2011 Cycling Goals

[redrhodie]

I'm staying with "100 miles per week" because it works well for me.

[Catrin]

I'm staying with "100 miles per week" because it works well for me.

Red, are you able to stick with this in the winter as well? I've been doing this since June at least until the hamstring started acting up almost two weeks ago.

[redrhodie]

There's about 6 weeks where I don't come close to making my goal, like one January when we had ice for the entire month, and I only got outside two or three times (I rode my trainer a lot, but I don't count those "miles" towards my goal). I also tend to not make my number for a couple of weeks in July, when I can't blame the weather. I get so hooked on watching the tour, that I miss many miles.

It's a game. I'm constantly working on the next 100 miles. Since it's pretty important for me to exercise 5 days per week, this keeps me doing it. I have a family history of morbid obesity, and I think this amount of exercise is why I'm thin, when genetics say I should not be. I don't beat myself up if I can't make the 100, but I really try to every week. At this time of the year, I'm usually over.

ETA, Newport winters--we don't get feet of snow that lasts and lasts, and I love riding in the cold. That helps.

[buffybike]

I'd love to do Ragbrai 2011, but with 2 kids, it'd be hard. Maybe I can talk some people from my local club into doing it and taking turns driving SAG. My ultimate goal for 2011 would be the Six Gap Century in Dahlonega, GA.

This winter, I want to maintain my fitness by riding at least 3x a week. Our winters are fairly mild here--with the right clothing, I'd be comfortable enough. It would be great to start the "cycling season" in top shape! A mileage goal of 6,000 for 2011 wouldn't be unreasonable (barring any injuries or accidents).

[nscrbug]

I can't think about 2011, until my 2010 riding season is over...which will likely be around the first week of December (based on last year's season). My goal for this year was to better my total mileage from last year, which was 5,400 miles (starting from the first week of March). I think I am on target to beat that by almost 1,000 miles, so we shall see how it goes for the next few weeks.

[Catrin]

....
It's a game. I'm constantly working on the next 100 miles. Since it's pretty important for me to exercise 5 days per week, this keeps me doing it. I have a family history of morbid obesity, and I think this amount of exercise is why I'm thin, when genetics say I should not be. I don't beat myself up if I can't make the 100, but I really try to every week. At this time of the year, I'm usually over.

ETA, Newport winters--we don't get feet of snow that lasts and lasts, and I love riding in the cold. That helps.

This sounds like a good plan - and is part of the reason I got interested in long-distance riding. I've been obese in the past and have no desire to return to those years. I've been trying not to beat myself up for not making my goal the last two weekends, but it is hard not to do so. I couldn't tell much of an impact on my weight loss until I started getting about 100 miles a week - that was when I could start to tell a difference. Not so much in actual pounds lost but in composition.

As accustomed as I got to the heat, I can tell that it is going to be quite an adjustment to the cooler temps. If I could adjust the heat, then I can adjust to the cold

[WindingRoad]

I don't think it's too early. I've been pondering on my goals lately. Since my life has taken on a totally different spin, my new goals are going to have to be condensed training due to VERY little free time. I hope to ride to campus as many days as possible and really work on my running. I would like to make my running a 3-4x per week thing once it gets cold. I actually LIKE running in the cold. Cycling I can do but it's not nearly as fun. LOVE running in the snow! I would also like to do more weight lifting starting NOW. I love riding distance for 4,6,8,10 hours but that is NOT gonna be possible for 4 more years so... I'll do what I can.

Catrin - So glad you are loving the cycling! I'm surprised you aren't doing the Hilly Hundred next weekend down in Elletsville though? Is your hamstring pretty bad?

[Catrin]

Catrin - So glad you are loving the cycling! I'm surprised you aren't doing the Hilly Hundred next weekend down in Elletsville though? Is your hamstring pretty bad?

My hamstring does hurt in the hills, but that isn't the main reason why I am not doing the Hilly Hundred this year. I am still quite slow in the hills and I do not think that my legs are ready for the Hilly just yet. Next year I will consider it - I won't say it wasn't tempting, but not my first year. I am also very curious about the Brown County Hill Challenge, which is going on this weekend...

I am looking forward to some more hill training once my leg heals There is something about climbing hills that I enjoy - as hard as it can be. I don't know if it is the challenge itself, the fun of going downhill, or both.

[Aggie_Ama]

I mainly want to ride and be happy, some days I still struggle with being frustrated which is a natural way for me. So I am trying to relax and not let my head dictate, listen to my mom that can't never could.

Most of my goals are with mountain biking, I have "lost that loving feeling" for the road. For now my days of centuries and more than the occasional organized ride are past. With mountain biking I want to continue to improve my skills, do some more races. I hope that if I can try more races by the end of 2011 I will have moved up a category. But if that doesn't happen I know I will be riding some obstacle I can't today. Right now I am thinking of several sections of my local trail I am still not riding.

[jessmarimba]

I'd like to do my first mountain bike race. That was the goal for this year but it got a little delayed!

[ivorygorgon]

I am going to increase my average speed, on flats and hills;
I am going to get a professional fitting and increase my comfort on the bike;
I am going to ride the Adventure Corps and do the Laguna Challenge, but do two laps instead of 1;
I am going to ride at least 50 miles a week.
DH and I will be in good enough shape to just do a century without feeling like we want to train for it. (almost there already)
I will get down to my goal weight.

[MomOnBike]

My goals are pretty simple, really.

1) Work up base miles/fitness to -

2) Start my tour. Hopefully, my vacation time/fitness will get me at least halfway up the Mississippi.

3) Take DH's vintage bike down to the basement this winter and give it some concentrated TLC. I did this last winter to my old bike and loved it. OK, this isn't riding, but it is bike related, so it counts.

[inkspot]

Thanks for the motivation to set my goals early! My goals for 2011 are few (so far):

1) Commute every weekday from thaw to next freeze (April-November) rain, snow, wind or shine.

2) Ride a minimum of 75 miles (in addition to my commute) each week.

3) Do the STP (I did my first group ride this past weekend, and I'm hooked ).

[Roadtrip]

Loose weight and continue working on bike skills and building mileage milestones. Right now longest ride has been 6miles. Not BAD all considering, but I too want to set goals, so 70 pounds and doing a metric century in 2011 might be good "goal" for me.

For some silly reason I want to ride the Tour de Doughnut next September, but that's the only real organized ride that I've got my eye on at the moment. Just need to work on increasing the mileage and get myself into some group rides when I feel comfortable.

Shannon

[kjay]

Thanks for this thread, which if nothing else has made me aware of the need to start setting goals. My 50th high-school reunion is slated for next year in the Midwest, and I've toyed with riding RAGBRAI but my first goal is to get back on my bike. ;-) Thanks for getting me started.