Monday, April 30, 2012

Every Day May

I'd like to propose a little experiment to our loyal readers.  I'm going to undertake something I'm calling Every Day May.  Quickly tossing the phrase to Google will make clear that I'm not the first person to think up the idea or enjoy its simple rhymes.  This guy claims to have invented it, though there's some triathlon version out there, too.  And, of course, the arts crowd has their version.  It's entirely possible, however, that the term is so popular precisely because it's such a good idea.  Or catchy.  But I'm going with good.

The experiment is this: what happens if you try to throw your leg over your bike every day of the month?  I'm not talking about big miles.  I'm not talking about the challenge of doing 30 hard rides all back-to-back.  I'm not even talking about putting together a month-long training plan.  I'm just talking about simply getting in a few pedal strokes a day, every day.  Let's say the reasonable minimum is once around the block.

It's May, and those of you who don't live on the frozen tundra are probably already out on the bikes fairly regularly.  Those of us in the north, though, are just trying to get into some kind of rhythm on the road.  For me, at least, this is an attempt to jump-start that process.  For you guys down south, perhaps this will just add another dimension to your routine.

Perhaps its just an experiment in getting the bike more fully integrated into every day life.  I already know that a bunch of family and work stuff is going to come up to keep me from doing all the rides I'd like to do.  But if I have this challenge in the back of my mind, I can probably find a way to squeeze a ride to the grocery store into the schedule.  I can pedal a commute I might not pedal.  I can go once around the block and put the bike back in the garage.

Eh, I just realized that I said challenge in that last paragraph.  This isn't a challenge.  It's an experiment. We can update things here in the comments section; we can present our data at the end of the month.  I'm looking forward to seeing what happens, and I'm hoping at least some of you will join me in the lab.


4 comments:

  1. Yes! Pedal around every day of the month! Wheeeeee!

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  2. I love this idea. I'm in for the experiment. After supper, my 9-year-old son and I will go off on a little explore on our bikes. Maybe I can convince some neighbours to join in on the challenge, er, experiment.

    Victoria Day

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  3. I like it too. I just went for a spin around the maypole on my way to the workers' parade. To the bikes, comrades!

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  4. Great idea!! I will have to try it

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