2017 Biking Goals

I’m getting exhausted just reading other people’s goals. I may need to add some napping to mine.

Ok, so other than learning to pop a 2mm high wheelie (*1)…

-Deliberately signed up for a race (GRUSK) that I knew was beyond my then-current capabilities, forcing myself to train for it. Therefore,
–For the first time ever (*2), I did something vaguely resembling “structured” training. This resulted in,
—Highest annual miles so far, about 600 more than last year
—By far my highest mileage month (May) ever, culminating in
—Deciding almost spur of the moment to ride Kill Bill, and actually finishing
—Finishing GRUSK (my original goal) but feeling disappointed because by that time I felt I had improved enough I should have ridden stronger than I did
-2-race days during cyclocross season without dying. Mostly not finishing last. (ok, mostly finishing in the top half in the beginners’ races, at least. Those Masters ladies are fast, though).
-Tried (failed, but tried)(*3) to continue bike-commuting after evening ride got dark. Extended “commuting season” an extra 3 or 4 weeks over last year before getting freaked out being on some of the roads in full dark. Maybe I’ll give it another try before the winter’s over…

Next year:
-Get faster. Maybe even beat Sunyata in a cross race.
-Figure out how to run the cyclocross barriers without tripping over them (technically an off-the-bike goal I guess…)
-Learn better handling skills. Maybe buy a mountain bike (though my “N” is getting a bit ridiculous…)
-Probably do GRUSK again, and if so try to a) do it without almost passing out halfway through, and b) improve over last year’s time. (mainly a, though)
-Something similarly challenging, but on nice, smooth pavement…(open to ideas… ) (mountains of misery? “ a tough, four-mile 12%–16% graded climb to the finish” is certainly -well- outside my current capabilities)
-I’m starting to get curious about road racing. I’m faster than I used to be, (though I don’t know if that translates to fast enough not to be dropped by a race peloton)—( barrier 1), but I’m still not very comfy riding in close quarters—(barrier 2). This might require figuring out how to go about finding, choosing, joining a team…

(*1) Seriously, I was pretty stoked about this. It took much of the year in off-and-on attempts before finally getting my tire to leave the ground for a fraction of a second sometime around late November.
(*2) Not just biking. Ever, for any type of athletic endeavor. So I really don’t know what I’m doing.
(*3) Yes, I am counting a failure as an accomplishment. Shut up.

@Crickey7 151072 wrote:

I’m getting exhausted just reading other people’s goals. I may need to add some napping to mine.

I’m with you. I increased my riding from about 30 miles a week to about 125 miles a week in 2016, and hope to continue at the higher level. But by the standards of this group, I’m clearly a wimp.

I never fail in reaching my goals since I don’t set any to begin with. But here are some memorable tidbits from 2016:
–Cracked my ribs on both sides in September riding into a pothole on a fast downhill. That same week, my younger daughter got slammed in the head by a sixth grade boy’s school locker, resulting in a concussion, and my other kid smashed her leg doing flips on beam. So we were quite the trio!
–Front wheel imploded and the tire exploded on the Crescent trail in November. I lost control and came to a terrifying halt but miraculously managed to stay upright. Thankful this did not happen in traffic.
–Made multiple trips to Phoenix Bikes and was blown away every time by the skill, kindness and good humor of Edoardo and his team. If you’re looking for a first-rate organization to link to your Amazon Smile account, consider designating Phoenix Bikes.
–Managed to take a few rides purely for fun including the hills of Lake Barcroft (palatial living around private lake right next to Seven Corners – who knew!), the Zoo Lights ride (plus a festive and tasty stop at Bob & Edith’s diner), and an ad hoc neighborhood tour of incredible holiday lights.
–I still haven’t used Strava consistently for a full year, as I don’t pay attention to my numbers. But I like the connection with friends and it’s fun to post my silly rhymes and other titles, so maybe I’ll keep it up in 2017.
-The girls and I had a blast constructing this year’s bike-friendly gingerbread community. http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?9693-warm-wishes

@rcannon100 151075 wrote:

Is your goal to avoid me? ‘Cause like I never see you on Friedays any more.

Because I am embarrassed by your spelling.

Fun thread. I’ll play.

2016 highlights:
— Exceeded my original mileage goal (6000) by 2000 miles.
— Rode in 7 states plus DC.
— Went to coffee club 92 times.
— Mentored a bike buddy who became a frequent commuter and a regular on the Forum and at coffee clubs.
— Successfully n+1’d.
— Became more comfortable riding in large groups and leading small groups.
— Rode the MARC bike train for the first time.
— Tried my hand at Strava art for the first time. Had so much fun that I did four more Strava art rides.

2017 goals:
— Do an overnight trip to Harpers Ferry and back.
— Take the Amtrak bike train for the first time, either to Richmond or Charlottesville, and ride back.
— Ride the whole Delaware & Raritan canal trail.
— Finish mapping out the two Strava art routes that I’ve been working on.
— Get better at climbing hills.
— Learn to actually enjoy biking in the rain.
— Persuade a nonbiking friend to take WABA’s Learn to Ride class.
— Convince or bribe LeprosyStudyGroup to make another awesome bike costume for Halloween.

2016 was the 5th best year of my adult life. Easily.

– 10,400 miles on the bike (715 hours)
– 520,000 feet climbing (previous best 245k)
– 426,000 calories burned
– 1,000,000+ calories eaten (this is more important)
– did Kill Bill on a steel singlespeed
– first Super 600k!
– first 24 hour fleche (#teamshady)
– qualified for the boston marathon with as little training (248 miles/4 months) as possible
– first bike race (Dirty BikenetiCrit)
– first trail race podium (Hemlock Half)
– 11 centuries
– getting the KOM on the backside of Mt. Weather
– ride my bike to a river, get in river, drink beer(s), repeat
– coffee club cannonball run, co-founder (don’t click, it’s dumb)
– lived to see multiple riders spell out “Shue Sucks” using Strava art (this should be #1)
– Literally HUNDREDS (with a capital S) of coffee clubs with my kids and friends
– Ride in DC all night and into the morning

2017

Basically do all of that stuff again, emphasis on family and friends and beer. Maybe learn to mountain bike. Ride tandem with B Shue.

Here’s to 2016 and all that’s to come in 2017.