Goals for 2005?

[SnappyPix]

What are everyone's goals for this year?
Mine are to complete a century in May. My training is being hindered by a combination of bad weather (snow/ice) and time - I'm moving to New Zealand in June and there's so much to do - organising shipping, making sure my bike gets there intact and is instantly good to go , and getting rid of a lifetime of hoarding!
I planned to do a 50 miler last weekend, but was scuppered by the weather.

So, what's driving your pedals for this year? Is it time trials, touring, races, or just to simply get out more - and are you on track for achieving them?

[nuthatch]

WOW! Moving to New Zealand sounds like enough of a goal for the year! What a wonderful place to live..

I'm going to go for the MS 150 (75 miles each day). I've never gone over 50 in a day so training is ongoing this spring. I'd also LOVE to do some self-contained overnight trips (with my ultimate goal being running away from home some day ). I sure hope to up my total miles this year and I'd like to find a cycling buddy for those Sunday rides - my guy is a paddler so he's in the water on Sundays.

Thanks for starting this thread, Snappy - it makes me believe spring may really get here!

[MightyMitre]

Hi SnappyPix - so, finally had enough of good old Blighty eh! Don't blame you -N.Z land looks stunning .I also worked with a few Kiwi's last year and they're very laid back and friendly.

Goals for this year... well, Tour of Flanders randonnee again in April. Was aiming for the 90 miler, but picked up a back injury in December so will probably just do the 45 miler instead.

Would like to improve on some of my TT times from last year. Didn't do very many but most of them were Sporting courses rather than the drag strip kind and are good fun.

Will probably do a couple of short Gran Fondo's in Italy but I think my main goal is quite simple - Ride More!

Good Luck with your century training and the move.

[Veronica]

My goals are to put more miles on my bikes per month than I did last year. And to ride up Mount Diablo twice a month.

So far I'm on track. I need 18 more miles this month - easy to do since I commute. And the mountain has been done.

March and April are going to be harder for me mileage wise. I need to do at least 399 mles in March and 373 in April to best last year.

V.

[DeniseGoldberg]

My goals for the year are to return to my normal fitness levels and to touring - both derailed last year after my flip over the handlebars in late May. When springtime finally rolls around I hope to get back to commuting to work by bike 2 or 3 days a week. And although I don't have solid plans yet, I want to do at least 2 solo tours this year. It's likely they will be short - one a long weekend and one somewhere between 1 & 2 weeks. Right now I'm leaning towards dusting off my unused 2004 plans for a long weekend tour in Nova Scotia and a week tour in the Canadian Rockies. Of course there's still plenty of time for me to dream up something completely different. So far I think I'm on track on the fitness front, doing my normal winter indoor exercise supplemented by (fast) walking outside to keep me sane and by riding outside on the weekends when the weather cooperates. (Yes, I'm a baby - can't seem to get myself out on the bike when it's really really cold or when the roads are a mess of salt and snow.)

My hopes are for 2005 to be a great biking year.

[SnappyPix]

Hi SnappyPix - so, finally had enough of good old Blighty eh!

Sort of, it's only a temporary move - 18 months, so some of my babies are going into storage, but taking my road bike with me.

The North-East of England isn't necesarily conducive to cycling, one continuous season (windy, cold, windy, rainy, windy, wet) (did I mention windy?!). Be nice to have a bit of a change. V.jealous of your southern balmy summers!

Spring IS just around the corner, it must be, surely to God!

Good luck to everyone in all their aspirations - looking forward to hearing about them!

[SnappyPix]

...And although I don't have solid plans yet, I want to do at least 2 solo tours this year. It's likely they will be short - one a long weekend and one somewhere between 1 & 2 weeks.

Wow! Hats off to a woman who considers a solo tour of 1-2 weeks a short one! Wish I had the guts! Too much of a wimp to go very far on my own. Good on yer!

Hope that both yourself and Mighty make miraculously speedy recoveries this year - injuries are the curse of the devil! I work with a triathlete who frequently injures himself from over-training (gave himself a nasty sprain on Monday on the ice, so is like a bear with a sore head this week). People who don't train/cycle/exercise don't understand the frustration and think the injured party should enjoy the rest!

[mommelisa]

Hi, I'm a lurker, but I thought I'd post my goals, too. That way they're in writing and I can't go back on them, right?

I'm a new convert to cycling, but I love it. Its just all the STUFF that is associated with it that makes me nervous Coming from a running background where all you need is clothes and a pair of shoes, getting into cycling has been a complete education for me!

This year my plans are to do a couple Olympic distance triathlons. The first in Rocky Point, MX at the end of May, one in Las Vegas in August, and maybe a couple of others if I can find some in my area. In September, I'm running a marathon in France, and then hopefully, hopefully (fingers crossed, toes crossed) if my training goes well, an IM distance triathlon next year.

[MomOnBike]

This year I hope to "ride the year." That is, put 2005 (or more) miles on the bike. Icky weather makes for a slow start, but I'm pretty much on track. If I manage it, this may become one of my traditions.

I'd also like to take a multi-day mini-tour with my husband. I have a lifetime of potential tours in mind, it's just a matter of finding time - and negotiating which tour with DH. I'm also toying with the idea of a solo overnighter - or two.

Closer to home, I want to get up to the opposite corner of the city. Not that there's anything there but an airport, but I've never biked up there and, well, it's there. I've said I'm going for years now, this is the year.

All the above is in preparation for the Vancouver to Key West tour I'm dreaming of. Not this year, but eventually...

[Melody]

My goals are to lose more weight and generally get more healthy. Unfortunately I have numerous health issues (even had a stroke just before my 28th birthday) so any exercise is good for me. Cycling, however, is _fun_ exercise so I'm most likely to keep it up.

Besides, with my truck being weird, I'm commuting to work Nice constant daily exercise.

Other than that, to ride lots with my hubby and by the end of the year, do 100 miles in a day (just not all at once )

Mel

[Jo-n-NY]

What a great idea for a thread.

My goal also is to ride at least one century. I have continued to train on my trainer as not to have an "off season". I also would like my dh and I to take a mini multi-day tour. Like many of you, just have to juggle everyday life to fit in the cycling time. The light at the end of the tunnel is I don't have to put on my headlights coming home from work. Spring is coming!!!

[jobob]

So if I advertise it, I have greater incentive to do it, right?

That's the idea.

My first big goal for this year is to start commuting to & from work, a couple of days a week for starters. It's 15 miles each way, eminently do-able. I've run out of excuses so I promised myself I would start next Tuesday, March 1st. Have to admit I'm kind of nervous about the concept of competing with harried distracted commuters for road space. Wish me luck!

I have all sorts of fun rides planned for this year, including my first (imperial) century at Bike Around the Buttes on April 16. Then there's the Top Hat [hey cruziegirl, come join us!!] where I plan/hope/pray to do the 75 mile. Apart from that, I'd like to get better at climbing hills - I'm really starting to enjoy them in a perverse sort of way, although I'd just as soon go a bit quicker than my current snail's pace - and if the planets line up, maybe even do a 200K before years end.

[snapdragen]

Broker world peace
Colonize the moon
A chicken in every pot



Seriously - I'm taking baby steps this year, as last year's lofty goals crashed and burned.

Cinderella
TopHat (75 miles if the legs are willing)
Holstein Hundred

Pescadero Road to visit the flamingos again

Don't want to set any mileage goals, I'm still considering dumping the bike computer completely. I'm with cruzie on this - time to make cycling fun again.

[cruziegirl]

CruzieGirl are you going to sign up for our Top Hat team? No pressure, but it is a fun group to ride with.

Who do you do your tours with?

Veronica

My sister and I usually do the Top Hat and Waves to Wine rides together so that is essentially "my team". But thanks for the invite.

I do my biking tours with VBT - Vermont Biking Tours (vbt.com). They got hold of my mailing info several years back and sent me a catalog of their rides. I decided "what the hell" and did one in Provence...I've been hooked ever since. There is simply nothing like discovering a country on a bicycle.

[cruziegirl]

That's the idea.

My first big goal for this year is to start commuting to & from work, a couple of days a week for starters. It's 15 miles each way, eminently do-able. I've run out of excuses so I promised myself I would start next Tuesday, March 1st. Have to admit I'm kind of nervous about the concept of competing with harried distracted commuters for road space. Wish me luck!

I have all sorts of fun rides planned for this year, including my first (imperial) century at Bike Around the Buttes on April 16. Then there's the Top Hat [hey cruziegirl, come join us!!] where I plan/hope/pray to do the 75 mile. Apart from that, I'd like to get better at climbing hills - I'm really starting to enjoy them in a perverse sort of way, although I'd just as soon go a bit quicker than my current snail's pace - and if the planets line up, maybe even do a 200K before years end.

I hear you about commuting jitters. That was actually the way I started cycling again and it was definitely daunting. Here is what I learned: #1 Assume the driver has NOT seen you - that's really the best default position to take. #2 Be REALLY visible - so wear clothing that practically glows...it may not be cool but they'll see you. #3 Act like a car including arm signals, pull into the turn lanes, stop at Stop signs etc. That way the drivers know what to expect from you. #4 Don't give in to anger if someone cuts you off or whatever. A 100+ pound woman on a 20+pound bike is not nearly as dangerous as an idiot guy in a 2000 lb car. Just realize that sometimes the idiots will get away with idiotic behavior. Biking is really a lovely way to go to and from work.