Julian Howes Century Challenge

Julian Howe who has a 100% record. He has completed a 100km ride every month since it's inception.

December 2020 - The lockdown Year

Give it a go next year, it's more difficult than you think. There are no excuses. I've tried six times and this year is my first completion. Some like Julian and I just want to complete it but there is a trophy for the rider who completes the most distance within the rules. Here is his story. Unedited.

LOOKING BACK ON 9 YEARS OF CENTURY CHALLENGE When Nick Jordan first suggested the Century Challenge back in late 2011 I’d just reduced my work hours and thought that's a good idea as it will keep me cycling throughout the year.

It didn’t occur to me at the time that 9 years on I would be starting out on my 108th consecutive monthly ride and that I would be the only person who hasn’t missed a month.

As it was the ride was enjoyable, it was cold with a bit of rain and drizzle but the views were wonderful especially with the low cloud and the light coming through and the absence of wind was a positive as well.

I’ve been fortunate that now I’ve retired I can pick my days to avoid bad conditions and I always try to get my rides in early in the month. This policy saved me in early December 2017 when my house was trashed by a gas explosion and then the weather turned bad as I’d already completed that months ride. Luckily I managed to drag a bike out of the wrecked garage for my January ride.

About four years ago I thought my luck had run out when I seriously sprained my ankle and i was amazed that after heavily strapping it up so it couldn’t rotate I was able to ride the 100km without a problem at a time when i could only walk a couple of hundred yards.

I was going to do one months ride in Sicily but I was based on top of a mountain with ravines everywhere and there was no way I could do 100km on a borrowed bike which was the wrong size. I did go out with the local club ( Nibali’s first club ) and it was that bad they had a guy with a moped to help push the slower riders up the hills! I got back to the UK with just one day left to complete that months ride.

I tend to do a similar route around the Vale of Belvoir because I like to watch the seasons change and also because of the lack of hills as I think at my age it’s not dignified to sweat, even then getting back up the ridge on the way home can be tedious.

During the rides I’ve rescued a swan which landed on the Six Hills thinking it was a river, on another occasion two calves. Earlier this year I found a black ewe on the road and after I shut her back in the field I realised she’d escaped to avoid the unwanted attentions of a particularly evil looking ram. If I close my eyes I can still recall the pitiful look on her face as I rode off leaving her to her doom.

I’ve only ever abandoned one ride which was because of a snapped chain and the only other mechanicals apart from punctures have been another snapped chain and a snapped cable both of which fortunately happened just before the Windmill Cafe so I dropped my bike off at the cycle shop and had a coffee whilst the damage was repaired I’ve had a couple of close calls including this year when a pickup truck overtook me at speed within inches of me forcing the traffic on the other side of the road into the verge.

Plus a tank slapper at about 40 mph going down a steep hill into the Vale of Belvoir when I seriously considered abandoning ship then just as I was gaining control a tractor and trailer came round the corner and I still don’t know how i missed them. When I stopped at the bottom I was soaked in sweat.

One Winter I had a courier van coming towards me which sooner than shut off went partly onto the grass verge spun its wheels and coated me in mud and turf down the back from head to foot.

Early on there was a succession of three bad Winters and I was fortunate in being able to get a ride in but I had to wrap up well and its been a while now since my water bottle have frozen up.

I always try to be polite and courteous especially as I tend to keep to minor country lanes and on most rides I get a wave or a thank you from drivers when i let them by.

Although there was the occasion when hearing a lorry coming up behind me I pulled over into a farm gateway only to find he was indicating left to turn into the very same same gateway I was now blocking so we had a good laugh Looking back there have been a lot of changes for the good in those 9 years, Leicester Forest has gone from strength to strength.

I see more riders on a weekday now than I used to see on Sundays also I very rarely saw lady riders and now they are everywhere.

There are a lot more cafes including some specifically targeted at cyclists. I like the T Junction at Harby and I once had a happy rest break there listening to a farmer explain to his lad’s how to castrate cattle I still remember subconsciously crossing my legs.

Just think if you do your first Century ride in January 2021 in 2030 you’ll be level with where I am now! Seriously though have a go.

Julian Howe