Cycling challenge - 3 days left

August 28, 2007 11:04 PM

Only 3 days left in the August cycling challenge. Wolfdog still leads JeffL, but an 85 mile lead isn't very big the way those guys are riding.
posted by Chuckles to MetaFilter Gatherings at 11:04 PM (55 comments total)

And the standings, at the end of week 4:

 1)     wolfdog                    1107.10  n.c. 2)     JeffL                      1021.62  n.c. 3)     Chuckles                   701.43  n.c. 4)     hydrophonic                695.15    +2 5)     hangashore                 666.17    -1 6)     tip120                     573.75    +1 7)     the_painkiller             559.30    -2 8)     lonefrontranger            448.98  n.c. 9)     mikepop                    309.24  n.c.10)     ssg                        271.16  n.c.11)     ObscureReferenceMan        270.59  n.c.12)     popechunk                  260.17  n.c.13)     turbodog                   252.80    +114)     togdon                     242.90    -115)     smich                      234.12   +1716)     interfacetious             225.00    -117)     asbestos_mcpinto           208.12    -118)     scblackman                 176.90    -119)     Lucinda                    171.26    +120)     toekneesan                 167.70    -221)     box                        150.91    +322)     everichon                  150.56    -323)     takeyourmedicine           149.93    -124)     Tracert                    145.37    +125)     drezdn                     140.00    -226)     denisealexander            139.40    +327)     fijiwriter                 136.45    +428)     john_m                     130.85    -729)     sequential                 120.45    -130)     jacalata                   113.09   +1431)     mumkin                     111.32    +232)     thinman                    110.95    -533)     karenbikes                 110.70    +234)     isopraxis                  108.49    -835)     tuwa                       107.19    -536)     sveskemus                  103.56  n.c.37)     GalaxieFiveHundred          96.60  n.c.38)     mathowie                    86.76    -439)     needled                     84.06    -140)     migurski                    83.31    +141)     readery                     71.50    +242)     tribaby                     65.65    -343)     ND-Cent                     57.24    -344)     D_Phage                     54.56    -245)     penguinliz                  45.81  n.c.46)     aliksd                      45.23  n.c.47)     bristolcat                  38.35  n.c.48)     CitrusFreak12               32.86  n.c.49)     oneirodynia                 31.84   +1050)     AmbrosiaVoyeur              26.00    -151)     Any_Portmanteau_in_a_Storm  25.12    -152)     parksr82                    21.50    -153)     exois                       18.64    -154)     adamgreenfield              18.37    --55)     billyfleetwood              18.00    -256)     hindmost                    17.04    -257)     ardgedee                    15.00    -258)     pluckymisha                 14.27    -259)     JohnFredra                  13.32    -260)     defeated                    12.45    -261)     youcancallmeal              11.47    -162)     maudlin                      7.70    -1

I'm thinking hydrophonic has his eyes on 3rd place..
posted by Chuckles at 11:06 PM on August 28, 2007

And the group results:

 2184 Aug 8 3681 Aug 11 5382 Aug 15 ([phone] Aug 18 8108 Aug 22 ([phone] Aug 2511605 Aug 29 (+3497)

Wow, the last 4 days have been huge!
posted by Chuckles at 11:13 PM on August 28, 2007

1100 miles in a month?! Jesus Christ.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:26 PM on August 28, 2007

1107 miles?

I'll start in the morning. Just a quick nap, first. Ooo, and some cookies!
posted by loquacious at 11:40 PM on August 28, 2007

Oh crap I signed up at the site but haven't entered a thing! Well, my 10 - 20 miles a day for the last 2 weeks won't get me close to the eleventy million in first place.
posted by The Deej at 11:50 PM on August 28, 2007

Who are you people? If anyone is intersted in a swimming challenge for September, I'm all over it.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 5:43 AM on August 29, 2007

I haven't, uh, filled any of the ride logs for about three weeks. Will try to fix, uh, Thursday. -ish. Hopefully.
posted by ardgedee at 6:00 AM on August 29, 2007

My bike is still sitting in the storage locker, with an uninflated tire. But, on the plus side, the bike computer is sitting (still in its package) on the dresser in my bedroom. One day the two will magically combine.
posted by inigo2 at 6:41 AM on August 29, 2007

Drat, I *knew* I should have ridden yesterday.
posted by Lucinda at 6:59 AM on August 29, 2007

I'm in for swimming, running, and cycling in September.
posted by sequential at 7:44 AM on August 29, 2007

Damn, I have some mileage I forgot to enter in, too, but I'm not going to be up with the big guns in any case.
posted by misha at 8:23 AM on August 29, 2007

Ooo, I just noticed this project. Very cool. And just as my bike is (hopefully) finished with being in and out of the shop. I haven't much time, but don't rest on your laurels you people with placement in the thirties! I'm coming for YOOOUUUU!
posted by otolith at 8:39 AM on August 29, 2007

Are we gonna continue the cycling thing in Sept? I am enjoying this, for no easily discernible reason.
posted by everichon at 8:43 AM on August 29, 2007

Thirding the "can we do this again in September?"
posted by iguanapolitico at 8:59 AM on August 29, 2007

Yeah, we can just continually do it on the weendure site. (the winters in the northern hemisphere will probably be pretty quiet though)
posted by mathowie (staff) at 9:07 AM on August 29, 2007

Dang! I thought I was set in 10th place. I'll just have to ride some more tonight! (Thanks for the inspriration, all!)

Fourthing the continue in September.
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 10:59 AM on August 29, 2007

the winters in the northern hemisphere will probably be pretty quiet though

Not for the swimmers!!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:00 AM on August 29, 2007

the winters in the northern hemisphere will probably be pretty quiet though

Winter in the northern hemisphere will be my opportunity to crush you all with my modest but steady bike commuting. ;)
posted by everichon at 11:36 AM on August 29, 2007

Repeating myself from the weendure site, how about a metafilter-blue bike jersey?

I'm pretty much done with wearing teeshirts that have other people's names on them, but bike jerseys are still a novelty to me. I'm sure I'd buy two before I got jaded.
posted by ardgedee at 12:43 PM on August 29, 2007

Repeating myself from the weendure site, how about a metafilter-blue bike jersey?

MetaFilter logo on the front, "your favorite bike sucks" tagline on the back.
posted by mikepop at 1:17 PM on August 29, 2007

So, fun fact: if we can ride 846 more miles this month, Metafilter will have collectively ridden half way around the world.

Go team internet!
posted by tracert at 4:51 PM on August 29, 2007

Metafilter will have collectively ridden half way around the world.

Indeed. Can we at least take the downhill route on the way home?
/Always seems to find the headwind...
posted by hangashore at 6:03 PM on August 29, 2007

Wolfdog, you are amazing! You too, JeffL, and the others at the top. I finally entered my miles, and was feeling a little bit of an accomplishment. But DANG! You people are astounding. I'm hoping your accomplishment gives me some motivation, but right now it's just making me depressed.

Just wait till September though. Yah. Uh huh. That's right.

*whimpers off, tail between legs*
posted by The Deej at 6:26 PM on August 29, 2007

Sweet, September 1st coincides with my doc's permission for my triumphant return to the bike. I'm in for this round.
posted by asterisk at 11:21 PM on August 29, 2007

Metafilter will have collectively ridden half way around the world.

We could really use the help of the swimmers on this. For the watery parts.
posted by hydrophonic at 5:52 AM on August 30, 2007

hey man I'm doing my part.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:24 AM on August 30, 2007

For the watery parts.

Insert "like a fish needs a bicycle" part here.
posted by hangashore at 7:46 AM on August 30, 2007

Sadly, I never learned to swim :(

I'm 41 - is it too late to learn?
posted by JeffL at 8:33 AM on August 30, 2007

I'm 41 - is it too late to learn?

Nope! Unless you're really phobic of the water, picking up basic swimming abilities is not tough at all and it's great exercise and kind to joints and muscles. I'd suggest it.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:45 AM on August 30, 2007

Let's definitely do this in September!

And if people wanna put together something to get MetaFilter cycling jerseys, I could definitely help out with that.
posted by thebigdeadwaltz at 9:11 AM on August 30, 2007

I suppose I was sort of afraid of the water as a kid, which is why I never learned. Now, though, I'd like to do it, but I just feel sort of dumb learning at this late date.
posted by JeffL at 9:12 AM on August 30, 2007

I think it's good for adults to know how to swim the same way it's good to have a driver's license even if you don't drive. You could help out in a pinch and you're less likely to become a liability in a weird bad situation. You can take a class with the Red Cross for free or cheap and the first level is really getting used to the water. Unlike learning to swim from your folks or a friend, the Red Cross classes are really focussed on getting you comfy with the water and bring proficient with water skills, there's no toss you in and see if you float nonsense. It's all "look how good you're doing, now let's try this new thing..."

Men, especially men of medium or slim builds can have a hard time with swimming initially because you don't have a lot of body fat and you SINK. If you're heavier at least you'll float so it can be easier to get basic skills down. I've been doing lifeguard trainin all week so Im a little "rah rah pool!" right now, but Id encourage you to find and take a class.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:33 AM on August 30, 2007

Thanks, Jessamyn. Actually, I'm probably the leanest I've been in ten years, so I'd probably sink without some instruction.
posted by JeffL at 10:10 AM on August 30, 2007

MetaFilter logo on the front, "your favorite bike sucks" tagline on the back.

Why not logo on front, username on back? Seriously, I like the idea of a MetaFilter jersey.
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 12:29 PM on August 30, 2007

Aww man. I suck. With all the dog walking I've been doing lately I may actually defect to the running/walking challenge.

*slinks out in typical loser fashion*
posted by hindmost at 5:02 PM on August 30, 2007

I'm 41 - is it too late to learn?
posted by JeffL

Alright JeffL, you're pissing me off now. It's not enough that you humiliate us mere mortals by biking over a 1000 miles this month? Now you want to learn swimming too? What are you gonna do, swim across the /big body of water near you/ on your Friday lunch break?

*Puffs chest. Resumes thumb-wrestling with my daughter.*
posted by The Deej at 6:51 PM on August 30, 2007

Oh cripes. It's the last day, and weendure is down.

Chuckles, I don't remember where we stood last night in our race for third, but I did 9.26 miles this morning.
posted by hydrophonic at 10:50 AM on August 31, 2007

:)

I logged about 6km last night, and was ahead by ~2miles.. I just did 53.22km, and I feel completely dead! And, I have to go out revising (door to door check of eligible voters) tonight for 4-5 hours, ARGH! If I can still roll after that.. Well..

Regardless of how we make out for third, I feel pretty good about passing 800miles for the month. My prediction beforehand was about half of that :)
posted by Chuckles at 11:12 AM on August 31, 2007

Also, I think I just emailed defeated at the address in this post. Best if we don't completely spam that mailbox :P
posted by Chuckles at 11:43 AM on August 31, 2007

Why did I type "I think"? Whatever..
posted by Chuckles at 11:44 AM on August 31, 2007

53.22 km, huh. Lesse, that's...33 miles. Hmmm....

*rubs palms together, grins maniacally*
posted by hydrophonic at 12:10 PM on August 31, 2007

Anyone else get the mental picture of hydrophonic and Chuckles out pedalling along their respective lakesides until midnight tonight?

Yeah, I wish I had a lake.
posted by hangashore at 3:01 PM on August 31, 2007

Is weendure still down? I have 10.1 miles to log in.
posted by misha at 4:13 PM on August 31, 2007

I just entered my 9 miles. So maybe it's working.
posted by The Deej at 4:17 PM on August 31, 2007

Yep, back up. And, it is 10pm here, I think I'll be going out again as soon as I change and put new batts in my light :)

'cause, you know, I'm not going to have 800 miles next month..

Did you read that, 800 miles!!
That would have been blink worthy, except a couple of guys who shall remain nameless went a little farther..
posted by Chuckles at 7:00 PM on August 31, 2007

Well I just got back, and I'm not going out again. So if you're going out, 3rd place is yours for less than half a mile tonight.
posted by hydrophonic at 7:27 PM on August 31, 2007

Ya, I had to do it.. Kind of lame for a Friday night, but you know :P

And I got the topographical maps! Which I'll just have to throw away again in a couple of years, but they seem really cool right now.
posted by Chuckles at 8:45 PM on August 31, 2007

The final numbers (I think..):

 1)     wolfdog                    1299.40  n.c. 2)     JeffL                      1167.32  n.c. 3)     Chuckles                    820.36  n.c. 4)     hydrophonic                 809.05  n.c. 5)     hangashore                  737.38  n.c. 6)     tip120                      610.00  n.c. 7)     the_painkiller              597.30  n.c. 8)     lonefrontranger             485.73  n.c. 9)     ssg                         439.55    +110)     mikepop                     328.35    -111)     turbodog                    302.20    +212)     ObscureReferenceMan         297.20    -113)     togdon                      261.62    +114)     interfacetious              260.64    +215)     popechunk                   260.17    -316)     asbestos_mcpinto            254.00    +117)     smich                       234.12    -218)     TheDeej                     211.00    --19)     everichon                   194.70    +320)     toekneesan                  183.30  n.c.21)     Tracert                     181.65    +322)     Lucinda                     181.26    -323)     scblackman                  176.90    -524)     drezdn                      169.00    +125)     box                         168.45    -426)     john_m                      150.99    +227)     takeyourmedicine            149.93    -428)     denisealexander             139.40    -229)     sequential                  139.08  n.c.30)     fijiwriter                  136.45    -331)     jacalata                    126.14    -132)     isopraxis                   124.03    +233)     thinman                     118.55    -134)     mumkin                      115.35    -335)     tuwa                        115.02  n.c.36)     karenbikes                  112.50    -337)     sveskemus                   103.56    -138)     GalaxieFiveHundred           96.60    -139)     tribaby                      92.65    +340)     readery                      91.00    +141)     needled                      87.62    -242)     mathowie                     86.76    -443)     migurski                     83.31    -344)     ND-Cent                      57.24    -145)     D_Phage                      54.56    -146)     otolith                      47.30    --47)     penguinliz                   45.81    -248)     aliksd                       45.23    -249)     bristolcat                   38.35    -250)     CitrusFreak12                32.86    -251)     oneirodynia                  31.84    -252)     adamgreenfield               29.07    +253)     AmbrosiaVoyeur               26.00    -354)     Any_Portmanteau_in_a_Storm   25.12    -355)     parksr82                     21.50    -356)     exois                        18.64    -357)     billyfleetwood               18.00    -258)     hindmost                     17.04    -259)     ardgedee                     15.00    -260)     pluckymisha                  14.27    -261)     JohnFredra                   13.32    -262)     defeated                     12.45    -263)     hermitosis                   12.00    --64)     youcancallmeal               11.47    -365)     maudlin                       7.70    -3

And the final total for the group as a whole:

     2184 Aug 8
     3681 Aug 11
     5382 Aug 15 (+3198)
     6652 Aug 18
     8108 Aug 22 (+2720)
     9459 Aug 25
    11605 Aug 29 (+3497)
    13294 Aug 31

posted by Chuckles at 9:44 AM on September 1, 2007

D'oh..
posted by Chuckles at 9:44 AM on September 1, 2007

Thanks for your work on this, Chuckles. I'll have to get out there today and start September with a few miles on a non-work day.
posted by The Deej at 11:07 AM on September 1, 2007

Thanks for keeping us updated, Chuckles, and kudos to yourself and hydrophonic for providing a furious finish to the race for third.
posted by hangashore at 1:52 PM on September 1, 2007

Thanks for posting this again Chuckles!

Dang! If only I had done those 35 miles like I wanted on Wednesday, I would have stayed in 10th place. Oh well, this is good incentive for September!
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 2:38 PM on September 1, 2007

It would be awesome if we could discover some more millennial riders in September!
posted by Chuckles at 2:57 PM on September 1, 2007

Sooo, 34 miles a day would give me 1000 miles for this month.

Hmmmm... It's certainly physically doable. I'll be out of town for a week though. Otherwise, just adding an extra 14 miles after work would do it.

*checking google maps*
posted by The Deej at 3:31 PM on September 1, 2007

Oops I meant 24 miles.

Ok then, forget it, I quit. ;)
posted by The Deej at 3:36 PM on September 1, 2007