Power of 10 Challenge

[bobco85]

@Judd 146121 wrote:

Gold star challenge complete!

Congratulations, Judd! Seeing your accomplishments is an inspiration to see if I can earn at least bronze myself. I will have to look back at my Strava history dating back to March and see what remains. I’ll check back in with my status once I figure that out.

[Steve O]

@Steve O 127705 wrote:

I like the flexibility of this challenge. Next year I will do 100 rides of at least 100 yards.

Looks like last month I more than doubled my original goal. In August I exceeded 200 rides of 200 yards or more.

You know what? I’m gonna make it even harder. That’s 200 rides of 200 METERS or more.

[Judd]

@Steve O 146136 wrote:

Looks like last month I more than doubled my original goal. In August I exceeded 200 rides of 200 yards or more.

You know what? I’m gonna make it even harder. That’s 200 rides of 200 METERS or more.

Glad to have been along on several of those 200 yarders.

[Subby]

@consularrider 145691 wrote:

that’s 69 consecutive months now.

Congrats on completing the best challenge ever!

[bobco85]

Just figured out my ride history since March, and wow, I’m knocking on the door to a silver for this challenge! Also, I had a few streaks of century/metric century rides in consecutive weeks.

Here’s the breakdown:

#1 – 3/12 – Annapolis Century Craziness – New Personal Distance Record! – I don’t know what I was thinking, but I decided “I need to really go on one of Rod’s rides!” and garnered the strength to wake up extra early to do a ride with Rod Smith and Billy all the way to Annapolis and back. It got a bit chillier as we approached the city, but I was happy for the salty air as I was sneezing, sniffling, and all kinds of disgusting snot-related stuff. Turns out I had gotten a sinus infection before the ride, but I kept up with Billy and Rod as much as possible to churn out my current personal best single day distance (120.1 miles).
https://www.strava.com/activities/515387236

#2 – 3/19 – Ride to Baltimore (Baltimore Inner Harbor & Back) – I dd this ride with Dave K, and although neither of us had ever ventured that way before, we were able to brave the cold and rainy weather to Baltimore and back. Of course, the temperature was in the 40’s (F) most of the way until we got to Baltimore where it dropped into the 30’s (F). We had to stop at a bike shop downtown to get new (dry) gloves, and things were looking a little grim as we took shelter to warm up at a Popeye’s (I only ate to warm up, bleh, the aftertaste alone is enough to never go there again). My phone battery was dying, so I’m using Dave’s Strava ride for my entry (he and I live only a few miles apart).
https://www.strava.com/activities/521507246

#3 (metric) – 3/26 – Indian Head Ride – My legs were not ready for a 3rd straight century ride, but I did do a metric century to Indian Head to check out the trail which had reopened. It was nice riding on the Indian Head Rail Trail for the first time in 2 years.
https://www.strava.com/activities/527595541

#4 (metric) – 4/16 – Bike the Metro – Purple Line – After hearing that the Purple Line was finally approved, I decided it was time to complete my “Bike the Metro” video series with the 7th line. It was nice seeing where all the future stations would be located along with the preparations (at least at some places) being made for the upcoming light rail system.
https://www.strava.com/activities/547445474

#5 (metric) – 7/23 – Molten Saddles – after a drought of (metric) century rides for a few months, I felt inspired to bike the entire Fairfax County Parkway Trail and make a video for it (video will be made later this year). It was hot and humid as the temperature got up to 98 degrees (F) with humidity around 60%, so I made sure to take lots of breaks at multiple gas station convenience stores.
https://www.strava.com/activities/651042103

#6 (metric) – 7/31 – Filming SafeTrack Surge 7 Complete! – a week after Molten Saddles, I went out in the heat to film parts of the Red Line starting all the way at Shady Grove. The heat wasn’t too bad, though, and it was fun riding out that way.
https://www.strava.com/activities/660083240

#7 (metric) – 8/20 – Leesylvania Ride – after sleeping in, I did this ride south to Leesylvania in the afternoon. It was nice to check out an area that was new to me farther south of Woodbridge, and I got to see some nice sights while riding through some parks. I also wanted to be prepared for the upcoming ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/683134738

#8 (metric) – 8/27 – Indian Head Fun Ride – I did this ride with komorebi (leader), Judd, Chris, LSG, and Andrea. Stopping to check out the interior of Fort Washington was cool even if we lost a few people from time to time (they found us eventually). We took some beautiful roads, and I really enjoyed the portion of our ride on the Indian Head Rail Trail (I had never ridden it from west to east before). I also took 10 minutes to get an awesome shot of a dragonfly up close and was appreciative for everyone’s patience. Tired, I did not follow Judd’s lead and turn it from a metric century into a century ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/691213952

#9 – 9/3 – Double IKEA, Double the Fun! – following the momentum from such a fun ride, I decided to challenge myself and ride to both IKEA’s in the area: Woodbridge and College Park. I had been to each on separate rides, but I wanted to see if I could do both in a day. Taking the Woodbridge one first, I knew that I’d have more trails to ride slowly on when it came to hitting the other IKEA. I stopped inside the College Park IKEA for delicious meatballs and more which gave me the energy to ride back and complete the century. My sister-in-law asked if I could pick something up for her, and I told her next time I bring my trailer, I’d do it!
https://www.strava.com/activities/699524238

#10 – TBD!

Total elevation gain: 25,492 ft (~7770 m)

All I need is that 10th century, and my silver will be complete!

[Judd]

@bobco85 146221 wrote:

Just figured out my ride history since March, and wow, I’m knocking on the door to a silver for this challenge! Also, I had a few streaks of century/metric century rides in consecutive weeks.

@bobco85 146129 wrote:

Congratulations, Judd! Seeing your accomplishments is an inspiration to see if I can earn at least bronze myself. I will have to look back at my Strava history dating back to March and see what remains. I’ll check back in with my status once I figure that out.

And in the Wizard of Oz moment, we find out that the Power of 10 was within you all along…

[komorebi]

Silver level complete!

9. Amish Country Bike Tour (imperial): I signed up primarily because of the pie stop, and the pie was as tasty as advertised. Other highlights included Amish children cheering us on from their front yards, baby turkeys, miniature ponies, and a chicken literally crossing the road. With barbielwc and Judd; saw Bob James, bruzasd, kwarkentien, PeteD, and snugglefestival. https://www.strava.com/activities/707478456.

10. Backroads Century (metric): Pretty rolling countryside, horses and apple orchards everywhere, great signage, and the ride organizers thoughtfully used spray paint to mark the worst of the potholes. I hit 6000 miles for 2016 on this ride. Saw Felipe, Judd, Leslie, Rudi, and Tania. https://www.strava.com/activities/716843096.

Total elevation gain: at least 20,828 feet. (I say “at least” because there were several rides where my phone’s Strava app recorded less elevation than the Garmins of the people I rode with.)

@komorebi 144402 wrote:

1. To Baltimore (metric): Taking the MARC train back to DC was surprisingly easy. Navigating the baseball traffic by the Inner Harbor and getting to Baltimore’s Penn Station was less so. With Judd and LeprosyStudyGroup. https://www.strava.com/activities/592370991.

2. To Annapolis and BWI (imperial): Any ride that involves apple pie ice cream, wild rays in the river, and something like 10 different trails is a pretty good day on the bike. With Judd and LeprosyStudy Group. https://www.strava.com/activities/613436308.

3. Virginia Capital Trail (imperial): Beautiful trail, mostly flat, and not crowded even on a nice weekend. Plus, the cyclists usually wave or say hi to each other. With CBGanimal and two others from NoVA CBG. https://www.strava.com/activities/622073073.

4. Tour de Chocolate Town (imperial): Rolling hills, lots of cornfields, and a few adorable baby cows and ponies. Also my first encounter with a Nutella and jelly sandwich. Where have you been all my life? With Judd and LeprosyStudyGroup; saw AFHokie. https://www.strava.com/activities/643082198.

5. Steve O’s sendoff (metric): I rode with the sendoff group as far as the Green Lizard, rode home, then added a few more miles to turn it into a metric. https://www.strava.com/activities/644239301.

6. Tour de Frederick (metric): Riding a metric when the heat index was over 110 wasn’t the brightest idea I’ve ever had. So my helmet is off to the high-wheel riders, some of whom wore period clothing, racing in Frederick later that afternoon. With Judd; saw AFHokie. https://www.strava.com/activities/674711570.

7. Alexandria-Ft. Washington-Indian Head loop (metric): We rode our bikes right into Fort Washington and the park rangers didn’t bat an eye, just smiled and wished us a good morning. The Indian Head and Henson Creek trails were awesome oases amid the suburban speedways. With barbielwc, bobco85, CBGanimal, and Judd, and partway with LeprosyStudyGroup. https://www.strava.com/activities/691184242.

8. Indian Head 100 (imperial): Beautiful scenic route and great signage, although they kept running low on food at the rest stops. A number of Forum members and coffee club regulars were kind enough to let me hang on their rear wheels for a few moments before they sped off into the distance, including CBGanimal, f148vr, FastFriendlyGuy, GK, Judd, Kitty, LeprosyStudyGroup, MK, Reba, and Steve O. Saw Amalitza, consularrider, and Tania, but missed seeing Rod. https://www.strava.com/activities/701778664.

[Judd]

@komorebi 146224 wrote:

Silver level complete!

9. Amish Country Bike Tour (imperial): I signed up primarily because of the pie stop, and the pie was as tasty as advertised. Other highlights included Amish children cheering us on from their front yards, baby turkeys, miniature ponies, and a chicken literally crossing the road. With barbielwc and Judd; saw Bob James, bruzasd, kwarkentien, PeteD, and snugglefestival. https://www.strava.com/activities/707478456.

10. Backroads Century (metric): Pretty rolling countryside, horses and apple orchards everywhere, great signage, and the ride organizers thoughtfully used spray paint to mark the worst of the potholes. I hit 6000 miles for 2016 on this ride. Saw Felipe, Judd, Leslie, Rudi, and Tania. https://www.strava.com/activities/716843096.

Total elevation gain: at least 20,828 feet. (I say “at least” because there were several rides where my phone’s Strava app recorded less elevation than the Garmins of the people I rode with.)

I forgot about the baby turkeys on Amish Country Bike Tour. They were so cute, even though they weren’t crossing the road.

[bobco85]

@komorebi 146224 wrote:

Silver level complete!

Congratulations on the achievement! Hopefully, I will be able to join you among the silver elites via my #10 ride this weekend.

@Judd 146222 wrote:

And in the Wizard of Oz moment, we find out that the Power of 10 was within you all along…

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12465[/ATTACH]
Aw, thanks Mr. Wizard

[Judd]

@bobco85 146254 wrote:

Congratulations on the achievement! Hopefully, I will be able to join you among the silver elites via my #10 ride this weekend.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12465[/ATTACH]
Aw, thanks Mr. Wizard

Pay no attention to the man beneath the wool cap. I’m looking forward to your tenth ride.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Anonymous]

@bobco85 146221 wrote:

Just figured out my ride history since March, and wow, I’m knocking on the door to a silver for this challenge!

All I need is that 10th century, and my silver will be complete!

I momentarily thought, “hey, me too!”. Then I checked the initial challenge rules

@SarahBee 124152 wrote:

Rides must be completed in one day without large gaps of time except for rest stops, etc.

so, um, is a 9 hour work day a “large gap of time”, or a “rest stop”? 😮

[bobco85]

As of today, I have now reached the silver level for the challenge!

@bobco85 146221 wrote:

#1 – 3/12 – Annapolis Century Craziness – New Personal Distance Record! – I don’t know what I was thinking, but I decided “I need to really go on one of Rod’s rides!” and garnered the strength to wake up extra early to do a ride with Rod Smith and Billy all the way to Annapolis and back. It got a bit chillier as we approached the city, but I was happy for the salty air as I was sneezing, sniffling, and all kinds of disgusting snot-related stuff. Turns out I had gotten a sinus infection before the ride, but I kept up with Billy and Rod as much as possible to churn out my current personal best single day distance (120.1 miles).
https://www.strava.com/activities/515387236

#2 – 3/19 – Ride to Baltimore (Baltimore Inner Harbor & Back) – I dd this ride with Dave K, and although neither of us had ever ventured that way before, we were able to brave the cold and rainy weather to Baltimore and back. Of course, the temperature was in the 40’s (F) most of the way until we got to Baltimore where it dropped into the 30’s (F). We had to stop at a bike shop downtown to get new (dry) gloves, and things were looking a little grim as we took shelter to warm up at a Popeye’s (I only ate to warm up, bleh, the aftertaste alone is enough to never go there again). My phone battery was dying, so I’m using Dave’s Strava ride for my entry (he and I live only a few miles apart).
https://www.strava.com/activities/521507246

#3 (metric) – 3/26 – Indian Head Ride – My legs were not ready for a 3rd straight century ride, but I did do a metric century to Indian Head to check out the trail which had reopened. It was nice riding on the Indian Head Rail Trail for the first time in 2 years.
https://www.strava.com/activities/527595541

#4 (metric) – 4/16 – Bike the Metro – Purple Line – After hearing that the Purple Line was finally approved, I decided it was time to complete my “Bike the Metro” video series with the 7th line. It was nice seeing where all the future stations would be located along with the preparations (at least at some places) being made for the upcoming light rail system.
https://www.strava.com/activities/547445474

#5 (metric) – 7/23 – Molten Saddles – after a drought of (metric) century rides for a few months, I felt inspired to bike the entire Fairfax County Parkway Trail and make a video for it (video will be made later this year). It was hot and humid as the temperature got up to 98 degrees (F) with humidity around 60%, so I made sure to take lots of breaks at multiple gas station convenience stores.
https://www.strava.com/activities/651042103

#6 (metric) – 7/31 – Filming SafeTrack Surge 7 Complete! – a week after Molten Saddles, I went out in the heat to film parts of the Red Line starting all the way at Shady Grove. The heat wasn’t too bad, though, and it was fun riding out that way.
https://www.strava.com/activities/660083240

#7 (metric) – 8/20 – Leesylvania Ride – after sleeping in, I did this ride south to Leesylvania in the afternoon. It was nice to check out an area that was new to me farther south of Woodbridge, and I got to see some nice sights while riding through some parks. I also wanted to be prepared for the upcoming ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/683134738

#8 (metric) – 8/27 – Indian Head Fun Ride – I did this ride with komorebi (leader), Judd, Chris, LSG, and Andrea. Stopping to check out the interior of Fort Washington was cool even if we lost a few people from time to time (they found us eventually). We took some beautiful roads, and I really enjoyed the portion of our ride on the Indian Head Rail Trail (I had never ridden it from west to east before). I also took 10 minutes to get an awesome shot of a dragonfly up close and was appreciative for everyone’s patience. Tired, I did not follow Judd’s lead and turn it from a metric century into a century ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/691213952

#9 – 9/3 – Double IKEA, Double the Fun! – following the momentum from such a fun ride, I decided to challenge myself and ride to both IKEA’s in the area: Woodbridge and College Park. I had been to each on separate rides, but I wanted to see if I could do both in a day. Taking the Woodbridge one first, I knew that I’d have more trails to ride slowly on when it came to hitting the other IKEA. I stopped inside the College Park IKEA for delicious meatballs and more which gave me the energy to ride back and complete the century. My sister-in-law asked if I could pick something up for her, and I told her next time I bring my trailer, I’d do it!
https://www.strava.com/activities/699524238

#10 (metric) – 9/25 – Visiting All of My Nieces’/Nephew’s Schools and Achieving Silver Level for Power of 10 Challenge! – aptly named, my biggest challenge was really to create an interesting route, so I chose to do a loop in DC using the 15th St cycletrack/14th St bike lane and the MBT and a loop through Fairfax visiting all 3 of my nieces’/nephew’s schools (I had been promising them that I would bike to all of their schools). I did not have my sunglasses because those were left on a store counter in the Northern Neck area of Virginia yesterday (I’m really bad about remembering where do I put my sunglasses once the sun sets, though luckily I’ve been at work/family’s homes when I did that), so there were a few instances of tilting my head down to avoid letting my eyes burn. Also, I had to ride on Braddock Road for the half mile west of the Beltway overpass and do a left turn off of it, and let me tell you, THAT 4 LANE ROAD NOT COUNTING TURN LANES SUCKS. I also witnessed a driver-cyclist crash (no one was hurt), but that will go on the appropriate thread. Still, a great bike ride, and I was feeling good for the accomplishment.
https://www.strava.com/activities/725033035

Final elevation gain total: 27,789 feet (8470 meters)

[AFHokie]

#Preamble: 3/19 – Baltimore Inner Harbor with bobco85. Despite neither of us having ever riding the route before and on/off freezing rain conditions (the harsher the conditions, the greater sense of accomplishment) we made it.

I had a near metric but didn’t make the cut for April.

#1: 5-14-2016 – Cap 2 Cap I really liked this ride, very well marked and well supported.

#2: 6-18-2016 – Door County, WI Spring Classic Garmin shorted me about 0.3mi, but the ride ended at a beer fest so all is forgiven.

#3: 6-25-2016 – Wye School Two Rivers Century Rode this with snugglefestival

#4: 7-02-2016 – Random spontaneous Metric on the WOD

#5: 7-16-2016 – Tour de Chocolate with a Lumberjack, LeprosyStudyGroup & Komorebi sighting

#6: 8-13-2016 – Tour de Frederick A very, very hot day and I missed a turn which almost turned the ride into a double metric. Saw Lumberjack & Komorebi.

#7: 8-28-2016 – Pedal Pittsburgh Metric A really nice riding tour of the city that took me to places I always knew about growing up, but had never visited. Rode with snugglefestival

#8: 9-10-2016 – Civil War Century A very hot, but very scenic ride

#9: 9-25-2016 – Jeremiah Bishop Alpine Loop GF I had the right gearing, but my legs didn’t have the climbing in them. In addition to a lot more climbing training, if I ever ride it again I may opt for a tire with tread as I had a very difficult time holding any traction with the roubaix pro’s during the gravel climbs. Once I spun out it was impossible to remount again until I made it to a spot that leveled out a bit. However there were plenty of washouts & portions that are more rock than gravel where I’d probably still end up dismounting due to a lack of ability over that kind of terrain on a drop bar bike. Saw Tim V. & Teresa A.

Barring any hurricanes or other random events #10 should be the Seagull Century.

Total elevation: 42,011 feet (does not include preamble)

[Subby]

@Subby 143321 wrote:

I still love this idea and it’s good motivation to do moar stupid stuff. So I’ve done 9 centuries so far, but wait…7 of them were PRE-SOLSTICE. No problem – again, all the more reason to do stupid rides.

CENTURY 1 – KILL BILL 2016
https://www.strava.com/activities/593451646
The best/worst century in metro dc with 120+ miles of riding and almost 12k feet of climbing. Plus I did it on my steel single speed!

CENTURY 2 – 2016 DC Randos Fleche
https://www.strava.com/activities/534325268
Super chill 24 hour team ride of 240+ miles and 16400 feet of climbing with snow, rain, gusts up to 60 mph, and warm sunshine!

CENTURY 3 – Skyline for Cobbler and Ice Cream
https://www.strava.com/activities/652288954
A few hills, pleasant temps, 3 black bears, and the best cobbler and ice cream combination in my lifetime.

3 down, 7 to go…

CENTURY 4 (and 5?) – Lynn Kristianson Inspiration Super 600K
https://www.strava.com/activities/725231334
This is a permanent route – basically a brevet but one which you can ride when you want to ride. You just register with the ride administrator and then to get credit, finish within 50 hours and get pictures and receipts at pre-determined controls (like convenience stores, waysides, etc.). This is a “Super” 600K because there is more than 32,000 feet of climbing. It starts at the top of Skyline in Front Royal, continues a ways down the Blue Ridge Parkway until you turn around and go back the way you came (and add three major descents/ascents to and from the Parkway) all the way through Skyline to the the 7-11 in Front Royal. Seven of us started at 4am on a Saturday, and we finished starting at 8pm Sunday night. A few folks rode pretty courageously but did not finish. There was a brief overnight in Raphine – I got a sumptuous, black-out, no-dream four hours of sleep. Final tally was 375 miles and 36,500 feet of climbing. Thanks to my #teamshady teammates Eric and Caleb for doing much of this ride with me.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Wait, there was sleep involved? I take back all the nice things I said about this. #unimpressed

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