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.

[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!

[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]

...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.

[paintgirl]

Got to have a goal. My goal is to commute to work all the way, 4 out of the 5 days. I live 22 miles from work, and last year I would drive to the start of the bike path and commute from there (10 miles) so it was a good 20 miles a day. I have to have a vehicle available at work, tho in the years i have been there haven't needed it. We get a travel allowance, and new manager is being sticky about it. My plan is to drive to work on Monday am with my clothes and cleaning products for the week, and commute all week driving home on Friday. Even talking about riding my bike seems far fetched, snow and cold here for so long. Realistically, mid to end of April before I can start, and will be some pretty chilly mornings in Northern Ontario even then. I am in major bike longing now, looking at new catalogues, reading lots of forums, visiting my bike, talking to it in the garage, trying to stay in shape on trainer, snoshoeing, shovelling snow etc. Hurry spring

[Crankin]

Seeing this thread has forced me to actually write down my goals. Well, here in snowy Massachusetts my immediate goal is to be out on the road at least a couple of times before the end of March. After that, I want to ride at least 2500 miles this season. I rode about 1900 last year and i have the summer off, so that's probably do-able. Let's see... learn to change a flat (finally), get better at descending (I'm a wimp), and do at least one or two 75 mile rides. I am going on a six day cycling trip from Prague to Vienna for my 25th anniversary. I want to enjoy this and be able to ride each day without injuries or having to ride in the van! Plus, I want to keep feeling that cycling is fun!!! After a couple of years of working on speed, hills, etc., I feel that I am OK, but I don't want to get to the point that this becomes a job. Plus, I need to find someone to ride with during the day, this summer. My riding partner has a new job and won't be able to ride all the time this year.

[Surlygirl]

Hey Robyn where do you live? There are a bunch of us from Mass. and check the Northeast posts. There was a movement to all meet at some point. Another 6-12 inches of snow tonight. Its hard to set goals when the white stuff never goes away. My goal is 1000 this year, depending on weather, kids, and everything else.

[Crankin]

Hey Robyn where do you live? There are a bunch of us from Mass. and check the Northeast posts. There was a movement to all meet at some point. Another 6-12 inches of snow tonight. Its hard to set goals when the white stuff never goes away. My goal is 1000 this year, depending on weather, kids, and everything else.

I live in Boxborough, near Acton/Harvard. Yea, more snow, but it's the last chance to cross country ski. I am going to Vermont tomorrow.

[Jdimson]

My goals are to put more miles on my bike. I'm also testing out adding some variety to my workouts with running. We'll see how long it lasts and if I can become as addicted to running as I am to riding.

[CorsairMac]

My goals are to put more miles on my bike. I'm also testing out adding some variety to my workouts with running. We'll see how long it lasts and if I can become as addicted to running as I am to riding.

Good Luck JD. I run at night when I get home from my bike commute. I've done both for years and can't imagine doing without either one!

*insert applauding emoticon here*
Congrats Jo-I Knew you could-Bob! Sounds like you have quite the adventure and fun all at the same time! Wait til it reaches the point where you lay in bed and try to figure out how to do all the things you need to do the next day without your vehicle! Like today, I drove but gosh darn I spent several hours last night looking at maps and pouring over trails trying to figure out how to make my appt on my bike! Keep up the good work!

[yellow]

I thought it was a good time to bump this up. I was up against one of my goals this weekend and it made me think of this thread.

My update:
I had originally planned out all of my rides for my century of the month plan thusly:
March-Solvang, CA
April-Wildflower, Chico, CA
May-3 State Challenge, starting in TN
June-choice between Sierra Century, America's Most Beautiful, and Comstock, all in eastern CA

So I did Solvang and Chico and ended up not going to TN as my friend there couldn't have me to vist just then. If I'd had my act together, I'd have done the Wine Country (NO, NOT Lodi!). Ah well, what's a girl to do?

Ride one on her own (or with friends). So today Brian and I did a "metric" century plus--78 miles--with about 9000' of climbing. Ouch. My local buds all bailed. But it was a great ride and we saw a whole lot of the county we live in!

And for June I'm signed up to do the Sierra Century. Not sure about my July goal...

'kay, fess up!

y