Cycling Goals for 2008?

[Sandy]

So what are your cycling goals for 2008?

Here are mine:

1. Improve my pedal stroke.
2. Improve my hill climbing ability.
3. Become stronger.
4. Increase my endurance.
5. Ride more frequently, increasing mileage (per rides) as the year progresses.
6. Ride more difficult and demanding rides.
7. Ride easy sociable rides.
8. Have enough sense to balance 6. and 7., so that I may improve but simultaneously have fun, which is the name of the game. Speed is great, but comaraderie and fun is better.
9. Meet and ride with more forum members.

So what are your goals?


Sandy

[Climb01742]

stay injury free
ride time-trials this summer as fast as i can
hope that winter 08 is milder and less snowy that dec 07 has been!!!!
last but not least, get to douglas' bikefest in 08

[Sandy]

stay injury free
ride time-trials this summer as fast as i can
hope that winter 08 is milder and less snowy that dec 07 has been!!!!
last but not least, get to douglas' bikefest in 08

Meeting Douglas and his dog Mira is at the top my list for number 9. I will be the designated dog player. I am really looking forward to meeting Mira....Douglas too, I guess :)


Mira's Friend

[Pete Serotta]

I share these objectives and BAILEY said he would meet you....


Meeting Douglas and his dog Mira is at the top my list for number 9. I will be the designated dog player. I am really looking forward to meeting Mira....Douglas too, I guess :)


Mira's Friend

[Sandy]

I only wanted to visit you and Bailey about a zillion times this past year, as you know, but problems prevented that. This coming year I will make it....hopefully.


:) Bagel Bailey :)

[Dr. Doofus]

do some races. i've been nominanted for vestry...mrs. fat says if I'm on the vestry, then no class through the diocese, and I agree.... I'd have to see what saturdays I could race. If I don't get on the vestry and I take a class, I have to see how many Saturdays I'd actually have for racing.

if I do some races, then get some respectable masters finishes -- crack the top 25 at least once.

see if I can get back down to 156, and raise my peak FTP 10 more watts to 350...

have fun. I plan on enjoying my Pacenti and Rock Lobster on the road, commuting on my Fuji fixed, and digging out my Fuji 'cross throughout the year. Variety is good.

[Fixed]

ride everyday and make a friend :beer: cheers

[goonster]

1. Ride more.
2. Ride more.
3. Ride more.

[djg]

This is a good question. I'm starting back into road racing for the first time in a long, long time, and I'm trying to set some goals but also to be realistic. I dipped the toes in with a few cross races this fall -- started out with what I regarded as a respectable mid-"pack" finish. This helped confirm my twin suspicions that (a) I could do it and (b) there was work to be done -- with time, patience, and a dose of realism -- if I were to do anything at all. Dedicating myself to the task is out of the question -- I'm a 47 year-old amateur with a family that comes first and a real career that won't wait around, but I do want to do some work and make some regular progress. I know some things to do for the actual training bit, but setting the goals is an interesting project.

[Ray]

Hopefully just get back to riding as much as I have typically. 2007 was an extremely off year for me - the first I've had since I started riding. Some good reasons for it, but I hope not to repeat it. 2008 will tell whether that was an aberration or the first year of a less cycling-centric life. At the very least I'd like to get back in good enough shape to look forward to a 50-60 mile per day tour later in the year. And to be able to hang at this year's Ramble. At the '06 version, I was in pretty typical late-season condition, which is about as good as I get. And that's what it took to ride comfortably with the slower group. If I'm only able to get into the kind of shape I was in for most of 2007, it just wouldn't even be fun.

-Ray

[Dave B]

goals...

I think first is to be honest w/myself and set obtainable and measurable ones.

1. Stop making excuses...I am only in control of me.l.and even that is an illusion.

2. Learn to ride a bike...not in the fundamental way, but proper riding, distance, speed, control, and be willing to push limits of what "comfort" is in my silly little world.

3. get over the "up-grade-itis" that seems to be what used to be important to me. no one is paying me to ride for them and I am not racing anyone. Nobody cares what bike I have or what is on it...maybe I should not either.

4. remembering that riding a bike is pure...it is free to do...having fun should be the #1 priority for me.

5. Being fat is no longer a great joke, it is real...sort it out.

6. Having a sense of humor when riding may keep me from being hit or run over by a car.

7. to get to know my bike...really ride it so that I can truly understand what a bike "feels" like.


or something like that.

[shanerpvt]

175 lbs...........less to carry up the hills.

[dbrk]

*Miles upon miles with no training goals, no destinations, nothing but road and gravel. Have bike, Will Ride.
*Another Finger Lakes Ramble, likely in July (dates forthcoming). Our informal gathering to smooze the roads of western NY.
*More rides with Mr. Barry, out on those endless rough stuff roads (we gots plans); then hours with him in the Mariposa workshops and my basement where in his new retirement we'll talk about restorations, our shared interest in bicycle folly, and bike building.
*Watching old friends meet, that means, enjoying the sight of Sandy playing with Mira the silken windhound...

dbrk

[93legendti]

ride everyday :beer: cheers

I'm with Fixed. Ride every day, 'cuz every ride is a good ride.

[jerk]

work less.
ride more.
train effectivly for a race i'l never do.
not be fat.

jerk

[stevep]

good last few years. hope for another in 08.

still like this thing.

actually started to build up a new bike for the season... oye!

[DarrenCT]

work less.
ride more.
train effectivly for a race i'l never do.
not be fat.

jerk

+1

also, stay injury free

[sellsworth]

1. To not buy a "great deal" from craigslist this year
2. Carry all of the necessary tools on all of my rides
3. Don't worry about speed so much this year
4. Do three centuries on a tandem with my 11-year-old son
5. Don't hit the brakes at all coming down Geiger Grade
6. Only yell at motorists when they do something really bad

[chuckroast]

More fun, less structure in my riding.
Ride the length of Missouri's KATY Trail on a June weekend.
And just one last time, I'd like to see the south side of 160 one Sunday morning.

[rsl]

1. Find new routes and ride more than I did in the fall. I moved in August and had a tough time finding new routes to ride or people to ride with.

2. Buy a cyclocross bike and do a few races!

3. Finally buy the new cycling shoes I've been needing for a couple of years.

[chrisroph]

stay healthy and have fun

ride a lot with my friends

no crashes

have some new experiences on the bike, like a training camp in calif in february

help some of the strong young guys on the team learn how to ride, train, race and have a good time doing it

lead terry out to a win

pick a couple key races and see if i can peak for them

ride cross healthy next year

take zanc and miyette up on their invitation and make it out to gloucester for a weekend of cross racing

[Kervin]

Actually train
Lose 15 more pounds
Win a race
Don't start a bike project

[rasterdogs]

Further, Faster, Fun-er (or funnier).

-JimD

[znfdl]

Ride 10,000 mostly quality miles.

[jrmerson]

Nashville to Natchez

[Ahneida Ride]

*Miles upon miles with no training goals, no destinations, nothing but road and gravel. Have bike, Will Ride.
dbrk

Amen .... I ride .... to have fun .....

the definition of fun changes every 5 seconds. :banana:

[Lifelover]

Enjoy every ride
Keep my elbow in it's socket
Intro new riders into the joy of cycling
Ride more with my Boys
Try a tandem with my wife

[FMS_rider]

Take the next 2 steps in re-joining the human race: retire and stop doing all of my rides alone.

[Avispa]

1. Improve my pedal stroke.
2. Improve my hill climbing ability.
3. Become stronger.
4. Increase my endurance.
5. Ride more frequently, increasing mileage (per rides) as the year progresses.
6. Ride more difficult and demanding rides.
7. Ride easy sociable rides.
8. Have enough sense to balance 6. and 7., so that I may improve but simultaneously have fun, which is the name of the game. Speed is great, but camaraderie and fun is better.
9. Meet and ride with more forum members.


Sandy,

I am sorry to inform you that in order to achieve all these goals, you MUST order a MeiVici! So, please change your CDA bike order.

Now, for #9, you not only need to have the MeiVici, you'll need to fulfill another requirement: You must attend DBRK's Ramble...

Regards,

:) ..A.. ;)

[jmewkill]

- to buy just one more bike
- to sit in a cafe in Italy, drink coffee, watch the girls go past and pretend to read La Gazette
- ride another MS tour with my girls
- a mountain bike camping trip in Colorado
- Have a beer at Nahbs with some of the best people in the bike industry
- go to Flnger lakes ramble to thank DRBK for a book recommendation

- oh and ride the bikes I own at least once in 2008.

[Len J]

Concentrate on riding for the joy of it, not because I expect to, or have to, or because I should.

Len

[labratmatt]

crush the field.

[PBWrench]

1. Carry over great fall into disciplined winter training with watts
2. Strong riding on Moab hills in March at Skinny Tire Festival
3. Four or five centuries, 18+ average
4. Not letting recently acquired asthma limit me in any way
5. Develop more confident descending skills
6. More rides on my two vintage steel bikes
7. 1500 miles on my SS
8. Lots and lots of coffee rides with my buddies

[Ti Designs]

Sandy,

Your goals are my coaching goals...

I have personal goals and coaching goals. My own goals involve getting back to where I was last season, maybe just a little more top speed would be nice. I would also like to spend more time with Barbara on our tandems. I would like to feel as at ease and natural on the tandem as I do on my single bike - it takes time. I want more adventure. I'm thinking a 200+ mile ride on the road tandem, a ride that crosses multiple streams on the mountain tandem, maybe D2R2 on the fixed gear... For the people I coach I want to help them reach their goals and I want to be there when they do.

[davids]

1. Start riding road earlier in the year.
2. Have fun.
3. Do the Best Buddies ride in May.
4. Continue working on my pedal stroke, and evening out my left & right sides.
5. Have fun.
6. Buy a new mountain bike.
7. Have more fun.
8. Ride more miles than 2007 (which wasn't bad at all).
9. Fun.

[mflaherty37]

1. Wear out one of my bikes so I can get another next winter.
2. Suck Doof's wheel.

[labratmatt]

see if I can get back down to 156, and raise my peak FTP 10 more watts to 350...

350? Wow! That is some serious power.

Matt

[Dr. Doofus]

350? Wow! That is some serious power.

Matt

not when you weigh 164

then its just pretty average

when combined with the racing brain of a retarded water buffalo

its pretty awful

[manet]

1. find out what FTP stands for

[Waldo]

2008 Goal: California Triple Crown -- 3 double centuries in a year.

[TomP]

1. Go on a couple of cycling vacations with my dear wife and great friends
2. Do something really adventurous - this year it was La Ruta
3. Balance MTB and road
4. Kick some youngsters butt :beer: I'm 52

[shinomaster]

stay healthy and have fun

ride a lot with my friends

no crashes

have some new experiences on the bike, like a training camp in calif in february

help some of the strong young guys on the team learn how to ride, train, race and have a good time doing it

lead terry out to a win

pick a couple key races and see if i can peak for them

ride cross healthy next year

take zanc and miyette up on their invitation and make it out to gloucester for a weekend of cross racing


That would be super fun to go to Gloucester...
I just want a top 20 in a B race now :)

[t. swartz]

ride my em's like they were meant to be ridden-often and fast.

[BumbleBeeDave]

Sandy,

I am sorry to inform you that in order to achieve all these goals, you MUST order a MeiVici? So, please change your CDA bike order.

Now, for #9, you not only need to have the MeiVici, you'll need to fulfill another requirement: You must attend DBRK's Ramble...

Regards,

:) ..A.. ;)

Do not ride next to Avispa at the Ramble! He is apparently infected with some sort of virus that causes flat tires! It's very contagious! Trust me on this . . . :eek: ;) :(

BBD

[PBWrench]

Beware! If you are riding next to Avispa, you are riding dangerously fast!

[labratmatt]

not when you weigh 164

then its just pretty average

when combined with the racing brain of a retarded water buffalo

its pretty awful

No, dude, that's some power.

[scrooge]

...a friend is trying to talk me into Leadville 100 MTB race. I'm thinking about it--IF I can get in and think that I can really dedicate the training time.

Also think this may be the year to try a century a month.

Those two things should keep me busy. Of course, dreaming about them in December and actually doing them throughout the year are two very different things. A more realistic goal might be to ride a bit now and then after my first child is born this spring...

[swoop]

shooting for the nose wheely, the no handed trackstand, and to better time the cheek suck-in with the ripply leg moment for the dude that always is there taking photos... because he always catches me inhaling and next to a fat guy.

[mflaherty37]

No, dude, that's some power.

I used to tray and suck some dude that was on an olympic rowing team. Puts out over 400 watts for 45 minutes in the winter. When he got on the drops it was all over but the slow ride home.

[Avispa]

*Miles upon miles with no training goals, no destinations, nothing but road OR gravel. Have bike, Will Ride.
*Another Finger Lakes Ramble, likely in July (dates forthcoming). Our informal gathering to smooze the roads of western NY.

+ 2

Hope it all comes true DBRK!

..A..

[Tom]

(2) Don't fall off the bike.
(3) Use up all my fingers on rides longer than 100 miles.
(4) Use at least one thumb for rides longer than 200 miles.
(5) Find out how to climb fast.
(6) Lose eight pounds of fat.

[keno]

Train to race 2000 meters on the track, and if I have the numbers to be respectable, race in regionals (65+ age catergory) during the summer.

keno

[Sandy]

Train to race 2000 meters on the track, and if I have the numbers to be respectable, race in regionals (65+ age catergory) during the summer.

keno

Wonderful goals. You have my total respect and admiration. I wish I had your dedicated focus. You have made monumental progress over the last few years. Somehow I feel as if your numbers will be more than respectable....


Sandy

[Brons2]

My goal for 2008 is to complete the Cascade 1200K.

http://www.cascade1200.com/

[Fixed]

[QUOTE=swoop], the no handed trackstand, QUOTE]
come over here bro i'll help you with it u got a track bike ?
hey swoop thanks for all your help you are the best i o u bro
cheers

[Sandy]

My goal for 2008 is to complete the Cascade 1200K.

http://www.cascade1200.com/

Now that is one lofty goal. Best to you in accomplishing it. That would be quite an accomplishment.


Sandy

[rdparadise]

1. Have my knee scoped so I can ride pain free in 2008;
2. Ride Saturdays with buds regularly;
3. Get back to metric century rides more often;
4. Average 100 miles per week during peak cycling season (April-Oct);
5. Continue Yoga practice to strengthen core and loosen hamstrings;
6. Ride a minimum of 2X per month with my wife on the tandem;
7. Have fun!

Bob

[J.Greene]

1. Get my youngest off training wheels

2. Podium at a cross race

3. Take a week long bike trip with my wife.

JG

[Karin Kirk]

1. Ride in the Swiss Alps
2. Learn more so I can be a better coach
3. Take another shot at equaling the 40K TT time I rode as a 20-something. I was so close last year, and then a freak storm blew in with 5 k to go and very nearly knocked me off my bike.

[mschol17]

1. Learn how to ride with my wife so that she enjoys it.
2. Get in good enough shape to enjoy a SR series, not just finish one.
3. Get a bike that will stop my compulsive searching.
4. Be a Ramblin' man
5. Go on more bike rides with my wife.

[old_school]

ride more, think less

[jmr986]

:crap: Tore the quad tendon in my right leg 3 weeks ago. Want to get back to peak health by July so I can do the bike leg of our Olympic distance coed tri team.

[Tom]

:crap: Tore the quad tendon in my right leg 3 weeks ago..

That sucks. Did you at least get a good story out of it?

[GoJavs]

Get to 150 lbs - which was my goal in '07 but stalled in the low 160s.

Avoid buying any more bikes. Can't fit any more in here. :crap:

[bozman]

1. improve fitness
2. ride more
3. ride to work more
4. get weight under 200
5. break 4 hours in the Iron Horse

[Volant]

Ride..ahem, without the wife on my back (the wheelset has a weight limit).

Oh, and do a Century in under 4 hours.
http://www.clarksvillecentury.com/

[Cdub]

watch my girl in her first race.
drop the training wheels from my sons bike(he is 3)
build power
go off the front
podium more than once this year
help my wife with her first half iron man
by a new road rig
avoid mechanical issues

Have fun this year!!!!!

[72gmc]

ride even more than I do
ride some brevets
learn how to eat better before and during rides
make new riding friends
make three new riding friends in my own house
learn to ride a unicycle

[zank]

not when you weigh 164

then its just pretty average

when combined with the racing brain of a retarded water buffalo

its pretty awful

Sure, pretty average for a good cat 2 that is. I know some 2s who would kill for an FTP power to weight ratio of 4.6 W/kg, never mind 4.9 if you do make it to your goal weight and power. Dang good numbers, Doof! :beer:

For me, I am going to work my tail off with these goals in mind:
Win a cat 3 cross race
Get my cat 2 cross upgrade
Top 5 in a Root 66 Expert race
Get under 150# for the first time in 10 years
Meet lots of great new riding buddies in Milwaukee
#1 goal - make it back home for the Gloucester and the Chainbiter/Cycle-Smart Verge weekends!

[J.Greene]

#1 goal - make it back home for the Gloucester and the Chainbiter/Cycle-Smart Verge weekends!

I'm having so much fun racing cross in FL I would be tempted to make the trip to Gloucester.

JG

[Brons2]

ride more, think less

awesome!

[Dr. Doofus]

Sure, pretty average for a good cat 2 that is. I know some 2s who would kill for an FTP power to weight ratio of 4.6 W/kg, never mind 4.9 if you do make it to your goal weight and power. Dang good numbers, Doof! :beer:

For me, I am going to work my tail off with these goals in mind:
Win a cat 3 cross race
Get my cat 2 cross upgrade
Top 5 in a Root 66 Expert race
Get under 150# for the first time in 10 years
Meet lots of great new riding buddies in Milwaukee
#1 goal - make it back home for the Gloucester and the Chainbiter/Cycle-Smart Verge weekends!

those "category average" tables for watt/kg aren't worth a whole lot

my teammate tom...never fit...shows up to 3 races with hairy legs, always finds the right wheels, usually ends up between 5-15. i show up fit, end up in the back 1/2 of the field, finish with the guys who are listed in alphabetical order...and then you have guys who are placing top 5 in cat 4 races in April, then move through the 3s, and in October they're 2s...and they didn't get that much stronger during the year -- they were just smart and fast to begin with....

I don't like all that bumping and moving around...I'm such a ****ty racer...I like going sort of fast in a straight line...but I sold my TT bike to buy my Rock Lobster....

my goal for the year is to heal up

[shoe]

let's see --no pbp training ..so maybe ride less and go faster...

[Ginger]

Goal?

Ride my bike.

That's enough of a goal for me.

:)

[Erik.Lazdins]

Ride just to ride.

[WadePatton]

get back into racing (off road)
get back into the club
ride all the local centuries and metrics, except the HOT--I'll work that one.

[AgilisMerlin]

do more time trials
stop partying after Christmas
get back down to 130#
eat less meat while avoiding carbs
eat more avocados
quit beer and stick to wine
stop staring at the rollers and ride them
forgive Rassmussen
stop shovelling all this frucken' snow :fight:
ride more with Roman Meal
drink better coffee
paint more rooms in my house
finish my rock walls surrounding my gardens
visit my brother back down in good ole' Virginia
catch more stripers
keep making the money i am now currently enjoying
read more books
do what i say
replace all the tires on all my bikes showing thread............. :crap:
fill my oil tank and keep burning the stove hot
pilfer some bottles out of my wife's wine racks............without guilt........
eat more sushi
play more soccer with my kids

bout' sums it up

[fiamme red]

To have all my bikes and wheels in sound mechanical condition by mid-March.

[e-RICHIE]

So what are your cycling goals for 2008?
Sandy
to find a cure for post 'cross traumatic stress disorder atmo.

[J.Greene]

catch more strippers
bout' sums it up

It's about the tip bro.

JG

[RPS]

Having the ability to ride will make my year.
Whether I actually ride is far less important.

[TomP]

Having the ability to ride will make my year.
Whether I actually ride is far less important.

Very well put.

I work in a Rehab Hospital with patients recovering from head and spinal cord injuries. It is a gift to see them and be a part of their lives. It is a constant reminder of priorities and appreciation for life.

[Kevan]

In no particular order...

-Resign myself to riding slower, joining the "B" crowd for club rides.

-Resign myself to a world of pain and suffering, fighting my way back into "B+/A" conditioning. But will I survive?

-Return to the world of photography.

-Sponsor some photo/riding club rides. You can assume this will be for that slower crowd.

-Once again visit our friend dbrk for his august August ramble.

-Work harder at work.

[Sandy]

In no particular order...

-Resign myself to riding slower, joining the "B" crowd for club rides.

-Resign myself to a world of pain and suffering, fighting my way back into "B+/A" conditioning. But will I survive?

-Return to the world of photography.

-Sponsor some photo/riding club rides. You can assume this will be for that slower crowd.

-Once again visit our friend dbrk for his august August ramble.

-Work harder at work.

Haven't you forgotten a very important one?- Learn how to ride a bike. :)


Simple Sandy

[Tailwinds]

Goal?

Ride my bike.

That's enough of a goal for me.

:)

Ditto. :)

[oldfatslow]

I had spinal surgery in November and was goofed up for a few months prior. Today my work out are limited to pulling on therabands (think giant rubber bands in primary colors) and twice weekly PT. I can't get on the trainer until January nor on the road until February.

For 2008 I look forward to getting the road beneath me. The wind in my face. Catching up with the guys on the road. Watching the city limit sprint set up and execute live (no offense to Paul and Phil but being there live beats anything I see on Vs.). The feeling of being totally exhausted after an epic ride.

I am extremely thankful to have goals and friends who are commited to seeing me achieve them.

To everyone who has posted thus far thank you for the inspiration.

[myette10]

one verge point (elite master's)
no injuries
get back at zank for taking 3 of 4 town lines this past August
have fun

[e-RICHIE]

i'd like to open for spinal tap at the enormodome atmo.

[sspielman]

i'd like to open for spinal tap at the enormodome atmo.

.....count me in, Dude.....

[zank]

I finally put my goals on e-paper (http://crossinnewbelgium.blogspot.com/2008/01/its-new-year.html). But here is the last paragraph, which pretty much sums it up.

Snipped...
"So that's it. The main goal this year is the same as every other year. To have fun with the gang, make new friends and hopefully bump into a friend from the past. I don't get paid to ride my bike. I'm not going to act like I do. There's nothing to get stressed out about. After all, we're adults riding bicycles. Why the h*ll would you want to turn that into work?"

[jchasse]

Get back to 155 lbs. I've got a helluva long way to go.

At 40, peeling weight off is NOTHING like as easy as it used to be, so I'm not gong into this with 100% confidence... :cool: