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Guy On A Bike: 30 Days Of Biking

If you're on social media, chances are you've seen a friend or connection post something about 30 Days of Biking recently.

The idea, which spawned right here in Minnesota in 2010, is to get people to pledge to ride a bicycle every single day during the month of April. Whether you're a daily bicycle commuter, Cyclo-cross junkie or even a non-cyclist, you are invited to take the pledge.

It doesn't matter if you ride around the block or mash the pedals for 100 miles, as long as you get some riding in every day. Maybe you're already a daily cyclist? Great. Take the pledge. Or perhaps you haven't had your bicycle out of the garage yet this year? No problem. Air up your tires, lube your chain and take the pledge. As Events Coordinator Mario Macaruso recently explained to WCCO: "We encourage people to just get on their bicycles and challenge themselves to do it, 30 days in a row and see, at the end of the month, how it affects them."

30DaysLogo
(credit: 30 Days of Biking)

To get riders from the Minneapolis area in the spirit, 30 Days of Biking held a kickoff ride on Sunday. Despite the rain, nearly 300 cyclists of all abilities participated as a prelude to the pledge month. The family-friendly event is a testament to the accessibility of cycling for people from all walks of life.  Other rides are planned throughout the month, allowing cyclists to connect with like-minded individuals who've also taken then pledge to ride for 30 consecutive days.

Thanks to its many sponsors, the 30 Days of Biking challenge also has a charitable component. For every 30 individuals who take the pledge, one bicycle will be donated to Free Bikes 4 Kidz, which has refurbished and distributed thousands of bikes to deserving children in recent years.

As of this writing, more than 5,300 people have pledged to get in the saddle every day in April. From Alexei Shinkevich in Minsk to Amy Brugh in Minneapolis, this is quickly becoming a global phenomenon. Local 30 Days of Biking chapters are popping up all over the U.S.

If you'd like to take the pledge simply sign up here.

Cyclists are encouraged to share their experiences on Twitter using the hashtag #30daysofbiking.

And if something comes up and you miss a day, simply get back on your bike the following day. It could change your life.

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