My last New Years (or January 4th) Resolution..
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Chubby super biker
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.)
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.)
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I did a similar thing. I ripped the cadence wire off my cyclometer. I do like to track my miles however.
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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 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
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
Mileage varies but we do keep minimums in mind when we go. These minimums creep up wards.
This works for both of us.
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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.
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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 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 am so with you on routines. SO with you.
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.
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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.
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.)
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 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...
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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.
Last edited by txvintage; 01-04-09 at 08:45 PM.
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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.
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2006 Jamis Explorer 2.0
2000 Specialized Hardrock (bought used)
Swim, Bike, Run and sounds like fun