Goal Rides?

[rjm1982]

So, Im trying to set myself a goal and a timeframe.

I've only ridden 4.7ish miles at once so far (though, it was grass/hardpack/gravel mix).

I want to do 15 by Sept, so this is the route I'm going to work up to...

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/va/chesapeake/741223245

I keep thinking i'm just going to "go do it", but now, having set an actual trail, I have a real target...

Anyone else? (this is where all you century guys get to brag!! :) )

[superdex]

YOU CAN DO IT! Keep it up, give yourself plenty of time, enjoy the ride, and you'll be there in no time!


My goal rides for the year are behind me:
* I wanted to ride to Echo Lake from the girlfriend's house and back. I mapped it to be 80ish round trip, turned out to be a lot more. It was exhausting, and after 97 miles I sagged it in, but the important part of the ride --the 50+ miles of climbing to Echo Lake-- was accomplished.

* The Big Ride of the Year for me was the Triple Bypass, 120 miles, 10,000+ feet of climbing. Took me 12 hours total (10 hrs of ride time), but I did it in great spirits (90 pictures taken!) and floated on a week-long high afterwards :D

I have one more event, the Hotter-n-Hell, but for some reason I'm not all that worried about it (after the other rides this summer, ya think?). It'll be good to meet and ride with a buncha BFers :)

[BeckyW]

Goals are SO motivating to me! I started out the summer riding 1.5 miles, so my first goals were to do 3.. then 5.. then 8.. 12.. 16.. (that's where I am now, and when 16 becomes easier in a week or so, I'll go for 20).

But aside from arbitrary distances, training FOR bigger goals has been really motivating. Right now I'm focusing on keeping my cadence up and building distance/saddle time on flat-ish routes, to prepare for the Mille Lacs ride next month. Then I want to work on hills, so I can join, and keep up with, some local group rides this fall or next spring (generally 25-40 miles in rolling hills). I'm thinking about riding the Katy Trail (225 miles across Missouri, which I'd probably do in 5-6 days) in March-April, then just building up distance to prepare for RAGBRAI next July.

You know... I never thought of myself as Type A... :rolleyes:

[piper_chuck]

I'm keeping things simple right now. My "goal" is to increase my mileage about 10% per week, work in one long ride on Sat or Sun, and ride at least 3 or 4 times per day. When I complete a long ride, I look for a route that's slightly longer.

[uncadan8]

I try to set a goal for every ride that I do. Now, I am a very training oriented person, so this comes easily for me. But here are some examples of goals that I might set. Distance and time are not the only goals to shoot for:
1. Use the big chainring for the whole ride (I live in VERY hilly country).
2. Use the small chainring for the whole ride (Forces me to use a faster cadence).
3. Pick an average speed that is 1 mph faster than the last time I did the same route.
4. Stand on the climbs (Forces me to work anaerobically).
5. Think about pedaling circles instead of squares.
6. Sprint to all the speed limit signs along the route I take.
7. When using a heart rate monitor, I try to keep myself in a particular HRZ.

If you focus on some of the things that help make you a better rider, you will find the miles slipping by. Sometimes picking a particular distance might put up a mental roadblock for you. Changing up your goals makes the riding fun and gets you out there for different purposes.

[Scummer]

I'm working towards July 23rd 2008. I am determined to attend the Rocky Mountain 1200 in British Columbia.
I'm going to get some rollers for the winter time so I can train inside the house as well.

To finish a 1200km event as the result of my training and weightloss would be the ultimate achievement for now.

[b_young]

Keep it up you will be bust goals like crazy.

I finished my goal about 2 months ago. I rode from home to the in-laws 110 miles. it included a 1200 ft climb in less than 3 miles and the entire trip was at a slight up hill. I really should have started there and rode home.:o

I had planned on riding across state with a friend next month ~280 miles in 4 days. But work scrapped that :mad: so it is my new goal for next spring. That will be my first semi-tour and I can't wait.:)

[Caincando1]

I had hope to complete a century before the snow flies. With my soft tissue issue, I've dropped that down to a metric century before the snow flies.

Next year... RAGRAI 08!

[Tom Stormcrowe]

I had a goal ride for this year, but didn't make the Lottery for Lotoja. So....next year, I hope!

Goal for next summer: June 21, 2008, Michigan Line near South Bend to the Ky Line by Evansville, Indiana in less than 24 hours. I'll need SAG crew for this, any Hoosier or nearby Volunteers? This will be ~307 miles in less than 24 hours. If anyone wants to ride it with me, that'd be cool too!

[KingTermite]

My next goal ride (no riding until Aug 26th - going on vacation) which I hope to be within the next few weeks to month is 50 miles.

I'm hoping a metric century by September or October.

I'll re-evaluate then.

[Spartan112]

My goal for this year is 30 miles on road terrain. I've done 24 on a MUP and 21.5 today so I think it's attainable. We'll see where that leads me, but I hope to do the Pan Mass Challenge at some point which is about 192 Mi. over 2 days. Fundraising will probably be the biggest challenge.

[clearwaterms]

well having done the 20 miler, and being able to do 20 miles without sweat now... my next goal is 35 miles. im hoping to possibly try it on sunday.

[BCIpam]

I already did my goal rides for the year - In July I did a ride through Montana that had 3 days of back to back centuries (well actually high 90's). Since then I have become a slug. And am in fact turning into a big fat slug! I lost 10 lbs before the ride and some more on it and have gained that all back! Help me get motivated. The cycling spirit is draining from my body as we speak! :(

[Tom Stormcrowe]

I already did my goal rides for the year - In July I did a ride through Montana that had 3 days of back to back centuries (well actually high 90's). Since then I have become a slug. And am in fact turning into a big fat slug! I lost 10 lbs before the ride and some more on it and have gained that all back! Help me get motivated. The cycling spirit is draining from my body as we speak! :(

I could chase you with a cattle prod.......:p That'd motivate ya pretty good.;)

Get out on your bike!

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Neil, I can almost absolutely guarantee that you'll finish up that ride and do it well.;)Almost every cyclist has a century in them, if they want to ride it.

Mine is the MS City to Shore, September 29. 104 miles from Cherry Hill, NJ, to Ocean City. Uncadan, one of the posters to this thread, is my team captain and mentor. I hope to do him proud. Me prouder, of course.

About two weeks beforehand, I'm riding this route for practice:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Jeffersonville-PA-Hawthorne-NJ

There's a bail point at about mile 70 if either myself or the experienced cyclist I am riding with has a problem.

Other than that, my immediate goal is to get over my headcold. I've ridden less than 9 miles this week.

[uncadan8]

My biggest goal for this year is finshing LOTOJA. For those who don't know the ride, it is 206 miles in one day with a time cutoff of 8:30PM. My start time should be somewhere between 6:30 and 7:00 AM, so that gives me about 14 hours.

My other goals have been to do some of the rides that I did last year in less time. So far I have smashed through all my previous records quite easily. Another goal was to do a couple of races this year. My first race was the Hudson River Ramble 12 Hour Challenge in Schuylerville, NY. I rode 160 miles in 9:15 hours. It hurt. A lot.

[uncadan8]

You've done me proud already, Historian.
Almost every cyclist has a century in them, if they want to ride it.

Mine is the MS City to Shore, September 29. 104 miles from Cherry Hill, NJ, to Ocean City. Uncadan, one of the posters to this thread, is my team captain and mentor. I hope to do him proud. Me prouder, of course.

About two weeks beforehand, I'm riding this route for practice:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Jeffersonville-PA-Hawthorne-NJ

There's a bail point at about mile 70 if either myself or the experienced cyclist I am riding with has a problem.

Other than that, my immediate goal is to get over my headcold. I've ridden less than 9 miles this week.

[uncadan8]

Go ride the nearest hill and see how much slower you are than in July. That should motivate you!
I already did my goal rides for the year - In July I did a ride through Montana that had 3 days of back to back centuries (well actually high 90's). Since then I have become a slug. And am in fact turning into a big fat slug! I lost 10 lbs before the ride and some more on it and have gained that all back! Help me get motivated. The cycling spirit is draining from my body as we speak! :(

[The Historian]

My biggest goal for this year is finshing LOTOJA. For those who don't know the ride, it is 206 miles in one day with a time cutoff of 8:30PM. My start time should be somewhere between 6:30 and 7:00 AM, so that gives me about 14 hours.

My other goals have been to do some of the rides that I did last year in less time. So far I have smashed through all my previous records quite easily. Another goal was to do a couple of races this year. My first race was the Hudson River Ramble 12 Hour Challenge in Schuylerville, NY. I rode 160 miles in 9:15 hours. It hurt. A lot.

I've posted this link before, but here it is again - Uncadan's account of his 12 hour race. Frankly, I'm prouder of him for doing this, and doing it so well, than I am of some of my own rides.

http://uncledanbiking.blogspot.com/2007/07/hudson-river-ramble-12-hour-race-twelve.html

Two excerpts:

"I had several goals for this race:
1. Don't embarrass myself by doing something stupid (there is always a high probability of that happening).
2. Ride the whole twelve hours.
3. Ride 200 miles.
4. Ride my "forever" pace of 16.5 to 17.0 mph.
5. Have fun."

"At 8 AM, the race director said go, and off we went! In one of the proudest moments of my life, I hung with the group at a pace of 22 to 25 mph for the first two miles, and then we hit Bacon Hill. I think they called this Bacon Hill because by the end of the day, this hill would have you feeling like a piece of bacon - salt crusted, burnt, and completely unhealthy."

[Scummer]

I already did my goal rides for the year - In July I did a ride through Montana that had 3 days of back to back centuries (well actually high 90's). Since then I have become a slug. And am in fact turning into a big fat slug! I lost 10 lbs before the ride and some more on it and have gained that all back! Help me get motivated. The cycling spirit is draining from my body as we speak! :(

Just hop on the bike for short rides on a daily basis and do some exploration work on the weekends. Find new path, streets, sights. This should give you something to motivate yourself.

Thomas

[BCIpam]

Go ride the nearest hill and see how much slower you are than in July. That should motivate you!

I have already done that... it's amazing how poorly I did. I went to my hill climbing class and had to bail the last 5 miles. I guess I peaked for that Montana ride and of course, before I took off on it, I did train. The hot weather has kept me off the bike and walking/hiking instead. I have two rides this weekend - a century (Cool Breeze) on Saturday and a mountain bike ride Sunday. I might downgrade the century to a metric because I haven't been training and since there is a fire (the Zaca Burn) burning up nearby (I have excuses already!!!). The MTB ride will be what it is. I hope I can make it.

I promise to ride tonight no matter what... :rolleyes:

[BCIpam]

Just hop on the bike for short rides on a daily basis and do some exploration work on the weekends. Find new path, streets, sights. This should give you something to motivate yourself.

Thomas

Good idea - I might just try this tonight. Stick to bike paths and explore neighborhoods. Not ride hard, just ride.

[uncadan8]

I promise to ride tonight no matter what... :rolleyes:

Yay!!:D:D

[Scummer]

Good idea - I might just try this tonight. Stick to bike paths and explore neighborhoods. Not ride hard, just ride.

Yeah! Just take the good ol' bike out for a spin. Just keep spinning.. just keep spinning..

[Jerseysbest]

Don't be afraid of pushing yourself to do long distances. I jumped from doing 30 mile rides to 60 mile rides; I just pushed myself one day to do 60 and it was like it opened up a door. I used to get all fatigued right at 28-29 miles but pushing myself further makes 30 miles seem like nothing.

[Jerseysbest]

I wanted to ride to Echo Lake from the girlfriend's house and back. I mapped it to be 80ish round trip, turned out to be a lot more. It was exhausting, and after 97 miles I sagged it in, but the important part of the ride --the 50+ miles of climbing to Echo Lake-- was accomplished.

When I hiked up Mount Evans, there were guys (and gals) flying past me on bikes not far from the summit and well past Summit Lake (mid Sept after the road was closed to cars). Unbelievable, I just flew out the day or two before from sea level, but man I was having trouble keeping a good pace just walking. Kudos on reaching Echo Lake, especially when doing 97 miles.

[Mr. Beanz]

Don't be afraid of pushing yourself to do long distances. I jumped from doing 30 mile rides to 60 mile rides; I just pushed myself one day to do 60 and it was like it opened up a door. I used to get all fatigued right at 28-29 miles but pushing myself further makes 30 miles seem like nothing.

So true. I've had so many partners scared to go from 25 to 40 mile rides. It's tough the first time towards the end. Usually the scond and third time, it only gets easier. I've also had many do the jump with no problems. JUST DO IT!:D

As far as goals, I need to set some for myself. I did great for 4 years. 23 centuries in one year with over 7,000 miles. Last couple of years, I've done 4,000 but just lacked the training attitude. Two years has been enough kick back, so next year I aim to do the California Triple Crown. CTC is 3 double centuries (200 mile rides) in one year.

My other goal is to complete the King of the Mtn Challenge which is 3 designated centuries in one year. Each ride has over 10,000ft of climbing. I did one of the rides this year just to see what it was like. I did ok, but next year, I plan to lose the extra 20 I've been carrying and kick some ***!:D

[astropuppy]

My - 2008 - goal is to ride across the state of idaho in one day in celebration of my 50th birthday.

http://wallace-id.com/CdA_trail/CdA_map_Jeff1.jpg

Currently doing 20 mile rides.

[Pinyon]

I have two big goal rides this year, and both fund college scholarships and some other local charities (a volunteer fire department, bicycle lobby/legal organizations, etc.).

The first one is on August 27, and is the Horsetooth Double Dip (http://www.horsetoothdoubledip.com), which is a 105 mile ride with LOTS of hills. Since I live in the same town where the ride takes place, I've been riding 1/2 the route twice a week for the last few weeks. I've had a couple of injuries, that were not that serious, but kept me off the bike for about 4 weeks total this season, so, I don't even know if I can finish this big hill ride this year. The chances are very good that I'll bonk no matter how well I handle my food on the ride - just too many hills for me. I'm going to give it a shot, though, and use this ride as a baseline of comparison for upcoming years.

The second ride takes place on September 9, and is the Buffalo Boulder Classic (http://www.buffalobicycleclassic.com/). This ride was my first-ever century last year, and I had originally hoped to finish it this year in under 5:30, but I will be happy with 6:10 or better in my current condition.

Have fun out there!

[JeeperTim]

For me, I want biking to stay fun. I don't set too agressive of goals because I don't want it to be like work. I'd like to be able to do a century on a whim by the end of the year. I have done 52 miles already, and it was not bad. The weather was great and I felt good - so I just kept riding. 40 miles is still a workout and still fun - I'm happy here for now.

I too want to do the Katy trail some day - have not set a date though. I might not try to do it all the first time - maybe just do the popular part near Columbia first.

[BeckyW]

I was looking at a map of the Katy trail at my LBS this afternoon.. parts of it are >5% grade... I thought it was flat! Definitely need to get better on hills to prepare for that one.

[JeeperTim]

One of the guys I work with lives in Macon Mo - there is a bike group there that does part of the Katy once in a while - usually 20 or 30 miles I think. That might be fun. They sound like I might be able to keep up. ;) I don't think all that trail is paved - something to think about.

Link:
http://www.bikekatytrail.com/

From DNR site:
Is the trail paved?
The trail is not paved in the traditional sense. It is covered in "pug," which is a crushed limestone surface that when hard and packed offers many of the qualities of concrete.

[Wogsterca]

Don't be afraid of pushing yourself to do long distances. I jumped from doing 30 mile rides to 60 mile rides; I just pushed myself one day to do 60 and it was like it opened up a door. I used to get all fatigued right at 28-29 miles but pushing myself further makes 30 miles seem like nothing.

Typically if you ride 100km a week on a regular basis, you can push to ride 100km in a day, providing you have the time.....

[tomdaniels]

Well I did my second longest personal ride ever today. 28 miles in Iowa. The other was in Lafayette, IN (34miles as part of the Wabash Century), but that was 8 years ago. My goal is RAGBRAI next year.

Note to self: Pack snacks and an electrolyte on longer rides. I started to cramp today a bit.

JeeperTim and Becky, I want to do the Katy Trail some day too!

[rjm1982]

I got a good ride in today with a coworker...

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/va/norfolk/78781071

Not my 10 yet, but man, it felt GREAT!

[The Historian]

I got a good ride in today with a coworker...

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/va/norfolk/78781071

Not my 10 yet, but man, it felt GREAT!

Hi RJM,

With your enthusiasm, you should be able to ride ten miles now. I remember how thrilled I was when I passed the ten mile mark. Oddly enough, I didn't mention it in my ride report. Here it is:

***************
March 22, 2007
Enough with this week's short trips, let's get to the details of a real ride:

15.17 miles, over the Perkiomen Trail from the Schuylkill Trail connection to Point Indian Head, and the Schuylkill Trail from the connection down past the Betzwood picnic area. Top speed was 17 miles an hour - and yes, I was a bit frightened to travel so fast. During my time on the bike, I redid my 3 mile time trial, and stunned myself by clocking 15:03. That's an improvement of 4 and a half minutes!

There were other improvements as well. I rode up some hills I couldn't take on previous rides. I discovered the cause of the squeak in the front wheel - the quick release isn't tight enough. I felt more comfortable on the bike. Goodness, I love to ride!
***********

You've displayed more sheer enthusiasm for a lifestyle change and for cycling than perhaps anyone here aside from Tom Stormcrowe. My helmet is off to you, and I hope to read of you riding in RAAM in a couple of years. Goodness, how you love to ride!

[Stujoe]

Prior to being off the bike for a month do to a work trip, I was doing just over 30 miles on my long days and working toward a goal of a half century. I have the route planned.

I did 16 miles two days ago for my first ride since the trip and it was not too bad. This weekend should tell me how much I have been set back for distance. This is all on roads and asphalt trails.

I did a century once - 20 plus years ago - and know what it took then to do it. I am not near there yet this time around!

*I too am looking at doing part of the Katy Trail one day.