What Is the Real Streak?

Great question.

You may want to take notes, because once you tell people what you’re doing, you’re going to hear it a lot:

“Wait… you’re riding your bike every single day for an entire year?”

Yes.

Thirty minutes or more. Every day. For 365 days.

Rain, snow, sunshine, work deadlines, family responsibilities, travel, holidays, tired legs and those occasional mornings when your bicycle looks significantly less appealing than your couch.

That is #TheRealStreak.

It Starts With One Ride

The Real Streak began with a simple idea:

What would happen if we committed to riding our bikes every day for one full year?

Not to see who could ride the farthest.

Not to see who could produce the most power.

Not to crown one person the winner.

The challenge was to make movement a daily habit, follow through on a meaningful commitment and support one another through everything life placed in the way.

One ride became ten.

Ten became 100.

Then 200.

Then 300.

Eventually, an incredible group of riders reached 365 consecutive days and earned their place in the Real Streak Hall of Fame.

Along the way, the challenge became about much more than bicycles.

You Have a Story to Tell

When people ask why you are riding every day, tell them.

Tell them you are promoting physical health, mental well-being and the value of making time for yourself.

Tell them you want to inspire someone to put down their phone, step away from the television and move their body.

Tell them you are riding for people who cannot ride right now—but would accept this challenge in a heartbeat if they could.

Tell them about the everyday heroes who quietly make their families, workplaces and communities better.

Tell them you are riding to prove that ordinary daily actions can create extraordinary change.

You may be surprised by the encouragement, support and gratitude you receive during your year.

We won’t be surprised.

You will have earned every bit of it.

Riding for the Real Hero Project

The Real Streak also helps create awareness for the Real Hero Project.

The project recognizes the wonderful, often-unsung heroes within our communities while helping children in need gain access to bicycles, helmets and cycling equipment.

You can dedicate your daily rides to the people whose kindness, courage and generosity inspire you.

Some heroes wear uniforms.

Some are parents, teachers, coaches, healthcare workers, volunteers, neighbours or friends.

Most never ask to be recognized.

Ride for them.

Share their stories.

Let them know that what they do matters.

The Real Challenge

Riding for 30 minutes sounds easy—until you have to do it every day.

The Real Streak has to coexist with your work, family, responsibilities, travel, stress, bad weather, mechanical problems, injuries, illnesses and an impressive collection of excuses your brain will invent along the way.

That is where the magic lives.

The challenge is not about being perfect. It is about learning how to adapt, plan ahead and honour a promise you made to yourself.

Some rides will be unforgettable adventures.

Some will be sweaty indoor sessions completed at 11:30 p.m.

Both count.

The hardest part is usually getting started. Once you are on the bike, you will almost always be glad you made it happen.

Think You Can Do It?

There is only one honest way to find out.

Pick a day.

Ride for at least 30 minutes.

Wake up tomorrow and do it again.

You do not need to be an elite athlete. You do not need expensive equipment, enormous weekly mileage or a perfectly organized life.

You need a working bicycle, 30 minutes and a willingness to keep showing up.

Do not spend too much time worrying about Day 200.

Take care of Day 1.

Then earn Day 2.

Rules and Guidelines

1. Ride for at Least 30 Minutes

Complete a minimum of 30 minutes on your bicycle every day to keep your streak alive.

2. Provide Proof of Your Ride

Record each ride using a GPS file, power data, heart-rate data, a photograph of your ride file or another legitimate form of ride verification.

3. The Mulligan

Every rider receives one free pass during the entire year.

One.

Use it wisely. Protect it like the last clean cycling kit in your drawer.

4. The Challenge Ends at 365 Days

The official Real Streak ends when you reach 365 consecutive days.

No extensions. No bonus semesters. No turning it into a mysterious 427-day lifestyle experiment.

Reach 365 and celebrate what you accomplished.

5. Share the Journey

Tag @realdealcoaching and use #RealDealCoaching and #TheRealStreak on your ride files and social-media posts.

Share the good rides, the difficult rides, the ridiculous late-night rides and the days when getting on the bike felt like a victory all by itself.

Your story may be exactly what someone else needs to see.

6. This Is a Collective Accomplishment

The Real Streak is not a competition against the other participants.

You are not trying to beat anyone.

You are trying to help everyone reach Day 365.

Encourage one another, celebrate milestones and check on someone when their ride has not appeared.

7. When in Doubt…

Ask yourself:

What would the Real Hero do?

Then get on your bike.

The Real Streak Hall of Fame

These athletes officially completed the Real Streak by riding their bicycles every day for an entire year.

365 days in a row.

No small accomplishment—and no shortage of laundry.

Mitch Diem
Ed Veal
Brian Cowie
Robert Hengel
Robert Pearson
James Taylor
Ralph Schatzmair
Merv Veal
Rolston Miller
Judy Veal
Evi Harron
Kian Jalili

Are You Next?

The Hall of Fame has room for another name.

Maybe it is yours.

You do not have to wait for January 1. You do not need a new bike, a perfect training plan or permission from anyone.

You only need to begin.

Thirty minutes. One bicycle. One day at a time.