SaiKaiTai

I've thought long and hard about posting this because I know there's gonna be some forum honcho to come long and slap my wrist for not posting this is some other long forgotten thread.
Well, screw you

Last year ended up OK.
I racked up a total of 1900-some odd miles in 2008. I was shooting for 2400 in '09 (200 per month)
OK, I didn't quite do that but I did, at least, top 2008 by riding for a little more than 2K miles in '09.
Considering I still dothe 9-5 thing and spent most of December on vacation (and off the bike) I call that "good". Even better were the intangibles I began to see. Like, spending more time in bigger gears spinning the same cadence (80-95) that I used to do in smaller gears. Like, noticing how much easier things seem to be now. I'm actually beginning to develop "form". Like, how I spend more time out of the saddle climbing up short, steep hills or sprinting as far as I can on a flat or false-flat because I can. Like, being able to climb bigger, longer hills farther in bigger gears before I have to drop to the granny. Like, seeing my HR continue to drop and my cardiologist raising my limits. Like, actually beginning to see what quads looks like.

So, yeah, I'm happy. It was a good year.

This year I shoot for 2500-3000 miles. It's gonna be hard; January is off to a bad start.
I contracted another bout of bronchitis which is slowly -too slowly- clearing up and that has cut into my riding time. My boss is now making me come into the office 3 days a week so my lunch rides are history. Household and spousal duties make it hard to get in enough long weekend rides. But, the fun is all in the trying. For me, cycling is definitely all about the journey, not the destination.

And to think, just 3 years ago (or is it 4 now? I lose track) I was sitting on the couch, 30 pounds heavier, slowly killing myself. I like this alternative MUCH better

NOS88

Hope those lungs clear up soon.

palookabutt

Aha, hooked another one!

If you're concerned about mileage, a great way to reach a mileage goal IMO is to sign up for an event that represents a challenge. For example, if you've never done more than ~30 miles at a stretch, plan to do a local 100K charity event. Making that commitment can be a great motivator, especially if you're like me and can't stand wasting a $$ entry fee.

SaiKaiTai

Concerned? Nah, not really. Smiles per mile and all that stuff. Any time I spend off the bike these days is not "happy time"
It's more a question of time. I'm not fast so any 40 or 50 mile ride, for me, is a major time commitment.
That means, on Saturdays -when I so ride- the chores don't get done. This does not make Mrs S happy.

Allegheny Jet

You must have a lot of chores or you sleep too long. 3,000 miles @ 15mph is 200 hours of work, or less than 4 hours/week.

SaiKaiTai

I *am* a late sleeper, yes. Just part of my natural rhythm. On Fridays ans Saturdays, I rarely get to bed before 2AM.

Louis

Yup, that's me too. It has had a major effect on mileage and motivation. When I was riding with a club I was practically expected to be there so I went to bed early, but nowadays my motivation has waned.

Red Rider

Good to see you're still around these parts, and staying healthy (except for bronchitis -- get well soon), and looking on the bike side of life. It gets better and better.

bobthib

To think, 8 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 6 months of chemo almost killed me. I couldn't walk across the room. I called it "crap and nap" 12/6/09 I did my first century after starting in March. 2100 mi +. I'm with ya buddy!

linux_author

keep riding, baby! my buddy and racked up nearly 5K miles between us last year, and we'll each be hitting 15K sometime this year since we started recording about four years ago...

every mile is good!

BluesDawg

You have certainly come a long way in a fairly short amount of time. Keep on keeping on.

Wildwood 

Just ride and enjoy.
I dumped the cycling computer many years ago.
Ride hard when you can, keep the Mrs. happy when you can.

stapfam

After 20 years of riding, I am in a lull right now. I blame it on the weather. Too many weekends of rain- high wind- Cold or snow and they have persuaded me to stay at home and do some chores or take the family out for the day. I am paying for it now and I know I should get out on the bike just to retain the fitness that I used to have. Problem is that I need the motivation.

Think you have just given it to me. OK- My milage is down like you. Fitness is going a bit but that can be rebuilt and when I do get out there and get riding- I really enjoy it.

So I think that you and I- and several others here- Need a plan. Something that will get us out on the bikes to get back to what we really enjoy.

So for me- January is going to be a wash out- and I have a knee problem to get over. But I reckon I have two weeks to get a couple of short rides in- or get down the shed to sort the bikes- or just watch videos of Lance in training. Come february I will set a milage goal for me of 250 miles. I will enjoy the riding when I get to it- and all it requires is the motivavtion to get out there and ride.

SaiKaiTai

And now the rains come. Finally. Can't say I'm complaining -we need the rain- but that's another week shot. Maybe.
Oh well, there's always the trainer.

Might have been able to sneak some time in today but we had a gig.
When the cyclists stop in at The Store when we're playing, I feel so envious

Meanwhile, the lungs are continuing to clear. Got my peak flow back up to 400... a week before the bronchitis, I was hitting over 450 pretty consistently.
Now I start all over again. So, the longish hard climbs we have are a ways off but I'm back to being able to do my normal 15-20 miles loops to the end of town and back.
Other than not being able to get enough air -but, then, I'm used to that- it just couldn't feel easier.

But this is NOTHING like fighting breast cancer -or any other kind- and beating it.
My hat's off to those of you here -and there a too many (and that's just the one's I know about)- who have fought the fight and won.