Originally Posted by
oddjob2
With only a month left and an early arrival of winter in a large part of the country, 2018 is quickly coming to a close. So have you met your cycling goals which may include the following:
Riding – distance, hours, frequency, fitness?
Didn't ride quite as much as I really wanted to. I had hoped for a 2000 mile year, but as of today I am still 267 miles short, and with the snow and the cold here in northern Illinois I'm not feeling confident that I will make it. Fitness was not ever where I wanted it to be, and lately I not been taking care of myself as much as I should. The cold and dark of winter is really quite demoralizing for me, but I'm hoping to turn that around! My last ride was only 12 miles, and I barely managed that!
Touring/Vacations – any memorable tours, charitable events, vacation(s)?
No tours or riding vacations, but I did ride my first 200K late this summer. Planning on doing more next year!
Bike Collection – additions, reductions, grail bikes?
I've managed to keep the number fairly consistent this year.
Reductions:
One bike that I regret purchasing (Schwinn Mirada) I basically gave away to get it out of my garage
Raleigh Technium Pre
2017 GT Karakoram (upgraded to a better MTB)
1985 Schwinn Tempo (frame is cracked at the BB shell/downtube joint) I do still physically have the bike, but it doesn't get out on the road anymore.
Additions:
1981 Trek 716 (not a grail bike, but the nicest frameset I've ever had)
2010 Banshee Paradox MTB (replaced the GT above)
Velo Orange Polyvalent MKIII - My most-ridden bike since the Tempo broke. It's a bit of a truck, but with 650b x 38 tires, fenders, and a handlebar bag its just so comfortable and practical! I love being able to carry stuff with me, and the low trail front end has been a big hit with me.
As for next year, I'm hoping to hit 3000 miles total. Of those, I would like to do at least 2 or 3 200K brevets, and if those go well I would like to attempt a 300K brevet in late summer.
I would like to keep the number of bikes at the current number or less, but I don't know which ones would be on the chopping block if I wanted to bring the number down.
1) Trek 716 - this one likely isn't going anywhere. Planning on this being my brevet bike next year. Currently pricing a 650b, low trail conversion (spoiler alert, it's not going to be cheap)
2) Velo Orange Polyvalent - Just overall such a solid, practical touring bike. It's got all of the braze-ons for racks and fenders, it's comfortable, and overall I love how it's set up. It would be hard to let this one go, too.
3) 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2 - my only unmolested* vintage bike in original condition. I like to keep one bike around that has the same components it did when it rolled off the assembly line. *I have converted it to 700c with a spare wheelset, and am planning on re-building the original high flange hubs with new 700c rims and butted spokes. I like having something *original*, and it's chrome! This one would be hard to give up
4) Banshee Paradox 29er - not going anywhere unless it breaks. I love this MTB!