My last New Years (or January 4th) Resolution..
 

..in 2009, I shall not track miles.

There, I said it! I'm done! No more mileage obsession for me! I found this year numerous times where I'd obsess over the mileage even though I told myself I wouldn't, and didn't put a computer on the LHT for that specific purpose. I even caught myself beating said self up over "only" hitting 3700 miles when I thought I could make the final push to 4000 in December. In Nebraska.

Yeah.. :)

Anyway, that's my resolution. I'm going to ride to ride, aside from two rather large insane gravel rides I have coming up in 2009. Mileage is just a number, the smile on my face is the real metric I'm using in '09.

Great for you! I did set a mileage goal for 2009, but I'll take whatever I get. Years ago in my late 30's I ran pretty seriously and kept a running log for a few years. Finally stopped keeping track of miles and just enjoyed the journey. I'm sure cycling will follow the same path.

I've decided I'm not setting a mileage goal, but I am tracking miles.

For 2009, I am wiping out the remainder of my debt by April 1st. Should be pretty easy really.

Oh, and I'm thinking of putting together a Big Dummy pimped out with a Stokemonkey electric assist and Nuvinci IGH. It's going to be a beast! (If I can get over the sticker shock, that is.)

I did a similar thing. I ripped the cadence wire off my cyclometer. I do like to track my miles however.

Wow! That is a BIG statement. Good for you. I am always amazed how the rides that I have enjoyed the most, were the ones that when finished, I looked at the computer and thought "huh, didn't realize I went that far" Conversely, when I pre-planned a 30-40 mile ride, I would find myself grinding my teeth thinking, "crap, I am only 1/5 the way to my end, and this hurts or that hurts".

I think each of us is wired different and therefore our goal will be different. I have people around me, who can not accept the concept of not winning, of not always besting theirselves or those around them. I on the other hand could give a crap less. I like to finish what I start, but if finishing is going to be a bigger problem then not, I can turn around and not feel any remorse.

I like to consider every ride an adventure and not a routine. i don't like routines (another wiring issue).

bdinger, you did things last year that had most of us in total amazement. Your "Gravel Road" adventure was on the top of best posts of the year for me. I do remember you lamenting about not reaching the golden nugget of mileage on that trip. As I read that, I kept laughing and shaking my head thinking, "Dude, you have climbed a mountain compared to many of us, and yet you are mentally beating yourself over a few additional miles"

Good luck to you. You were one of my heros before this declaration.
Jay

I didn't track mileage in 08. I put my computer back in service on New Years eve.

We'll see how it goes. I don't know that it will be an obsession, but it will help keep me honest as far as reaching some training needs in the near term.

My mileage "goal" is what the total is at the end of the year, and how much fun it was! If I get in 10 and not 50 thats ok.

I don't do mileage goals. My goal is number of days a week that I bike. My wife are biking together and we do it 4 days a week - like a religion.

Mileage varies but we do keep minimums in mind when we go. These minimums creep up wards.

This works for both of us.

Wow I'm the exact oppistite as you. I need goals as I have a goal driven mentality. If I have no goal I do nothing except sit on coach and eat chips. Even if I don't make the goal I still strive for it. I learned a long time ago that if I miss a goal because of things I have no control over than I don't feel bad. It's the stuff I do control that the goal helps me with.

Wow, I'm humbled, thank you! I came to this realization myself last year when I started riding my hardrock, which was sans computer, as I lost my faith in my computer-equipped bike. When I bought the LHT I figured I'd give it a shot to try to get in more of the spirit of the bike and because I could use the money for more upgrades! ;)

I am so with you on routines. SO with you.

That's one thing I'm mixed on, to be honest, because I have some definite training goals in '09 that require lots of work. I'm going to try to instead focus on length of the ride time-wise and some goals during it. Crossing my fingers. :)

See, that's the absolutely perfect attitude to have I think. That keeps it fun, and I wish I could track miles and still think that way :)

There you go! That's precisely what I'm doing, trying to go for time, not miles. I'm crossing my fingers.. :)

Yeah see, I'm similar, but at the same time I really obsess over stuff. So I get to the point where I nonsensically guilt myself over things. Like.. getting "only" a 20 miler in, instead of 25. Or 135 instead of 150. The list goes on forever. There's the other side where without a goal I could fail.. but I'm hoping that doesn't happen. Really hoping.

In my experience it did, but everyone is different. I initially set a goal then I thought more and more - and it already started getting to me. By yesterday - January 3rd - I was in the throes of guilt for not riding yet in 2009 (moving.. never.. again..) and said "enough!" :)

It's going to kill me not to track, Neil. Good luck on your journey, with you I know it's more about the journey anyway, I wish I was wired that way :)

Dude.. the jealousy. Seriously. But why a Stokemonkey? Just build up the legs, you can do it!!

I never "got" cadence. I mean, I know you should go at a certain cadence blah blah blah, but I'm glad I never tried to watch it. I know I mash, and I'm proud of it. The monster mash. Okay, I must have more coffee...

For the loads the legs won't carry, of course! I plan on loading that baby up.

Yea, my biggest goal is the 480 miles in a week from Dallas to Corpus. I don't have to ride all of it to meet my primary goal of riding with as many disabled Vets as possible once we reach Austin and make our way to Corpus.

I do want to do everything I can to make it all the way to Austin under my own power though. After that, whether I ride or SAG is more driven by time considerations in getting to the next Soldier Ride location.

Once this ride is done, all of my other goals become "nice to do" goals except for the October Livestrong Challenge in Austin. It has some close personal meaning to me just like the Soldier Ride does. I look at who both of these rides are for and a bit of personal suffering or discomfort becomes a bit less meaningful.

I need miles to focus on other goals. But, I am also going to be doing time things, and I will put time and miles together. Good for you to make a choice that fits your needs.