will dehne

I have developed these biking related goals for me:
Goal #1 I do everything I can think of to make my standard 50 mile/day ride faster and easier.
Goal #2 I am planning to do anual cross America tours until my body/mind will not let me.
Goal #3 I hope to succeed in getting my son and one of my friends to join me in #2.

Rick@OCRR

Yes big john,

Funny you should mention that! When I was nearing the top of Onyx, I could hear voices, but due to the low oxygen levels, and overall "used up" state of my mind at that point, I thought they weren't "real." I remember thinking "Now I know I'm really out of it!"

But then (a few vertical feet later) I actually recognized a voice (Lynn Katano), and at that moment it became clear to me that I was really going to make it. It was like grasping victory out of the pits of hopelessness, or at least it seemed like that at the time. Yeah, must have been the altitude!

For those 50+ riders not intimately familiar with Breathless Agony, pls. ref:

https://www.cyclingpros.com/onyx.htm

Notice how "onyx" is actually part of the web address. Is that sick or what?

Rick / OCRR

Louis

One of my life's heroes, Japhy Ryder.

Jet Travis

We know that, son. It's all in your dossier.

big john

+1, this is how I feel. I did start cycling to get in better shape for off-road motorcycles, but gave that up in 1990,or so.
I want to stay fit enough to enjoy the long adventure rides I love so much, but I don't mind finishing last. I guess that would be my goal, to keep doing hard rides as long as I can.

DnvrFox

Interesting results. Most of you are more "goal" oriented than I would have predicted.

Would "performance goal" have been a better descriptor, and if I had used "performance goal" would your answers have been different?

HAMMER MAN

I have always been goal oriented especially as a salesman, salesmanager,and business , had to be too be successful and stay ahead of the competition
I was goal oriented when I did alot of running always for the fastest time in marthons and 10 K
weight lifting the same as much weight as possible
raising a family about the same with morals and values as well as now with my grandchildren.

cycling pretty much so, Averaging 100-150 miles aweek and maintaining a a high average speed
I guess I have been goal oriented my whole life,funny never really thought about it.
I just have always strived to go past 100 % and find a way to achieve what ever results I needed regardless of what it is.

At 55 I don't know if I am as still goal oriented but I still drive myself to do the best in everything I do.
I have had to let up somewhat on my cycling do too arthritis, instead of hammering, more spinning and lighter reps with my weight program there are some other health issues from when I served in the military that have come back to haunt me so I just try too do the best I can and my biggest goal now is for Everyday to be a Great day enjoy my family, children, grandchildren and my wife.

bkaapcke

I'm just loking for a solid workout in my riding. I was working up to 25's and just got tired of recumbutt. I've dropped back to 15's and am much more comfortable with it. I do try to increase the intensity of the workout within the 15 mle framework. So far it's working well. Lost 60 pounds and have increased lung power and endurance a lot. For a guy who is pushing 60, I really am doing ok. bk

big john

Recumbutt?

Tom Bombadil

Yes, if it was contrasted with recreational or fitness goal.

Although for me, my primary goals were performance goals too ... just modest ones. Last year I couldn't ride 5 miles. My "performance" goal this year was to be able to ride 25-30 miles, which I exceeded by topping 40 on four occasions.

Rick@OCRR

Yes, at least for me, all goals are "performance" goals. For those that said something to the effect of "Just riding and enjoying life is my goal (or something similar)" I would reply, "That's not a goal!"

Still, maybe it is for some folks, so I'm not saying that's wrong . . . it's just not what I would consider to be a "goal."

Rick / OCRR

SSP

Since I got back into cycling (way back in 1991), I've always enjoyed challenging myself with "performance goals"...I find they're a good motivator for my training, a good way to measure my progress, and a way to keep it interesting.

This year, I've decided try my hand at bike racing and I'm currently on vacation in St. George, Utah, competing in the Huntsman World Senior Games.

In the last two days I've won a bronze and a silver medal, with two more events to go. I've posted a thread here with descriptions of the events and pictures of this incredibly beautiful area.

Leigh_caines

Leigh get off your butt and go find a goal...
Well is getting up and wacking out a few miles before hitting the coffee shop a goal?
No
Well what about doing a few tours a year is that a goal?
No...that;s escaping
Well can't escaping be a goal
MMmm...

solveg

Wow. I'm imagining a Benny Hill sketch!

solveg

You know the story of the grasshopper and the ant? I'm an ant for much of my life. On the bike, I'm a grasshopper.

However, having said that, when I break a previous record for speed or distance (or weaving handless), I get pretty jazzed. And, as a grasshopper, I look forward to the day when I wander across states eating things.

Big Paulie

I'm a big fan of Eastern metaphor, but I have no idea what in the hell yer talkin' about, lady...

solveg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ant...he_Grasshopper

Apparently also known as the "ant and the dung beetle"....

Big Paulie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ant...he_Grasshopper

Never mind...

Artkansas 

My "goals" are typically, getting to work, getting the groceries, going to Target or going out on a recreational ride to see a sight or just get away from things.

will dehne

Just food for thought:
I spend 3 hours/day out of 16 waking hours on a bike. My friends spend much more than that proportion golfing, watching TV and other non-exercise recreation. (we are retired)
I used to spend much more than that proportion sitting in cars, airports, bars, restaurants, watch TV and reading.
For some reason the 3 hours/day biking draw attention and are called obsessive as where as the other activities do not draw such comments.
Is it the result of Group-think? If someone does not conform to Group-think he/she is subject to critical comments?

PaulH

It seems that there must be a goal in order for me to ride. That goal can be getting to work, going shopping, coming home, taking my daughter someplace. Without a mission, I don't have the motivation to ride. Don't get me wrong - I love cycling - but there has to be a trip involved. I regard cycling exactly as I did when I was 12.

I've met a lot of my goals recently. In addtion to commuting to and from my new office, these have included riding to the dealer to pick up one of our cars, riding to my child's school for a meeting, and going shopping for a week's groceries. I'm always learning new routes and exploring them. It's a constant process of discovery and adventure.

Paul

Tom Bombadil

If John Ashcroft was still around, I would have reported this post to him. You need to be carefully watched.

DnvrFox

You are stating thst this group can actually think! Whoa - I doubt it!

It appears that you have some rather excellent company in the "I like goals" group. Keep it up.

detrieux

In 2006 I had a goal of riding to work at least 4 days a week and pretty much met the goal. There were some days that it was great and other days that were hard. I had a couple of hard climbs to and from work and would usually be beat by the end of the week. Take a couple of days off on the weekend to get ready for the next commuting week.

2007 I retired and had a couple goals but did not start out with those goals. I wanted to do a 200 km brevet and set a goal of 4000 miles on the road. 200 km brevet was one of the toughest rides that I have done because of the cold, rain, snow, sleet, hail and heavy winds. I was able to finish in 12 hours which I think was really great considering the conditions.

Still striving toward the 4000 mile goal. If I make it fine, if I do not fine. The goals are minor in relationship to the other more important things in life, spending time with my loving and patient wife, being involved with my son, who is in the Navy and now has a great assignment at the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey CA. Hope to go see him and take the bike to ride on the way out in different states and in California.

will dehne

Denver-
I will share with you a few dark thoughts. I like this 50+ forum and feel among friends here with common interests. Remember that I come from a town of few cyclists and friends who do not bike.
Biking is only a minor portion of my life but not unimportant.
For my other interests I go to other forums. For example: Financial Forums, Real Estate Forum, Traveling, Chess, etc.
I find it distracting to be called single minded or obsessive just because you guys see only the biking side of me. I will not bother you guys with my other interests. This is a biking forum. That does not mean that we posters have no other life.