KenshiBiker

Two reasons to keep telling your story: 1) Not everyone has heard all of it, and 2) It is one of the most inspirational stories I've ever heard - I am in awe every time I read it.

bruce19

There have been some really inspirational stories here. Thanks.

Machka 

+1

Thanks everyone!

Nachoman

[IMG][/IMG]
Probably my annual cycling pilgrimage to Santa Barbara, California, with a few old high school buddies.
Eat. Drink. Pedal.

BoSoxYacht

+1.

When I was going through my wreck/recovery, it was great to have someone to share the ordeal with.

I hope I never get to share my experience with anyone going through a similar situation, but I'd be glad to help someone going through the same thing.

alexaschwanden

I broke my old personal mile record of 42 miles on my Felt 29er and got 47.7 miles. Next goal is a metric century, then a full century.

myth001

Two main things stand out from my experience in 2014 - though not as dramatic as some of the others, but memorable nonetheless.

1. Did my first Imperial Century - we planned to do a 100m, and when we finished (almost), we realized we were getting short of just about 3m. LOL. So, took another 5m loop around the neighborhood just to ensure we had room to spare. And to make things more memorable, it turned out to be a damp/rainy/foggy day. And of course, it was all going to clear out as soon as we finished. And to think that we did all that at an avg of 30+km/h. It was as awesome feeling.

2. Had been planning a 140km local charity event for a long time. Practiced their route many a times through the season, and when it came to it, decided to start in the 30-35km/h corral. And just after 2-3km of the ride, on a 14-15% descent, someone's bottle fell into my wheel, breaking my spoke. I managed to stop in a bush on the side of the road, so a very close call. And there went all my training and $$$ as entry fees for the event. Have never felt so let down in my life. Yes, a burger was included in the entry fee along a jersey. But to pay $200+ for a burger and a jersey, sigh. Will never forget that.

bikemig 

Knocked out over 2,000 miles this year. Not a heck of a lot in the grand scheme of things but better than last year when I did around 1,000 miles. I'm planning on 3,000 next year. A few RUSA events should help with that goal, .

Clipped_in

I had a new personal best this year. I rode 640 miles (25k feet of climbing) in 6 consecutive days.

The best part is I did it with a 74 year old riding partner. He raced at the Master Nationals this fall against a guy of similar age who was part of the RAAM relay team that crushed the previous 70-74 age category record by 23 hours, 3 years ago.

I am in awe at what some of these older riders achieve.

Yankeetowner

This completes my first full calendar year back cycling. I started on my road bike in July of 2013. I am just short of 7,000 miles for 2014, and had a great time. Finished 5 Century rides, two of which had significant climbing. The highlight was was SIX GAP CENTURY in Dahlonega, Georgia. My son rode with me, and it was the most fun I have ever had on a ride. In 2015 we've both signed up for the Hat Trick Cycling Series in the High Country (Ride Beech Mountain Metric, Blood Sweat & Gears, and the Blowing Rock Fall Classic). I also did my first bike race ever 2 weeks ago and enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. I finished the first heat respectably, and while I crashed in the second heat I wasn't seriously injured and learned a lot and met some nice people. I plan on entering several races in 2015, and since I turn 65 this summer retirement should allow me to increase my total base miles to 8,000+. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Nachoman

I know what you mean. I regularly pedal with a sixty-seven year old, ex-professional athlete. The guy is as strong as an ox.

woodcraft

Tuolumne Meadows to June lake loop & back - A bike ride in Mariposa County, CA Tioga pass loop (Yosemite NP)- something on the list for some time.

1st double century since 1975

1st cyclocross race

Ride leader of the year- local club 16 ride leads.

Got GF a bike & out riding

Ride around Crater Lake - no cars day, w/ daughter

Almost 3k miles

Isaiahc72

Rode about 6,000+/- miles this year.

Completed my first 9 centuries.

Completed my first year of being car-free.

Beat my personal speed record. Previous was 43mph. New one was 45.7mph.

Beat my personal distance record for one day. Did 144.3 miles.

Built a commuter bike from the frame up.

dalameda

Completed three big climbs - Whitney Portal, Onion Valley and Horseshoe Meadow in the eastern Sierras - each one was about 5,000 feet or more of climbing. Completed 5 imperial centuries, and a total for the year of almost 2200 miles. My average speed for the year dropped by .1 mph

Bunyanderman

Did my first century, got 10 KOM's on Strava which does not mean anything, did my first group ride, and plan to start racing.

jimxyz

Splurged on a Trek Travel trip to France for the Classic Climbs of the Alps. Got to ride some amazing routes, including Alpe D'Huez - 50th birthday present from the wife, very cool!

Machka 

Any other last minute highlights?


I've been riding the hills right around where we live for several days now, and on yesterday's ride (the last ride of 2014), some of them seemed a teensy bit easier. I'm hoping that means I'm getting a teensy bit better at climbing them.

2manybikes

Cycling highlight of 2014?

I made it to 2015. (In about three hours)