Advice on how to increase miles riddwn

[goldfinch]

I'm going to answer your questions here, because I think they are valid. I will, however, echo the sentiments of others in the thread - why do you have a mileage goal? I am a cyclist, and I LOVE to ride my bike. I don't set mileage goals (though I do track to see if I am ahead or behind last year) - I ride because I love it. If you set a goal, and you only ride o achieve that goal (and not for the sake of riding), then it seem pointless to me...

I have mileage goals. I can be on a roll that lasts for months where I exceed goals and ride because I love to ride. And then I can get bogged down and not want to do anything but sit on the couch with my dog, computer and food. The goals help me a bit to get off the couch. But that is me. This fall I have not wanted to do anything but I have at least a minimum mileage goal of 200 a month and I will do at least that amount until the weather gets too bad. Then I will go south or do something else.

[kajero]

I have mileage goals. I can be on a roll that lasts for months where I exceed goals and ride because I love to ride. And then I can get bogged down and not want to do anything but sit on the couch with my dog, computer and food. The goals help me a bit to get off the couch. But that is me. This fall I have not wanted to do anything but I have at least a minimum mileage goal of 200 a month and I will do at least that amount until the weather gets too bad. Then I will go south or do something else.

I think a mileage goal may be important to me because as you said, "It helps me get off the couch." Being unemployed it's so easy for me to sit around and say I will do it tomorrow.

[tulip]

I think a mileage goal may be important to me because as you said, "It helps me get off the couch." Being unemployed it's so easy for me to sit around and say I will do it tomorrow.

Since you are not working, seems like you have a great opportunity to use your bike for transportation every day. Go to a cafe, a museum, the library, the store, meet a friend, have lunch, volunteer somewhere...those miles do add up quickly.

If I lived in a very cold place, I would have an ice bike with studded tires. I used to have one, but then moved south and there's not much ice. Actually if I lived in Minnesota I would love to try a fat bike on the snow. Or just get some XC skis for winter.

[shootingstar]

Kajero: The last time I was unemployed but actively looking for work, I did make it a temporary goal, that I bike my favourite (and scenic) routes daily --choice of a 40 km. ride or a 20 km. ride (a different route) if I was feeling crappy. I tried to do the ride in the morning and get done then..to get my motivation for other things started up each day.

I did do 40 kms. daily most weeks for 3 months (but geared down when weather became rainy often or I was busy doing other stuff ie. volunteering for cycling advocacy group). The daily route included 2 hills @8-10% grade.