I just happened to glance at my lifetime Strava stats when I got back from this morning’s 130km jaunt and noticed that I’d ridden through the 40,000km mark!

I rode a little before crossing over to the world of GPS tracking, but if it’s not on Strava it doesn’t really count, right? ;-) So 40,000km on the bike –  that’s a lot of pedal strokes, a fair few hills, copious amounts of coffee and cake and countless great memories. I’ve come a long way too from the initial days of baggy shorts over Lycra while riding my Hybrid bike (with the stem slammed, of course).

These days I am lucky enough to have a couple of seriously nice bikes and kit to match. Sure I’ve spent a bit on my cycling addiction, but there are worse ways to part with your hard earned cash that’s for sure. It’s an investment in my health, both physical AND mental.

When I’m turning those pedals, nothing else matters: not the mortgage, not the store, not my team and all their bullshit. For those ten seconds or less, I’m free… Wait no, that’s a Fast and the Furious quote, but it’s basically the same thing, just for a little bit longer.  I’m only focused on the next pedal stroke propelling me forwards. It’s my meditation. My relief. It keeps me balanced. And that my friends, is why I cycle.

So here’s to the next 40,000km, and onward to 100,000km!

#BuiltByTheRide