This was supposed to be a retrospective of 2014, not goals for 2015.

Moved further from work mid-year and sold car at same time. Took public transit maybe 10 days second half of year. RT commute is 47-48 miles depending on route. Takes about 3 hours a day. Commuted something like 7-8k miles for the year

My only goal was to ride over 2,000 miles which I did. These miles don't include commuting miles; they were all rides out of my front door mainly on the local MUPS. Des Moines has some great bike paths with rollers, good scenery (prairie views natch and water views), and very few other users once you get out of town (which is very cool). The longest ride I did all year was only around 50 miles.

Once we got out of the deep freeze this spring, I got back on the bike and commuted most every day for work. I don't keep track of my commuting miles. My commute is short (3 miles each way) and I don't commute every day so I probably average 24 miles a week commuting (4 days a week more or less). I didn't have any big goals for 2014 than to get on the bike which I did.

I'm looking forward to next year though as I've penciled in a bunch of rides I want to do. It's about time I did some actual long distance rides.

At the beginning of 2014, I had only one goal. I wanted to make at least 100 bike commutes. I only go into the office during the academic year and work from home one day a week even then, so this seemed like a doable, if modest goal. I hit 113 commutes this year!

In August I realized that I was within striking distance of hitting 2000 miles for the year, so I decided to make that a goal too. I hit that number on December 26.

I enjoy having some modest, quantifiable goals to pursue. I ride because I love it, not because I'm trying to hit a certain number, but the numbers are fun too! For 2015 I think I'll aim for 125 commutes and 2400 miles. I'll keep setting numerical goals as long as doing so is enjoyable.

Wishing everyone tail winds for 2015!

My goal for next year is to buy a new commuter bike now that my office building is putting in a fenced secure bike storage area in the parking garage. Most likely a Ti frame, drop bar, disc brake bike that will take a rack and fenders. Thinking a BD CX bike would fit the bill, but would really like a Lynskey. Could always buy the BD for the parts and sell the frame and fork.

I set a goal 1,000 miles less than I did last year. Mostly to avoid the stress of "getting miles in". The lower goal allowed me chose any route I wanted instead of the stress of meeting weekly averages. I did meet my goal this year, but was off the bike for 2 months because of a fractured arm.

I bought a new house that drastically cut my commute down, don't get me wrong I love riding my bike to work but I just got sick of 12 miles each way. I tend to work long shifts and I'm usually on my feet the entirety of it times that by six days a week and three miles each way starts sounding way better. I picked up loads of miles this year non commuting though as I'm training for my first tri in 2015 so I'm still getting the miles in just not to and from work.

This was the first year I commuted by bike and I would consider it success. Since making the decision to do so I have ridden more than I have driven, and that to me is a small victory. I'm just hoping to do the same in 2015.

It was a good year. I met the goals I had set, although barely on the total miles. I only want to exceed the last year for utility miles. No specific number. I had floated out 2000 for total miles. Made it by 1.4!:) Considering there were about 6 weeks in Jan. and Feb. I did not ride. I was fortunate to hit both numbers. I have started doing some slightly longer weekend rides so, I hope my total mileage number goes up for 2015.
Happy New Year everyone! Be safe and have fun.

The weather has been great here the last year. Only a few rainy days, lots of sunshine and tailwinds. I did do less miles this year than in other years which is a bit of a shame. Just under 200 days of commuting by bicycle, no week-long trips, I think I might just have reached the 7000 km mark this year.

A previous poster mentioned this is a retrospective thread but I´ll sneak in a goal for 2015: Just as nice weather as I had this year and just as many tailwinds for all of you.

Hey Miguel, you should do some brevets next year!

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I plan to do the whole series next year, and it would be fun to ride with you -- on a couple of 200k rides or populaires, if nothing else. :thumb:

I joined just this month and I've been reading the material they sent me. I'm planning on doing a 200 km and a 300 km. I'm looking forward to doing one with you. I'm not not so sure about the really long ones you like doing, :). Plus I want to do TOMRV in June.

Isn't someone who tours all over Iowa called a "candidate" ?

2013 was my trial run at full-time cycle commuting, and I gave myself a lot of latitude about driving when it was miserable, or accepting rides, generally trying to keep it fun. In 2014, cycle commuting became just another thing I do: still fun, often my favourite part of the day, but also a matter of routine so that I no longer considered it as a question each morning. I set a goal to ride 8000km in 2014, up from 5000km in 2013, and hit that goal with a few weeks to spare.

I learned a lot - a lot - about my bikes and about myself during that year of non-negotiable riding: bikes don't wear out as fast as forums might lead you to be believe, and obsessive maintenance can be its own kind of mistake; and there's a limit to how many days in a row you can push the pace. I got really sick this spring because I didn't want to take any breaks for illness and just kept making things worse. This year, following the pattern I've set in the last few months, I'm being more intentional in structuring my 'training' inside my commute rides, not just hammering every time I get on the bike.

2014 was a very good year; I've got great hopes for 2015!

Ha!

I didn't set any goals other then to not give in and:

• 1. ask someone for a ride
• 2. buy a car.

As such I hit my goals.

For me, 2014 was pretty chill commuting wise. I didn’t drive/ride a motorized vehicle more than five times. I no longer own a motorcycle. So, I’m thinking this year could be zero days in/on a motorized contraption.

Rober C. I dig your avatar. Hopefully, soon we can get someone like Teddy back in charge!

I started commuting to work and putting LOTS of miles on my road bike in May 2013, and finished 2013 with 2,500 total miles for the year. I just wanted to do at least 3K for 2014 and ended up doing over 3,600 miles. Had hoped 2,500 of that would be commuting but came in just short. Would have made it if I hadn't overslept yesterday.

The results are in:

tsl's 2014 Commuting Stats

208 workdays out of 212 (98%)
4,293.27 miles
279:40:34 time
15.51 Avg Speed
37.00 Max Speed
86 Avg Cadence
115 Max Cadence
139 Avg HR
173 Max HR

For several reasons I didn't get many recreational miles in this year. I tried to make up for it my using my longer routes commuting as much as possible. Looks like I succeeded.

82.6% of my miles in 2014 were commuting. For the record, had I used my direct route both ways every day, the total miles would have been only 1,872. I took the long way a lot. To the tune of about 55%.

I missed four days this year. Two in January were due to a mechanical. My left lever broke, and while I had a replacement in-stock and ready, I was out of bar tape. Doh! I lost a day each in February and March due to conditions.

What doesn't show up in the ride log is how many people I rode and chatted with. My long loop includes a portion of Adventure Cycling's transcontinental Northern Tier route. My commute to work is around lunchtime. In peak touring season I'd run into touring riders daily. Sometimes several of different groups.

Lots of Californians this year, but the record was a guy from Switzerland touring solo. Weirdest was a couple from Arkansas touring with their two huskies. The dogs absolutely refused to use the kiddie trailers. So they put their panniers and stuff in the kiddie trailers, and the dogs ran alongside. For thousands of miles through dozens of states.

This year I forgot on the one day I try to avoid my long loop. So I commuted west against 500 cyclists heading east on the Parks and Trails New York's annual Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour. You'll never see so many hybrids all in one place. It's not that I'm anti-social or anything, but it is a bit overwhelming riding against all that traffic.

I come across lots of locals too, naturally. I see lots of the same faces out for thier lunchtime spin. We talk when we're heading in teh same directions. Coming home too, even though my hours are weird. Like last night. It was snowing, there was about an inch on the ground, but I wanted some solitude so I too the long loop home. What I got instead was a wide ranging conversation with scientist from the University. We run into each other occassionally, so we've already exhausted all the small talk. Two old guys riding along in the dark, in the snow, sure beat the solitude I'd had planned.

I'll be back at it again on Monday. Happy New Year to all.

2014 was was of my best years on the bike. It wasn't simply because I set a record for miles ridden (7384), but because I hit a milestone commuting; over 5k for the year. I have a long commute; it's 46-48 miles round trip, depending on the route, and the ride home is all up hill. There's no way I could, or would want to do it 5 days a week all year; that said, the goal is always a minimum of 2 commutes per week, 3 if possible, and during the summer or spring when it's nice, I'll commit to doing blocks of 5 days when I feel like grinding it out.
My faithful commuter frame cracked late in the year, and was replaced with a Surly LHT frame, which so far, has been fantastic.
2014 also saw the arrival of a new trailer so I could run errands via bicycle. I liked it so much that I built an Xtracycle out of my old MTB so I could take on bigger loads. I've been a cyclist for what seems like an eternity, yet, I had never given serious consideration to actually "using" a bike for anything other than fitness, fun, and commuting. It turns out that I really love utility cycling.
As I look to 2015, my goal is simple; there are 7 days in the week. I want my car to stay in the driveway for at least 4 of those days. If I can do that, the miles and fitness will take care of themselves.
And finally, as much as I love to track on Strava, 2015 will be the year that I skip all the Strava Challenges, not because I have issue with them, but because doing a grocery run on a Sunday means more to me than going out and riding a Gran Fondo. If you're a Strava user like me, you'll know what I'm talking about. That said, there is a club on Strava that someone here set up, and it's pretty awesome; I'd encourage you to join. There are some people here that ride some serious miles!
http://www.strava.com/clubs/bike-forums-commuters
Here's to a great 2015 my fellow commuters!

New year, but same old habits. The old timer takes issue with anybody who attempts to use their bike for anything other than leisurely strolling from point A to point B. Using your bike to improve your physical fitness, setting performance goals or practicing new bike handling skills such as track stands or efficient climbing out of the saddle are all a big no-no if you are not a sponsored rider.

Getting back on topic, I only just learned how to ride this past summer and started commuting in the fall so I can't really do much of an assessment. My fitness did improve and I developed some really sculpted quads and calves, and within the first 5-6 weeks I managed to shave 4-5 mins off my commute (24 miles RT, 4 days a week) through improved cardiovascular fitness. The biggest improvement came after I started refueling using electrolyte water instead of regular water (shaved off a whopping 8-10mins!). Unfortunately all my gains got overshadowed by some fat I accumulated during a brief spell off the bike due to an injury. I was averaging close to 100 miles a week before my injury and now I'm doing a lot of cardio in the gym to get rid of the christmas pounds and get back to putting miles on my bike. Hoping 2015 will be as good as my pre-injury 2014.

Sucked out loud. Very limited commuting in a sucky year filled with personal and work turmoil, odd schedules, working too much, etc. Bah.

On the plus side, I'm reverting back to drop bars on my regular commuter because I hated the flat bar setup, and I got new Schwalbe Marathon Racers for my Birdy, which definitely give it a bit more zip while also being more conforming to road surfaces and grippier than the stock proprietary to Birdy Maxxis tires.

I moved so my commute is a few miles longer each way now. I've been enjoying the new scenery and it's fun to explore different routes.

Just wanted to expand on my other post above.

2014 was my first full year of bike commuting. Last winter my miles dropped off drastically from mid-November through to the Spring of this year. Part of that was illness. But this year I increased my commuting from 2 to 3 days a week as much as I can, so my mileage for this past November and December was far higher than in 2013.

Also in 2014 I started using my yellow bike for utility cycling much more. I rigged up my son's trailer with a platform and storage boxes and have taken that grocery shopping many times. I'm currently on my 3rd box configuration. First one was too small. Second version added another of the same box, but that ended up being too large, heavy, wind drag, etc. Now I got a slimmer box, but taller than the old ones, and a bit more curvy. It's at least 10 pounds lighter and should be less wind drag. I haven't had a chance to use it yet due to weather.

Also my parents moved from an hour away by car (~50 miles), to just 4 miles away from our house which takes 10 minutes by car or 20 minutes by bike at my speeds. It's been great.

But overall in 2014 I tried to use the bike as much as possible to replace car trips. One day back in the summer I replaced 4 separate car trips with 4 separate bike trips in one day. In the past 3 months I have only driven my car about 1,600 miles, but also commuted 1,200 miles in that same time. Contrast that to 10 years ago, I was living with my parents, driving 100 miles a day to work, putting 3,000 miles on the car every single month (same car I have today). I definitely do not miss those days.