2013 Riding Goals

[Catrin]

I've been thinking about this, and I've decided a few things. One of which is I don't HAVE to ride solo all of the time. It is so very easy to fall into that habit as I can ride out of my apartment to country roads. The problem with THAT is I never really change up my route this way and I start getting bored.

So THIS year I am going to make a decided effort to attend more of the great many (and free) organized rides on the north side of Indy. I've already started making plans. I've a bike rack and I am going to use it for something other than mountain biking in Brown County! Not that the latter is bad, mtb riding is just off my plate at this time. I am resisting the urge to come up with a target number of miles I want to ride this year - targets like that are too easy for me to get a bit overly focused on. Instead, I am going to focus on participating in group rides and just having fun. I have the sneaking suspicion that this will help me increase my overall miles for the year, we will see!

So do you have different goals this year? Any plans to change your approach to riding in general?

[Crankin]

Sigh, on the day I was going to go on my first outdoor ride of the season, but it didn't happen.
Basically, ride more than last year (about 300 miles more) and do more longer (50-100 mile) rides.
Do a century. It doesn't have to be an organized one.
Ride with Hirakukibou on a weekly basis again.
Lead at least one more ride than the 2 I am doing this spring.
And get to at least 5 Wednesday Wheeler rides.

[Owlie]

My two real goals for the year is to try some off-road riding, and ride more with people from work. Any more than that, I can't say, since my knee isn't fully cooperative yet, I have to finish my thesis before July, and there's a cross-country move in late July or early August.

[indysteel]

I'm struggling with this. Last year started with a bang when we did the White Rim Tour in 3 days, but we don't have anything big like that planned. In fact, we're even skipping the Horsey Hundred this year (at least I think we are), and that's the ride that normally gets me in good road biking shape. So, I'm at a bit of a loss. I think DH and I need to identify some event to motivate us; I just don't knwo what it will be.

I definitely want to continue mountain biking, hopefully with a bit less anticipatory anxiety. I'd like to do a few more group/club rides myself, too. But beyond that, I dunno. I'm curious to see if any of the increased fitness I've gained over the winter will translate onto the bike. Frankly, I mostly just want to stick to my current routine and work biking into it rather than the other way around.

[Catrin]

I hear you Indy. I do want to ride, but I don't want to change my other activities too much, though I will drop my Sunday workouts for the season. I guess that I am seeking balance in my activities, and I also want to do some hiking as well this year. Basically, I want to add a more social component to my riding.

Sorry to hear about the Horsey, I know both of you enjoy that ride. If you do skip this year then perhaps that will make it more fresh next year?

[Jolt]

I'd like to do some day-trip rides in other parts of the state, to explore some new places. Maybe even try a weekend tour. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has links to some rides that sound really good, some of which aren't unreasonably far from where I live. I am also hoping to get involved with the rides the local bike co-op does for local kids during the summer, and maybe get some going just for girls (currently our organization doesn't have a girls-only program, but one a few towns over does and it has been pretty successful in getting more girls on bikes which is always a good thing).

[indysteel]

I hear you Indy. I do want to ride, but I don't want to change my other activities too much, though I will drop my Sunday workouts for the season. I guess that I am seeking balance in my activities, and I also want to do some hiking as well this year. Basically, I want to add a more social component to my riding.

Sorry to hear about the Horsey, I know both of you enjoy that ride. If you do skip this year then perhaps that will make it more fresh next year?

Balance is good. Doing what keeps you motivated and having fun is also good. So, just go with what moves you (literally and figuratively)! That's what I'm gong to try to do, but I have to weigh Brian's riding expectations into the mix, too. He and I both have started off the last few seasons with some enthusiasm that quickly waned because of lots of other obligations. I have a feeling that this year will be no different.

We're skipping the Horsey by choice, sort of. I've done it the past six years and some of it has grown kind of tired. Between the drive to and from Georgetown and having to shuttle back and forth between the hotel where we stay in Georgetown and Brian's parents' house about 45 minutes away, it's kind of a tedious trip. But it's also Brian's birthday, so we'll likely have to meet up with the inlaws anyway, so maybe we'll just relent.

[TrekDianna]

My one goal is not to die during Cycle Oregon.

[smittykitty]

My goal is to try to incorporate at least one hill in every ride! Cuz I'm so bad at them!

Who would have thought!

[Miranda]

Mine is to NOT get hurt in any way...and to be healthy enough to ride!

Besides that, it would be nice to be able to finish a century...which is where my epic ride and crash pattern begin about 3.5yrs ago (during my first planned century).

But, that part would be a bonus. Just the health, and happiness of riding would be a blessing.<3

[AppleTree]

We want to do some cycle touring this year, starting with an overnight local ride whenever the next good weather weekend is. This summer we are planning a weeklong tour over in Idaho, they have some fabulous trails. I can't wait!

I'm also trying to work on upping my average speed. Even by just a few mph. I know it means pushing myself harder. But then I worry about pushing too hard and injuring myself and not being able to ride at all...hmmm. Maybe I'll just be happy being a slow spoke.

[velo]

I set a few goals for myself at the beginning of the year and actually wrote them down. Last year I didn't start riding until mid-June and managed 3300 miles - I'm hoping that if I ride that much for a full season I can get in 5,000 road miles (not counting trainer time these past few months). I said I would ride outside at least 5 times/month during the cold months. I'm not big on cold+wind, but cold alone is OK down to the high 20's. I've done that Dec-Feb, but of all things, March isn't working well (been out only twice, the rest of my riding has been on the trainer)... we're still really cold and windy!! I didn't do an imperial century, just metric last year, but want to do at least two this year - one supported mid-season and one by myself near the end of the season. I was having some right knee issues... not really discomfort, but just I "noticed" it... due to a tight hamstring and I'd like to get that taken care of with some exercises. Another goal to help with that is to incorporate yoga into my routine. I'd like to do some mountain biking again. Went a few weeks ago and forgot how much FUN it is! Finally, work on core strength - the mountain biking really highlighted how important that is.

I would love to do some touring, but do not have a bike appropriate for that currently. My new Wilier's purpose is comfort for long rides, but not multi-day rides/tours. I would like to get a cross bike with rack and fender eyelets that can double as a touring bike, but finding one in my size seems next to impossible. Next year, maybe.

[kacie tri-ing]

I am so excited about my goal! I am training for 2-person Race Across America with one other woman! We have been totaly dedicated, and working incredible hard towards this race. It should be a June for the books!

AND--pedal wrench is on my crew! I am one lucky girl!

[Anelia]

kacie tri-ing, you are so lucky indeed! Keep us informed how your trainin goes. You can also make a separate thread for this adventure.

My goals...I want to win the national champoinships for XCO and XCM. I don't have high expectations for the Balkan Champoinship but at least maybe not get lapped
Also if I have the time to do some ultra marathons like 120 km would be great!
My goals are olso more organizational. Usually I organize one race in a year in my area and this year I want to make them two.

[velo]

Kacie - I was just reading your blog and some of the links from your blog and I am just in awe of what you are doing. I think it is so cool (and makes me wish I were younger). You have a new fan and I will be cheering on you and your team for RAAM. You are one amazing woman and cyclist and I hope you do set the record. Be sure to keep us updated in June! Best of luck!