 2017, and the foam inside had likely degraded over time, making it less safe.

What new gear did the speaker purchase for their bike-packing trip?

The speaker purchased a front and rear light, a second water bottle and cage, a tire repair kit, a small bag for emergency gear, secondhand panniers, a rear rack, and a handlebar bag.

What was the most challenging part of preparing the gear for the trip?

The most challenging part was assembling the handlebar bag, which took much longer than expected, requiring an hour and a half to complete.

Why did the speaker need to eat more while cycling?

The speaker needed to eat more during longer rides to avoid extreme fatigue and what cyclists refer to as 'bonking,' where energy levels drastically drop.

What was the speaker's experience with the energy gels (‘goo things’)?

The speaker found the energy gels disgusting but acknowledged that they provided much-needed energy during the trip, especially by day three.

What was the speaker's takeaway from completing the 125 km bike-packing trip?

The speaker realized that people are more capable than they think and that they don’t need to wait for someone else to show them how to do something—they just need to silence the inner voice that says they can’t.