Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
You may have noticed that at the bottom of every Tech Talk there’s a little note that reads, “Ride total: X,XXX,” where the Xs are replaced with a number. Today’s number is 9,164. If you divide today’s number by 365, you will see that 9,164 daily consecutive rides equals a little over 25 years.
I thought I’d make an official announcement here about my cycling streak hitting the 25-year mark because it’s a big deal to me (it actually happened on December 29). Putting it in the big lights on RoadBikeRider is a way to officially record it. I’ve written about it a couple of times in past Tech Talks, too.
Here’s the most recent article, back when I had 21 years and 5 months under my wheels. I explain more about how I started streaking and what keeps me going.
Another reason I’m telling you about reaching the goal is because I’ve received a lot of support from you readers and from the coaches that write for RoadBikeRider. Many of you have sent words of encouragement, provided injury recovery tips, and a few have told me I was nuts – which I completely understand. One emailer even recommended I see a psychiatrist – advice I didn’t take.
You see, I have always respected what’s known as “streak athletes,” those who decide to see how many consecutive days in a row they can do some sport. I was introduced to the concept as a high school cross-country runner. Back then, I never strung together more than a couple of weeks of runs.
Still the idea stuck with me and I got a real taste in 1990, knocking out 1,000 consecutive days before a crash caused by black ice took me out of commission. It only steeled my resolve though, and my next streak is the one that continues to this day.
Watch the Streak TV Show
To share a lot more of what’s required to be a streaker, here’s a TV show about three streak athletes including yours truly at the 17-year mark. Each segment is about eight minutes long. I’m first, then runner Jim Covert and lastly surfer Dale Webster.
When the videographer contacted me about being on the show and he described what the other two guys had accomplished, I tried to talk them into finding someone else to take my place. I think you’ll agree that riding every day looks easy compared to their chosen streaks! Be sure to watch their stories and you’ll see what I mean.
Thanks again for your kind words of support that helped me keep going these 25 years (if I live to 100, it will represent 25% of my life!). Right now I plan to keep the streak going, but I don’t know if I’m ready to target the next big number, which is 10,000 days – that seems like a long ways off!
If you’re interested in streaks, I cover a couple of other amazing ones on my personal bike website here. And since it’s one of the most asked questions, I’ll finish with the answer: As far as I have been able to determine, there is no Guinness World Record for consecutive days cycling. However, there is an organization that tracks running streaks.
Ride total: 9,164
Congratulations, Jimbo! 25 years is a truly amazing accomplishment, but it’s not surprising from a guy who is so dedicated to everything that’s important in his life, led by family and profession.
I’m proud to have known you and worked with you for even longer than The Streak. It’s a world-class accomplishment by a world-class person. Enjoy No. 9,165 today!
Thanks, Ed! I can’t tell you how many times over the years when I’ve been considering ending the streak, I’ve thought of your incredible riding achievements for motivation to keep me going. I clearly remember driving the support van for you and Fred, Pete and Skip during the Furnace Creek 508 mile team race. It was the middle of the night crossing Death Valley and I watched you hammer out 20mph + straight through the night Merckx-like against a gale force crosswind that had you leaning over impossibly far just to stay straight. The wind was so strong it was blowing sand right into my eyes through the van’s rolled up window. You never skipped a beat.
So, thank YOU, Ed for all the inspiration. I couldn’t have kept the streak going without you,
Jimbo
Congratulations, Jim. Amazing record! Out here in the midwest (current temp -20) all streaks are being maintained indoors.
Thanks Chris! Appreciate the kind words.. I have the utmost respect for all cyclists who brave those brutal conditions! And riding indoors is aok with me. In some ways it’s tougher than riding outside as I’m sure you know full well. Thanks again and I hope the weather warms up for you soon.
Jim
Congratulations, Jim!
I’ve admired and respected your Streak for years, and been amazed to watch it reach the Stratosphere. We’re all dedicated to road cycling in different ways and to varying degrees — but I know of no one more holistically dedicated than you. I must admit that I’ve been in the thought-you-were-crazy camp on occasion, but that in no way diminishes my great respect for you and The Streak. You’re one of the greatest!
Thanks, John! I totally agree about how all of us become dedicated to cycling in different and wonderful ways – it’s what makes our sport so rich and satisfying. It’s a beautiful thing really, a sport that just keeps giving back. I hope to make it out your way sometime in the not too distant future and ride with you!
Thanks again,
Jim
Simply amazing! Congrats Jim!
Thank you, Brandon!
Congrats, Jim!! Amazing!!
What I think would be great to hear about is info on how you kept going, even through injuries, illness, etc. I am interested in these kind of logistics. You know, what you learned along the way on how to stay on the bike during the tough times and consequences/experiences of doing so during these times. Sometimes I hesitate to ride in such circumstances and feel it a bummer to be off the bike so would be good to know how to keep going.
Appreciate your nice words, Michael. You’re asking excellent questions about how to keep a streak going – or ways to ride more or to get past obstacles. I have many “tricks” I’ve come up with over the years. Let me think about this and maybe I can write a future article on the subject that will interest and help you and others. It’s a good idea. Thank you.
Jim
I cannot even find anything I did for 10000 days in a row (not eating, sleeping, washing, etc) ! …
Amazing feat of discipline and dedication !
Thank you, Pierre! It helps to be very stubborn, too 😉
Congrats Jim. Just WOW!!!!
Thanks, Sheri!
Jim, I’m super impressed! You’ve kept your streak going since we worked together at Bicycling Magazine—a long time and a lot of miles. Keep it going—10K is just around the corner!
It was working with you and Ed at Bicycling that got me going on this streak thing in the first place, Fred, so I will always be in debt to you guys for lighting the fuse that just keeps burning. Like my story above about driving the team van in that Furnace Creek race for your team, I often think about your lifelong commitment to cycling, Fred and it fires me up to climb back on every day. One little detail that amazes me is that you wrote down every workout you ever did in training diaries going back decades – and maybe even better that you said you can open to any page, read about a ride 20 or 30 years ago and remember that specific ride as clearly as if you just rode it.. That’s so cool. I’ll do what you say and see if I can hit that 10K mark. Thanks for the push all these years, Fred!
Jim
Jim – congratulations! 25 years is a long long time, and an hour a day of exercise is unbelievable in itself. But doing that exercise outside In any weather and state of health and requiring a machine, shoes, helmet and all the rest is a logistical and planning miracle. I think you’re going to be really happy at 80 years old
Great to hear from you again, Roy! I hope you’re having some exciting new adventures and writing about something incredible. Thanks for the nice words and thanks again for mentioning me in your Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100 and Beyond book https://amzn.to/2CZQlTH I’m trying to live up to the book’s promise!
Keep streaking; the only thing I wished you would have expanded on is, what is the streak, I know it is days but what does each “streak” consist of (miles, time, etc)?
Hi Charles, the streak is based on a pledge I made to myself to ride every day. A ride has to be an hour and it has to be what I consider a “real” ride. So, for example, riding to the store and back is not a ride that would count toward the streak. I have to get into riding gear and actually ride. The ride can be outside or inside on a trainer. I don’t have to ride any certain distance or pace. It’s also fine to ride road, gravel, mountain bikes, etc. but it has to be what I consider a “real” ride for it to count. Otherwise, I don’t count that ride and have to ride another ride that day to keep the streak going.
Thanks for the question!
Jim
Well done!
Appreciate the kind words, Bruce. Thank you.
Jim when I say that is one tremendous event andundertaking, the endurance to get psyched and out every day is off the scale, keep up the great work 😊
Thank you, Lou!
Absolutely astounding and a role model for us all. As said in the Navy, “Bravo Zulu”!!
Thank you, Charlie. That’s a cool Navy saying. Thanks for sharing it.
Hard to imagine that you have stayed healthy enough to do the minimum 1 hour every day for 25 years.
You were even able to keep it going while crewing for our 1995 Team Bicycling Furnace Creek 508 race. You had to complete one of those days riding on a trainer in my basement. That was the first time I learned the term “streaking” in a good and wholesome G rated way.
An awesome achievement!
Thanks so much, Pete – crewing for you guys was one of the highlights of my career. And climbing on that trainer was nothing compared to what you guys did in that Furnace Creek race just crushing it for 508 miles straight through the night. I was exhausted and all I did is drive the van. It’s nice to hear from you.
Jim
Strava data or it didn’t happen!
Just kidding, congratulations.