2014 Mileage Goals.

At the beginning of June I was ahead of my goal in trying to reach 4,000 miles for 2014, but right now I’m about 60 miles behind where I need to be for the year. Freezing Saddles helped me get ahead of the game, but June has been a problem – my trip to Finland wasted 1 week and 2 weekends where I couldn’t ride. And since that trip I’m a “single dad” to a very active dog due to my wife helping out her family for 2 weeks and I can’t commute to work. It’s been tiring and frustrating but it’s temporary.

My 200K brevet and permanent plans are still in place for the fall. I do think Daisy would be a good running buddy, but I don’t really run. Office move is NOT happening so it’s the old commute into SE and up the hills of Anacostia for the foreseeable future.

All in all, despite a hiccup this month, I’m still in good shape.

BONUS – I just picked up a mechanic stand so I plan to spend more time cleaning and lubing things so everything runs more smoothly.
Not so BONUS – after a ride last night on my Surly, I think it’s time I get it professionally fitted to me. The feel is awkward and I’ve had some knee pain lately.

hundred miles per week and I’m at 2600 miles almost exactly today. guess I’m good so far.

I set my goal for 2014 at 4000, and as of today I’m at 2803. I don’t think I’ll have any trouble getting to my goal, as long as I keep the rubber side down.

@acl 73035 wrote:

No mileage goal. I want to ride consistently but without burning out (mentally or physically). My guess is close to this year’s 4900, maybe a bit less through the winter (sorry freezing saddles teammates) to have more time and energy to get myself back into somewhat consistent strength training.

uh, fail?

Goals:

Ride through the winter. (yes again, but hate the cold, so need the goal)

ok, success!

Get better at hills. Up them and down them. (got some better this year, want to get more better next year)

Questionable progress on this, but I did just yesterday get a new PR on the gigantically steep 2% grade that finishes my lunch time trail ride, so there’s that. And I am getting gradually less scaredy-cat about downhills. The tricross helps; it feels a lot more stable than either of the other bikes and has better brakes, so confidence descending and cornering goes up, I get practice, confidence starts to translate to other bikes. The broken finger in Feb did NOT help, as it interfered significantly with front braking (and shifting, though that is a different rant) and therefore confidence and control descending. It is much improved just the past 2-3 weeks (and I can use ALL my gears on ALL my bikes again:)), though braking is still a bit iffier than normal.

Find some cross bike type terrain to ride the new cross bike on.

I did do a bit over 20 miles of the Nova epic, but that’s about it, so this one needs some work.

Get enough faster and stronger to (continue to?) hold my own riding with the significant other. This one is doomed to certain failure,** but why let that stop me from declaring that I’m going to do it?

So far, much better than anticipated. “holding my own” does often involve a fair amount of drafting, but anything else would just be a waste of a tall ride partner, right? I *am* getting faster (until I hit a hill, anyway), so I guess the challenge is good for me. Also: I’m learning to draft.

Maybe some group rides or a century or something else new.

Well, there was the impromptu solo century during freezing saddles, and the nova epic has to count for this, both of which were quite foolish but turned out fine and I was happy to have done them. Maybe something new but slightly less foolish in the next 6 months?

@VikingMariner 89073 wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfDVLsBXYcM

Yeah, my elbow still feels like that occasionally, even two weeks after I wiped out in the parking lot at work. Looks like that, too. It’s almost healed, though. Almost.

I don’t have goals as such. However, I’ve biked 1,929.9 miles so far in 2014. This compares with 1,880.8 miles biked in all of 2013. Apparently, my total has spiked due to Freezing Saddles, the National Bike Challenge, and the fact that I’ve become active in local community theater (and am thus often biking to rehearsals).

I don’t have mileage goals. My goal for the year is to complete the One Day Ride Across Michigan (ODRAM, about 150 miles) and not be completely dead at the finish. I have done several 95 mile training rides and felt good at the end. I want to do one or two rides in the 120-130 mile range, and do 150-160 miles total over two consecutive days. Then, with proper pacing, I think I’ll be ready.

Not that it’s terribly accurate but I should hit around 200k ft elevation by July 1. 2012 I had 395k and 2013 346k with some injury time so I’m thinking I could hit 400k this year.

@Subby 89100 wrote:

5. Enter a Grand Fondo.

Not yet. Looking for late fall.

I would recommend either (or both of) the Frederick MD or Harrisonburg VA fondos! I’ve done both two years running now. Not particularly harder than Kill Bill, just longer steeper hills but similar elevation/mile so you actually get to keep a better rhythm. (And since you have the Jake I’d also encourage you to try a CX race!)