What's your goal this summer?

[bluebug32]

I want to work on my technical skills a little (not freezing up when I see big things to hop over) and also try to transfer some of the climbing power I have on the road bike over to my mountain biking. Oh, and I'm going to try my first 6 hour endurance race. :eek:

What are your goals for the season?

[Trigress]

Trying not crash too often.

[bounceswoosh]

To enjoy every ride and not beat myself up if I'm not as fast as someone else, or as I remember myself being, or if I don't do as well on technical stuff as I think I should, or even if I walk it ...

Basically just to be kind to myself =)

Also to ride tougher technical stuff more confidently, and to do it without fear. I think that will come naturally, though, when I'm treating myself with love.

Don't I sound like a new age Boulder hippy =)

[kat_h]

I'm hoping to take a few days at the start of July to ride out to the badlands east of here and explore a couple of ghost towns, an abandoned coal mine, and some not-yet-ghost towns. It will be my first little tour and on the first and last days I'll have 99 km rides with no towns, restaurants, gas stations, or stores so I need to plan a bit more than I usually do. I'll carry a tent and sleeping bag but I'll be able to buy food each day, so that cuts down on the carrying.

[atombessy]

A general goal is to increase my time in the saddle, I can mtbike for about two hours comfortably right now, I'd like to be able to spend 3 or 4 out and about. I'm also debating doing a race in August, just for the challenge and something different! I have a lot to do though to get there, even in the beginner class.

And I'd like to do the occasional half century on my poor neglected road bike as well! Working on that will help with my general endurance on the mt bike I hope.

[limewave]

To actually get out and ride the trails a few times!

Last year I had mntn biked five or six times already. I haven't even had the time to think about it yet. It's depressing.

[teawoman]

A general goal is to increase my time in the saddle, I can mtbike for about two hours comfortably right now, I'd like to be able to spend 3 or 4 out and about.

Me too. Only on road bike.

[bluebug32]

A general goal is to increase my time in the saddle, I can mtbike for about two hours comfortably right now, I'd like to be able to spend 3 or 4 out and about. I'm also debating doing a race in August, just for the challenge and something different! I have a lot to do though to get there, even in the beginner class.

And I'd like to do the occasional half century on my poor neglected road bike as well! Working on that will help with my general endurance on the mt bike I hope.

I did a race after my first season of mtbing a couple of years ago. It's a great way to gauge where you're at and what you need to work on...oh, and if you like racing. It really forces you to push with everything you have. I was surprised. Going into it, I thought I would finish last or near to last. I rode hard, even crashed once, and came in 6th! It taught me that short endurance races aren't necessarily my cup of tea right now, but that I was a better mtber than I thought.

I've also just started road biking this season and I feel stronger on the mtb already! Especially climbing and endurance-wise.

Good luck to you!

[bounceswoosh]

I did a race after my first season of mtbing a couple of years ago. It's a great way to gauge where you're at and what you need to work on...oh, and if you like racing. It really forces you to push with everything you have. I was surprised. Going into it, I thought I would finish last or near to last. I rode hard, even crashed once, and came in 6th! It taught me that short endurance races aren't necessarily my cup of tea right now, but that I was a better mtber than I thought.

I've also just started road biking this season and I feel stronger on the mtb already! Especially climbing and endurance-wise.

Good luck to you!

Agreed -- I did one mtb race a couple of years ago. Came in dead last, but my bike skills improved monumentally after the race (for which I had done a fair amount of pre-riding of the course), and I was much more likely to keep riding than to stop half way up a tiring hill.

I did figure out that mtb races may not be my cup of tea -- a lot of people were faster than me by picking up their bikes and running over the technical or steep stuff. I'd much rather go slow but actually clear, or at least attempt everything. Even though I finished last, I did ride the entire length of the initial climb, whereas many faster people got off their bikes. And for my personal goals, I liked that I did that.

I find the whole dynamic of passing / allowing people to pass weird in racing. I guess if I really wanted to start racing, I would have to figure that out.

[atombessy]

thanks for the encouragement! I'm sure if I actually decide to go ahead with it I'll be full of questions for the board....

I'm encouraged by the running over obstacles scene that you encountered bounces, I'm normally rushing to keep up with people, so I've definitely gotten in the habit of hike a bike over something if I fall or slip....i guess that could work to my advantage in a race...

[Grog]

Discover new routes around the Vancouver area!

[alpinerabbit]

Go and test some MTBs and decide what I should buy. Then actually buy one come fall....:D:D:D

[7rider]

What are your goals for the season?

To do more Ride Like A Girl (http://www.ridelikeagirl.org/) group rides with the folks from the Mid-Atlantic Offroad Enthusiasts: MORE (http://www.more-mtb.org). I did 2 or 3 rides last year and have done one (on-gravel) this year. I'd like to expand my horizons and venture to new locations, too.
(Related: to actually JOIN MORE - it's membership supported, and they've been sooo good and do so much good for trail advocacy that I really should pony up and support them with my wallet.)

To ride Rosaryville on a singlespeed. It's a hoot on my dualie. The bike sticks to the looping, swooping singletrack like it's on rails. But I'd love to try a rigid singlespeed, and this non-technical place would be the ideal spot to try.

[sundial]

I want to ride over a log. :) And then I want to get a full suspension bike so that my joints don't tattle on me.

[teawoman]

To enjoy every ride and not beat myself up if I'm not as fast as someone else, or as I remember myself being, or if I don't do as well on technical stuff as I think I should, or even if I walk it ...

Basically just to be kind to myself =)

Also to ride tougher technical stuff more confidently, and to do it without fear. I think that will come naturally, though, when I'm treating myself with love.

Don't I sound like a new age Boulder hippy =)

Nope, I love it. Very good to think about. :cool:

[MALcontent]

My first goal is to ride in my first mountain bike race this year. My second goal is to not finish last! :o

[dirtygirl1]

I love these kinds of discussions ... it inspires me to see everyone's goals for the year and gets me pumped for more riding!!

I have two types of goals: racing and riding

For racing I want to keep my title at Spokane 24 hr Solo and place in the top 5 at 24 hr World Solos. The second one is going to be tough as there will (as usual) be loads of pros out who ride and race full time ... but it's fun to play with the big girls.

For riding I want to increase the speed at which I ride over technical stuff. I want to speed up before big scary drops and big logs; instead of slowing down (which actually makes it harder even though it makes me feel better - ha!). I also want to get out on my DH bike more often

Thirdly I want to meet some riding ladies in my area (seattle) ...

Whew. Aren't I expecting a lot from this season :D

Happy Trails

[bounceswoosh]

For riding I want to increase the speed at which I ride over technical stuff. I want to speed up before big scary drops and big logs; instead of slowing down (which actually makes it harder even though it makes me feel better - ha!).

Amen!

I had an icky fall right after my car accident last year (silly me; I really wasn't in any condition to be riding) where I slowed down so much before a little rock lip and then drop that the lip stopped my front wheel and my bike flipped over on top of me. If I'd just been rolling at a reasonable speed, it would've been nothing (and I've ridden that spot so many times .. and if you saw it you'd probably laugh at how such a tiny bump could cause so much trauma).

[rocknrollgirl]

My goals have changed post injury. I am on a team so I have to race. My goal is now to 'finish with dignity", and have fun...don't forget the fun.

[jayjay]

Me too. Only on road bike. Me too, on all three bikes : commuter, road , and trail. :D

Riding 3x a week now.... revvin' it up.

[makbike]

Ride and have fun! After the summer I had last year I simply want to relax, recover from a hard school year and ride, ride, and ride some more. I would like to log at least 1,800 miles for June and July.

[Crankin]

To actually ride my mountain bike more than the one time I did last year. I love being in the woods, but I have waaay too much fear of the technical stuff. It is humbling. I'd like to be able to climb and descend without walking so much.
And find some more trails that are a nice mix of some technical stuff with flatter stuff.

[RoadRaven]

Well... winter has just begun over here now... so while I watch and envy your summer cycling and goals, my goal is to get in at least 4 rides a week on the road - even if they are short ones.
I'll be aiming for 100km/week on the road... although I think I will have to resort to the spin bike a bit instad.

[sundial]

RoadRaven, I think you should get a mtb. :D

[RoadRaven]

I have a mountain bike... it needs to have loads of lights, methinks or I'll slip in the cow poo in the front paddock!
:D:):D

[SheFly]

Sundial - what Raven really needs is a 'cross bike :D:D:D.

SheFly

[ima_bleeder]

My overriding goal this year is to get huge gains in bike fitness until we hit the holidays, so that when I have to spend the next six months working/studying 65 hours/week I have some shred of bike fitness to maintain, and regain when that horrible study season is over.

But I'm a pretty lazy person. So I set a couple of intermediate goals to keep me motivated. The first is coming up in a month: the Test of Endurance. A local 50 mile mountain bike race with about 7,000 feet of climbing. Now that it's getting close I'm completely freaked out. :eek: I've managed to get a bit of coaching now, at the last minute, and I'm hoping it'll help. I just want to finish.

After the mountain bike season ... I'm going to race 'cross. That should be freakin' hi-larious. I'm going to need to start practicing mounting and dismounting the day after the Test. It aint gonna be pretty. :rolleyes:

[ima_bleeder]

For racing I want to keep my title at Spokane 24 hr Solo and place in the top 5 at 24 hr World Solos. The second one is going to be tough as there will (as usual) be loads of pros out who ride and race full time ... but it's fun to play with the big girls.


It looks like maybe you were a 'local' last year. I see from your blog that three of your races last year are three of mine this year (TOE50 ... my big goal; and Horning's and Mudslinger, two that I've done this year.)

I wish I'd gotten into mountain biking earlier. I'm racing 40+ now, and just beginning to get my bike fitness. I'd be happy right now to bridge the gap from Beginner to Sport. But the 24 hour races sound like such an accomplishment. Good luck with your racing this year!

[RoadRaven]

Sundial - what Raven really needs is a 'cross bike :D:D:D.

SheFly

SheFly... can you have a word with my partner please? My birthday is approaching fast.... :p

[MALcontent]

Crankin, you should totally ride at Great Brook either Thursday nights at 5:30 or 6:00 (women only, leaving from the paved parking lot) or Fridays at 6 (skills). Here's more info on the latter: http://www.nemba.org/forums/showthread.php?p=158805#post158805

[CarbonCandy]

Love mountain biking.

I like it, but I don't love it. Right now I much rather go put 40 miles on my road bike than hit the dirt. It's a work it progress, and it will help once I pick up a mtb that fits me! I work in a shop so there really is no excuse :p

[redrhodie]

I'd like to learn how to bunny hop my bike up a curb. I could do it as a kid, but haven't tried since then, and never on a road bike. It's a good skill to have for emergencies. Good thing my new bike is steel!