The story of completing a 60km bike ride

The other day, I participated in a cycling event held in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, and successfully completed 60km.

Looking back, two years ago I completed 19km at an event in Tokyo, and last year I completed 35km. And this year, 60km.

Here is the article I wrote when I completed the 19km ride two years ago ↓

Here is the article I wrote when I completed the 35km ride last year ↓

This year it is scheduled to be held on 11/23 ↓

It was a day where I could feel my own growth, little by little.

This year, having gotten used to driving long distances, I decided to take the plunge and try participating in an event outside of Tokyo.

It took about 3 hours one way to get to the venue, and at the event, I finished the 60km in about 4 hours.

On the course, there was actually an 85-year-old person on the same route 😳!!

Seeing someone continue to challenge themselves at their own pace regardless of age, I felt once again that it is never too late to take on a challenge.

It was cooler on the day than in Tokyo, and there were even moments of light rain along the way. The uphill climbs were tough, but the sense of accomplishment when I finished was exceptional.

Then the next day, I spent another 3 hours driving back to Tokyo and went straight to a dance lesson (contemporary). After the lesson, it took another hour to get home.

This is a schedule I wouldn't have even considered a few years ago.

Thanks to the exercise and lifestyle habits I've been building up little by little, I realized that my physical stamina has definitely improved.

The bicycle I used this time is a cross bike I've been riding for 15 years.

It still runs perfectly fine, but looking around the venue, almost all the other participants were on road bikes.

Recently, I've started thinking, "I'd like to try riding a road bike soon."

That said, I still have almost no knowledge about road bikes.

However, I started out knowing nothing about cars or motorcycles either.

If you learn a little bit about what interests you and keep gaining experience, it should eventually become second nature.

I intend to increase my knowledge one step at a time without rushing.

My next goal is completing 100km.

Of course, it is not an easy distance, and I still need to build up my physical strength.

Even so, looking back at the experience I have built up little by little—19km, 35km, and 60km—I have come to believe that 100km is not an unattainable goal.

Even big goals lie beyond small, steady steps.

I will continue to take on challenges at my own pace without overdoing it, and I will achieve it!!