Strava challenged people to ride as many miles as they could during January with the Strava Basemile blast. Over 45,000 took part signed up from all over the world, and we rode a sum total of over 12 million miles.
January – cold, ice, snow, rain, wind. It’s as though the weather deliberately throws everything it’s got at cyclists in an attempt to say “FFS, chill out and put your feet up by the fire, have some cake and watch tv like everybody else.”
But no, Strava had other plans for us. The “Basemile Blast” was beautifully simple – ride as many miles as you can in January. The prize – fitness! Haha.
Riders who hit 200 miles were awarded with a little achievement badge, and then again at 400, and 600. I’m assuming there were more, but I didn’t get any higher. I hope very much that those who reached the top of the leaderboard with over 3,000 miles were treated to some seriously eye-candylicious achievement badges.
I ranked 4,858 out of 36,479, or in my age group, 1613 out of 13163. Which is all a bit academic, really. I got more than that out of it.
I lost a few pounds and because I’ve been riding so consistently, I feel stronger and lighter than ever. And that’s on my heavier winter bike – I’m seriously excited about using my carbon bike again when the weather improves. Thank you Strava!
It’s yet another example of how motivating the Strava platform can be, if you get into the spirit of it.
Here’s a few more comments from various tweeps:
@stravatips 358mi but 90% in sub zero °C degrees, snow & rain :D Bit disappointed that I didn’t ride hard enough for the 400 #basemileblast
— Hyde105 (@hyde105) February 1, 2013
Strava Cycling Base Mile Blast strava.com/challenges/cyc… #strava #basemileblast Really enjoyed cycling in Jan. Wouldn’t have done it otherwise
— Mark Ingham (@cyclemark135) February 1, 2013
Strava Cycling Base Mile Blast strava.com/challenges/cyc… #strava #basemileblast 600 miles so far this month …….. me likeee :)
— Jon Smith (@JonnyBlade65) January 25, 2013
@stravatips tipped 400 with 40 run and4 swum. Currently enjoying suffering on #TourofSufferlandria with @s_gresham
— Tri & Tri Again Club (@TriandTriClub) February 1, 2013
Thats 130 miles for the month. Not as many as some but more than I’ve ever run in January thanks to #Jantastic and #BaseMileBlast
— David Mayfield (@runrforlife) January 31, 2013
@stravatips 500.1 bike miles and 58 running miles… Enjoyed the challenge #strava #basemileblast
— Ange Perrott (@GoAngeNI) February 1, 2013