One Week of Daily Cycling: What I Expected vs. Reality 🚲✨
A week ago, I jumped into this cycling challenge with minimal planning — just a Strava goal and a curiosity to see what would happen if I rode every day. Seven days in, I’ve learned a lot — about cycling, my body, and the unexpected factors that make or break a ride.
Some things went exactly as I thought they would. Others… not so much. 🤷♀️
Expectation: I’d Ease Into It Smoothly 😌
I figured the first few days would be about getting into a rhythm — just get on the bike, log miles, and gradually adapt.
Reality: Logistics Matter More Than I Thought 🤯
The first few days were a lesson in trial and error:
- 🚴♀️ First ride: Spin bike, no plan, no towel. Sweat everywhere.
- 🩳 Wrong clothing = chafed thighs. Painful lesson.
- ⏳ Zone 2 ride: Less intense but mentally draining. Ended up splitting the session in two just to stay engaged.
By the time I flew back to Canada, everything changed again — jet lag, freezing weather, and new bike decisions. Cycling daily wasn’t just about riding — it was about constantly adapting.
Expectation: Missing a Day Wouldn’t Be a Big Deal 🤷♀️
I assumed skipping a day or two (especially while traveling) would be no problem.
Reality: I Didn’t Want to Break the Streak 🚀
Travel was an easy excuse to skip, but I forced myself to ride the night before flying. Even a 20-minute "Minimum Viable Ride" (MVR) kept the streak alive.
✅ Lesson learned: Life doesn’t have to pause for cycling — cycling can fit into life.
Expectation: Riding Every Day Would Make Me Stronger 💪
I thought I’d feel noticeably stronger with every ride.
Reality: Progress Isn’t Linear 📉📈
Some rides felt amazing — like my first long outdoor ride in Calgary. Others? Pure struggle.
- Some days, my heart rate and pace looked great. ✅
- Other days, I was dragging bricks just to keep moving. 🧱🚴♀️
Strength isn’t just about endurance — it’s about discipline too.
Expectation: I’d Have a Clear Training Plan by Now 📅
I figured by the end of Week 1, I’d have a structured training plan.
Reality: I’m Still Figuring It Out 🤔
So far, I’ve been making it up as I go — choosing rides based on feel, throwing in structured efforts (like Zone 2), and trying to problem-solve along the way.
This first week raised more questions than answers:
❓ How long does a ride need to be to “count”?
❓ What’s the best way to deal with boredom on longer rides?
❓ How much of a ride needs to be in a target heart rate zone to be effective?
Good news? I’ve got three more weeks to figure it out. 😏
One Week Down, More to Go 🚴♀️🔥
This first week wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.
✅ Showing up matters more than having the perfect plan.
✅ Even short rides count.
✅ My relationship with cycling is evolving in real time.
Now, onto Week 2 — hopefully with fewer chafing incidents. 😅🚴♀️
