Originally Posted by
BikeArkansas
.... For me, riding the bicycle is not competitive. If I were racing it would be, but I am not racing. Goals help me achieve the fitness I need to feel better, and I do feel physically better than I have in years. If I were riding just for enjoyment I would not make but a few miles per ride and I would not be in the condition I am today. Goals work for me, for some they do not.
Have you considered randonneuring, i.e. non-competitive distance riding? There are a couple of rides coming up in Little Rock on October 20;
http://ultra.greengoblin.com/ for info. More info at Randonneurs USA ,
http://www.rusa.org/ .
Another goal for the non-competitive cyclist is the UMCA Year-Rounder: 12 centuries in 12 months gets you a big ugly medal. I did this last year (no mean feat with New England winters) averaging a leisurely 10 hours per century. More info at
http://www.ultracycling.com/standings/umcrules.html .
John Moore
Manchester NH