2024 Bike Challenges: Will I Make It Out Alive?

2024 Bike Challenges: Will I Make It Out Alive?
Embark on a challenging journey with me as we delve into Michael Easter's concept of Misogi’s from his book "The Comfort Crisis." In a world drowning in constant comfort, Easter suggests embracing discomfort through Misogi adventures to reset our thresholds and appreciate life. Join me in these challenges where two rules reign supreme: 1. Make it really hard, and 2. Don't die!
February Challenge: Brecon Beacons/Cambrian Mountains
Returning to the rugged terrains of the Beacons and Cambrian Mountains, this adventure is about pushing boundaries. Facing the elements, loneliness, and the fear of the unknown, I'll ride through challenging routes, seeking measurable goals to elevate the experience. Leave your suggestions for measurable challenges in the comments!
April Challenge: Bikepacking - GB Divide Stages 3 & 4
Venturing into the world of bikepacking, I'll skip the conventional prep and embark on a journey from Barnstaple to Bridgewater, tackling expert gravel rider routes with unknown challenges. Sleeping near Bridgewater, the adventure continues through stage 4, culminating in an off-road odyssey over the Mendips. Brace yourselves for the unexpected!
June Challenge: 400km Solo Ride
A revisited challenge from last year, this time I'll push the boundaries further by attempting an unsupported and solo 400km ride around the longest day of the year. Overcoming the mental hurdles that thwarted me before, I'll journey north, loop through Monmouth, down the Wye Valley, and back, with the ultimate goal of conquering the distance.
🤔 Which Challenge Will I Conquer? Predict in the Comments!
Join me on these uncharted adventures, predict which challenge I might conquer, and share your insights on my Cambrian Mountains trip. Your engagement fuels the growth of our community, inspiring more videos to help us piece together a better life for ourselves and our families.
👇 Leave Your Thoughts Below!
Comment your predictions, suggestions, or any tips to make these challenges even more exciting. Your support drives the growth of the channel, allowing us to create more content to navigate life's puzzles together.
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[@irondistance4313]

Love the challenges, can’t wait to see them. I’m in the business of sorting a gravel bike as we speak and thinking about a challenge like that. You got the 400 I know your DS will be looking down on you and you will succeed all three my friend. ❤

[@1stElement]

Ah that’s a really lovely thing to say man - thank you on all fronts - I’m sure he’s encouraging me too!

[@thedoginside]

Mmmmm, sounds good, look forward to watching this all come together. Most of all though remember no.2 - DON'T DIE 😉

[@1stElement]

Hahaha - I’ll do my best - I promise you I’ll never die…

[@hamishbolton9058]

Exciting plans for this year. Good luck with them. I’m sure you’ll succeed in all of them. For the mountains challenge you could do it without GPS, maps and compass only (old school). To make it harder you could ask someone to geocache some things on your planned route, giving only OS references and some guidance on location. Cached items could be things that’ll help you or motivate you (or Scrabble tiles that spell out a word if you get them all, or the name of your final location where family/friends could be waiting). It’s more effort to get set up, but could add to the fun/challenge. I hope the weather is kinder to you this year.

[@1stElement]

Ah now there's another great idea - that's really got the brain ticking over!! Thanks for the suggestions and thanks for the comment Hamish!!

[@mikep1212]

Great video. I think this year you'll complete them all. Best of luck.

[@1stElement]

Thanks Mike… well here’s hoping! I just need to work out what the ‘challenge’ of Brecon/Cambrian Mountains is…

[@daverostron]

Happy new year mate! I reckon you've got all of those in the bag tbh. I think that 400 last year was just a matter wrong timing for you to be doing it with everything you had going on. You are looking great and gritfest last year showed that you are deffo an off-road rider. Have a brilliant time doing them and I'll look forward to watching them! 👍👍

[@1stElement]

Thanks so much mate - I have always been so thankful for your support and the knowledge you’ve shared with me!! We need to get out in the bike again..!!

[@chrisnewman6649]

Maybe something like hours spent outside and some sort of ratio in comparison to a standard day, targeted low screen time so you know you’ve properly escaped into the wilderness. Stuff that shows you’ve stepped outside of your norm

[@1stElement]

Oh yes mate - trust you to come up with some really good ideas for this. I really like the screen time one - easily done too - there’s zero signal so… love this. Thanks duder!!

[@GogglesTyresandTrainers]

Awesome! Looking forward to seeing you work through these over 2024. I did a short bike packing trip with my lad, it was ace!

[@1stElement]

Thanks mate! Got any bike packing tips..?!

[@GogglesTyresandTrainers]

@@1stElement nah.. we were totally unprepared, shared a one man tent, had a small stove, camped in the FOD on the same night an illegal rave was going on😂 all added to the fun

[@1stElement]

Hahahaha - ok, yeah - perhaps leave the tips for now..!!

[@RunSensible]

Great vid and those sound like amazing challenges. I'd love to do a bike backpack trip too but it'll be 2025 for me. Keep the great vids coming.

[@1stElement]

Thank you! Yep - it’s about time I actually used the kit I researched and bought, isn’t it..?! 2025 has a ring to it - what are your plans?

[@RunSensible]

@@1stElement after 2 years of poor health due to a stomach infection picked up in a triathlon swim I owe it to myself to go for my ultimate goal - running a sub 3hr marathon. I know I can do it I just need to get out of my own way and get it done. Once that's done I'll get back on the bike and tick off a few challenges like the 312km event in Mallorca.