ItsJustMe

Why post a 2010 poll until the end of 2010? If I make the miles I have made every year for the last 3 years, I'll make Platinum twice.

tarwheel 

My metal of choice for bicycles is titanium but steel is more affordable.

Why not a category of Unobtanium for those who ride 365 days and over 10,000 miles?

buzzman

I'm on a 6-day a week work schedule for much of the year, commute year-round and my commute is about 20 miles round trip so I ended up platinum. The requirements for platinum would feel like an easy commuting year for me.

I like that the bar was set low though because it makes me feel so macho!

rhm

Absolutely! But if I rode that kind of miles, I would barely have time to do any work at all, and I might be too tired.

Actually, if you could include the part of my commute in which I'm asleep on the train, my trusty bike folded up and sleeping behind my seat, I commuted over 22,500 miles last year!

nashcommguy

How about an over/under catagory for MOB/MIA? Miles on Bike/Miles in Auto. For the last 3 years my over/under goal was 7000/5000. 2007 my #s were 8200/4700, 2008 were 7800/4900. Last year I did 7200/5100...went from 2nd to 1st shift so I had to adjust to the different hours, so I drove alot more than I would've liked. Someone w/a long commute like mine, 40 mi rt, it's easy to hit platinum for the mileage even @ 3 days per week. Either way it's good to have cycling goals each year. This year I'm laid off AGAIN, so my mileage total for the year is about 100 mi. It's SO much more difficult to get out and ride w/nowhere to go. Am I even ALLOWED to post here, anymore? I feel like such a poseur.

JanMM

What about medals made of cadmium or lead or, better yet, mercury????
Awarded for watching a lot of TV in 2010.

bugly64

I think there should be a separate category for austere conditions.

GaryNoTrashCoug

I'll definitely earn a Platinum on number of days this year (despite having to take off for surgery again), probably not in mileage though. I'll still get a Gold in mileage for sure though.

HiYoSilver

Hmm, I like the mercury idea, even though it's not a precious metal. Magnesium/titanium are another good ones. Only room for two. So far, knowing I'm trying to get a metal helps me ride more this year. 2009, in Jan, 1 ride. 2008, in Jan, 2 rides. 2010, jan to date, 4 rides. Don't think I'll make platnium, but would like to hit gold this year.

scroca

I'd like to see the person with the highest achievment awarded kryptonite... just to see what happens at the award ceremony.

ItsJustMe

Neither is titanium. It's a very abundant metal. It's only expensive because it's a pain in the rear to work with.

mtnwalker

If we are talking metals then I would like to take brass. You know, like when someone told me I had "BRASS BALLS" for riding in 40 degree temps while it was raining. Thats what I'm talking about!

"Platinum Balls" just don't sound right.

BTW, I voted Platinum.

jefferee

So far, I'm on pace for platinum. This winter hasn't been too bad for snow so far. At the rate I'm going, I could make it before the end of September.

ks1g

Platinum, based on '09 #days (198) and mileage (4,650 total, didn't break out commuting - 1,600 if I assumed direct route each way, I frequently found a longer route). Between good fortune re: snow, meetings, acquisition of studded tires, and encouragement from family (daughter wants to be able to driver herself to school and wife doesn't want to buy another car), I'm confident I'll do or beat that in '10.

I'll take payment in platinum, too - my wife likes the color.

jeffpoulin

With nearly 90% voting platinum, it's far too easy to obtain. I think the upper end should be 200+ days AND 5000+ miles. Might as well make it a challenge.

HiYoSilver

So how is the year going? 1/6th has come and gone. Are you running on track or not?

This was interesting to review. I am 8 rides ahead of last years and on track for easy silver, but if I am just a tad more diligent, I should be able to earn gold. Note to self, focus less on how many rides ahead of last year and focus more on number needed to reach metal.

jeffpoulin

It's Feb 26th and I already have a "silver". I should reach "platinum" before the end of March. It's an interesting idea, but I'm one of those who thinks the thresholds were set far too low.

HiYoSilver

I understand. First you get people to earn metals and then you raise the standards so they mean something.

cdalefan

Hey, don't meddle!

Rumpled

I'll probably earn a copper for days and tin for miles (it's only 2.2 miles each way)

mikeybikes

I don't get it? Why is there a poll for 2010's totals when 2010 isn't even over? Maybe a better idea would have been a poll to set your goal for the year.

GriddleCakes

Five days a week to school in the winter, five days a week to work in the summer. Days off only for deep snow. Miscellaneous errands seven days a week all year long. Got no idea as to milage.

Bling bling, y'all.

mercator

Looks to me like the categories are too low.
Last year I did 235 days, ~4400 miles.
do I really deserve platinum? I think I'd be happy with gold

HiYoSilver

Why a poll when 2010 isn't over? If you don't know ahead of time, you can't change your frequency of riding to earn a different level metal. It' about a tiny motivation thingy.

HiYoSilver

Well time for an update again. It's the end of Aug, 3/4ths of the year. As some may know, much has changed. I no longer think I will be able to earn a GOLD metal by the end of the year. I only have 68 rides YTD, but hope to reach 128. That's just 8 rides past the minimum of 120. I had bigger hopes, but with zero, 0, rides in May and only 6 in June. The total for the year is down. It's amazing what a heart attack will do to goal setting.

I did get in 19 rides this month, so that's a new record for me, and I hope to keep on accumulating as many as possible while the weather stays nice.

Hope others are proceeding well on their goals. It would be interesting to hear progress reports from other commuters.