I’ve never been one for setting New Year’s resolutions and sticking to them. This January, I spent time figuring out what I can do to improve my health. I’m in my early forties, and according to the NHS BMI calculator, I fall in the “obese” category. It sounds cheesy, but I’ve always been inspired by people who achieve their greatest fitness later in life - and I’d like to try the same.
I love cycling, but I haven’t ridden consistently in a number of years due to a variety of reasons. I’ve wanted to train for a 100-mile ride for years, but never managed it. This September 2026, I’m going to do it.
A ride of this distance feels ambitious, but achievable with consistent training. I want to challenge myself physically and mentally without going overboard, but mostly I want to enjoy the process — the rides, the scenery, and tracking progress over time.
My current fitness level is low but not zero, and my riding habits have lapsed over the last year. I feel like I’m starting from scratch — and that’s OK. In terms of equipment, I’m ready to go with my Orro Terra G gravel bike.
Over the next seven months, I’ll build up slowly, aiming for two to four rides a week, gradually increasing distance, elevation, and endurance. Success for me is completing a 100-mile cycle in September feeling strong — not destroyed. To help structure this journey, I’ve even turned to AI: using ChatGPT, I generated a detailed week-by-week cycling plan tailored to my goals, experience, and schedule.
At the end of each month, I’ll post updates documenting my rides, progress, and any lessons learned. This will be a transparent blog — you’ll hear about the good days, the bad days, and everything in between.
I’ve invited my friend Kris to join me on the journey, which should make it even more enjoyable. Whether it’s sunny, rainy, or somewhere in between, the journey to 100 miles starts now. I’ll be riding, learning, and sharing along the way.
If you’d like to follow along, you can check my rides on Strava:
🔗 Link: Chris Bryson’s Strava Profile