ill.clyde

Getting ready to head upstairs to do the Zwift thing, but before I did I was looking at my stats for the year. I don't think I'll be riding tomorrow or Saturday, or even Sunday really (we have our family Christmas on Saturday and my pain cave will be occupied).

So I'll finish the year with over 2,300 miles. I went back to this year's goals thread, and my goal was 2,000 miles, so hey, I hit that and passed it Not bad for someone who wasn't even sure he could get back to loving cycling like he used to. I'd wanted to lose 50 pounds ... managed to lose 30 (though I'm up a few over the holidays no doubt). My last goal (aside from getting a new bike for hitting my goals) was to find my cycling joy again, and I did that, so for me personally, 2017 was a great success. Now if I can just get that last 20 pounds off

Not sure what my goals for 2018 are going to be ... going to think about them while Zwifting this morning, but to start with I'm really hoping for 4,000 miles. I have a few rides I have in mind too ... so I'll be listing them a bit later.

So what's on your list for 2018?

Mark Stone

Good thread.

My goal for 2018 will not be based on mileage, but on frequency. I plan on maintaining at least 4 times per week of aerobic work both using bicycling and aerobic walking. As of this morning I am maintaining (successfully throughout 2017) a 90+ pound weight loss, so add the goal of weight maintenance -- and that's about it for me. In my experience (YMMV) diet has been more important than exercise in weight loss/maintenance, so I'm keeping an eye on correct eating.

MikeRides

Congrats on surpassing your 2017 goals ill.clyde!

2017, for me was a bust. I didn't track a single mile ridden other than the two charity rides I did (adding up to ~150 miles), I was on the bike a handful of times but am doubtful I rode over 500 miles this year. As a result, my stress snacking syndrome(SSS) came back which led to my weight also going up giving me back my Clydesdale status.

I'm hopeful to turn it all around in 2018. Making a cliche new year's resolution to eat better, and ride more. Hoping to lose ~15 pounds to put me at 195# by December 31, 2018. More importantly, my one and only cycling goal is to ride at least 300 miles a month. I'm hopeful I can return to doing 25-30 miles M-W-F and 50+ miles on Sundays. I am also continuing my annual tradition of participating in two 50 mile charity rides next year.

SethAZ 

My 2018 goal will be to ride 7000 miles. After a two-year total hiatus from cycling I started riding again in late August of this year, and am currently sitting at 2270 miles for the year. I've been sick for the last two days so I got zero miles in yesterday, but I'm feeling a little better today and I'll be going out for a ride shortly. If I can finish the week very strong I may break 2500 miles for the year. Factoring in the low mileage I got in for that first month or two after I started riding again, I think 7000 is a reasonable goal.

I'm currently saving up some pennies in a separate account, and when it adds up to $833 I'll be buying the Quarq DFour power meter and installing it on my bike (actually need a little more than that since I'll need a new BB too). I'm very interesting in measuring my actual FTP, seeing real calorie burn measurements, etc. I think it will enhance my training and give me some new things to set goals for.

PdalPowr

My Spring/Summer challenge is to beat my old record of an estimated 1200 kilometers.
I hope to have an odometer by then.

aplcr0331

1. Get below 200lbs for the first time in over a decade.
2. Complete 6 races, upgrade to Cat 4.
3. PR my local HC.
4. Do more group rides, perhaps integrate with a small group of other cyclist to go on weekly rides with.
5. Average TSS up to 500 (336 this year) per week for the year, and average hours per week up to 7.5hrs (4.75 this year).


I hit a little above 3K for mileage, but am more focused on time spent on the bike and training score than total mileage for next year. I'll spend more time on the trainer since I'm planning on one to two rides per week during the nice weather this year, where I used to pack it away as soon as the snow melted and I could ride outside.

aplcr0331

More and more people are realizing this. I'd say the old 80/20 rule of diet and exercise is more like 95/5 or maybe even 97/3. I lost 30 pounds in 2.5 months with no exercise. I quit riding mid September (outside of two rides in October) and I lost that weight based on diet alone. During this summer I was averaging close to 8 hours a week on the bike (I have a long commute) but topped out at 247lbs.


It's ALL diet. The "exercise" of cycling or whatever is for mental health and physiological health (equally important in my book and maybe more so).


Great job on the 90lbs loss!

Stormsedge

Goal: 100 miles a week.
Goal: One event a month either 100k or 100 mile.
Challenge: Resist urge to buy another bike.

skidder

A few, 1 thru 3 in Southern California, #4 in Northern California.

1. Bicycle 5 days a week, average 17 miles per ride, and that'll get me to 4500 miles by year's end.
2. Ride San Luis Obispo to Orange County (280 miles, 4-5 day ride). This was supposed to take place over Christmas break but got thwarted by the Thomas Wildfire in the Ventura/Santa Barbara area and a Homeless camp problem along the local (to me) Santa Ana River Trail - see the "Santa Ana River Trail - Less Safe Now?" thread in the Southern California regional forum for more details.
3. Ride the length of Catalina Island from Avalon to Parsons Landing and back (its off the coast of Los Angeles).
4. Hill climbs in the San Francisco Bay area - Mt. Diablo, Mt Hamilton, Mt Tamalpais, and a few others to be determined based on vacation time.

sdmc530

I like this. Good goals folks. I had a great 17 lost 60lbs.

For 2018 I hope to;

Drop 26 more lbs and get to 250.
Bike 2000 miles
3 charity events
And finally get the traditional century knocked out.

jbell_64

I hope to do 2 centuries, 1 metric and 1 imperial.

pdlamb

Mileage: shooting for 6,000 miles next year. "Only" 4000-odd this year.


Diet: Disqualify myself from this forum! If I lose as much next year as I did this year, I'll not be overweight for the first time since before my younger daughter was born (she's 30 now).


Long rides: I'd like to get in shape to complete at least another 200k, maybe a 300k, next year. Haven't ridden a century in two years.


Fun rides: Trying to decide between a tour of northern Wisconsin next August or the southern half of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

indyfabz

Do at least 2 week+ unsupported tours. One may be to or from my 35th high school reunion in western Mass.

Mark Stone

Thanks!

I'm still thinking 80/20 because exercise (especially aerobic) is an important factor in creating/maintaining mitochondria in the muscles, which increases calorie consumption. Refer to Covert Bailey's material ("Fit or Fat") which provides pretty good documentation.

aplcr0331

See my post where I mention "physiological health".


I'm not sure about you but as a fat guy I'll use any manner of excuse to keep eating ****ty (and thus not lose weight or even gain weight). If you're able to lose and maintain with 80/20 awesome. But for a lot of fat people, we make too many excuses. I'm sore, I don't feel like it, I'll clean my plate and everyone else at the tables plate. Pizza taste great (instead of opting for a healthier option) whatever.


I'm a big fan of owning your ****. Saying 80/20 for me gives me an out and an excuse. When I say 97/3 I'm saying that 97% of the time it's all what you put in your mouth (97% is realistic, allows for a cheat meal here and there or cheat weeks during the holidays) but it puts everything in your control. You control what goes into your mouth, at all times. I've never been force fed in my life. Nobody makes me take an extra cookie, nobody forces me to eat too many wings at the Super Bowl party, etc. My way says that if you take control, then you have control.


Saying it's all under your control (97%) is a freeing idea. It's also a difficult idea. Using my rule leaves no room for excuses. I have a thyroid condition, I'm depressed, I'm happy I'm going to overeat. If you take responsibility for it then it can open up a grand view of things. If you constantly blame anything other than your human condition that whenever your elbow bends your mouth opens, you make excuses.


I'm down to 210 from 300. I'm going to 185. Even then I'll still be considered overweight. I got to 300lbs by my own actions. I'm getting down to 185 by my own actions.


97% leaves me no wiggle room. It's all on me. I can get to 185 without ever having to pedal another stroke. And so can everyone else. That's my point with the ratio.


I like your idea as well. Again, good luck to you on your journey.

Mark Stone

Good post. Everyone is different in regards to needs and requirements for weight loss. 90 pounds of weight loss is a huge success - congratulations!

copperfind

Mine is pretty simple... Dont be fat.

sdmc530

Lol. For the win. Added this to my list as well

copperfind

srestrepo

i broke 1250 miles but only just. didn't maintain my weight at all and hover around the 260 pound mark. I'll be taking heed to the diet is more important than the work aspect of my life in 2018 for sure.

i'd like to complete one 50 mile bike ride by the end of spring, one 75 mile bike ride in the fall and break the 2,000 mile mark for the year. modest by some comparisons, but a huge deal for me. either way, best of luck to you all.

442dude

Planning my first ever tour - Starting in Portland, ME and ending somewhere north of Boston, maybe Newburyport, Mass. A little more than 100 miles over 2 days (maybe 3 with sightseeing) down the Eastern Trail. Still working out the details and trying to find someone to make the trip with. If not I might just do it solo.

In the mean time: On the indoor trainer at least 5 times a week till spring. Was never a big winter rider...

McCallum

Get my FAT A$$ on my bike or at least get on my feet and WALK!
Stop putting the wrong things in my BIG MOUTH!!

maletero

I just moved back to Tucson after 15 years away, and just got back outside on the bike after a few years of a weird work schedule that didn't allow for anything more than 45 minutes/day on a trainer. It's nice to be back outside!

My goal for 2018 is to ride the Tour de Tucson, a century I didn't finish last time I was in town because of a busted spoke at mile 57. No idea how many miles that'll yield, but that's the big goal. Third Saturday in Nov.

(New here, please be gentle.)

ericy

For 2018, I want to ride a *lot* more than I rode in 2017. This past year, I didn't get on the bike until April or May, and even when the weather was nicer, I was too busy with other things and it just didn't happen anywhere nearly as often as I would have really liked.

I got on Zwift and I really like it, so as soon as I get back home I will be able to get back on the bike and ride some more, no matter how crummy the weather outside. I am still gradually increasing the length and difficulty of the rides I am doing.

pdlamb

Be careful with goals like that. I tried for 3-4 years to top 2,000 miles, without success. Then I decided to start bike commuting, and the next year I rode over 3,000 miles! Haven't had a 2,000 mile year yet.

Just keep riding consistently, and the miles will add up before you know it!